You’ve heard it a million times: Donald Trump is president.
But what does that mean for all of the feminists out there who will probably be under more scrutiny compared to the eight years of the Obama administration?
Don’t fret yet. Just because our president isn’t a feminist, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be.
Remain Positive
An ideal world would be blind to gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and other aspects of humanity that divide us. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Remember to treat everyone you meet with respect. If you don’t respect someone because of who they voted for, you can’t ask for the same respect in return. It is a difficult time to be a woman, no one is denying that, but it is important to understand that a world of respect has to start with you.
If you feel you are being discriminated against, do not be afraid to speak out about it. Even though respect is important, speaking out against discrimination is even more crucial these days. Try to take a bad situation and find the good. Now that we are not in a presidency that supports women and other minorities, it is time to speak up to promote the equality.
Educate Others
Some people are feminists but refuse to define themselves as such because they think feminists are angry and aggressive. Don’t play into this stereotype when you educate others about what it means to be a feminist. Doing so will only hurt the feminist cause. Keep calm and be patient, even if someone is disrespecting you. Being a “man hater” isn’t feminism, and it isn’t worth it. Show everyone what a real feminist stands for: equality!
Fight Against Discrimination
It seems like the upper-levels of our government will be turning a blind eye to social justice for the next four years, but there’s a lot to be done at the grassroots level. Go to rallies, join organizations, speak out and VOTE. Vote for politicians who advocate for women in the workplace and women’s healthcare rights so your beliefs can be put into action.
You can find resources for feminist activism here: http://feminist.com/activism/
Above All, Keep Your Head Held High
Love yourself – it sounds cheesy, but loving yourself is important, not just for yourself but also for people who would stand in your way. Loving yourself is how you say, “my humanity matters.”
For example, love your body to fight the misconception that an attractive female has only a certain set of traits. This means that you dress how you want in order to make yourself feel good – you can wear high heels and makeup if you like it. But don’t wear them if you feel uncomfortable, or if you feel you’re doing it because someone told you to.