Why I call myself egalitarian

 The current 21st century 2024 world that we live in is an era where labels seem to, rightly or wrongly, shape people's identities. I think choosing the right choice of terminology carries significant weight. For me, that choice lies between the word 'feminist' or the word 'egalitarian'. And whilst both, in principle, are about equality, I find myself gravitating more towards the latter. Actually, it's not even a case of me gravitating towards the latter, I'm fully waving the egalitarian flag, no doubt about it. Some people may be offended by that; some may think I have a good point, but I'm going to address the reasons why I prefer the latter in this blog post.

Firstly, I want to clarify that if we use the classic traditional definition of feminism- the belief that women should be equal to men and to break down gendered stereotypes and expectations- then I am a feminist in that sense. As a woman I'm all about equality and I'm totally on board with that branch of feminism, fighting for equal rights for everyone regardless of what's between their legs. I've seen firsthand the struggles and inequalities that exist in our society. I've faced discrimination, stereotypes, and the pressure to fit into certain gender roles. So believe me when I say I'm all for fighting the good fight for gender equality.

However, the term feminist has unfortunately become somewhat tarnished in recent years- I think a lot of radical factions of feminism have emerged, spouting horrific misandrist views, and perpetuating double standards that completely undermine the original feminist movement's core principles. And as a result, I feel the term "feminist" has become hijacked by these radical voices, promoting and propagating an us-vs-them mentality, where they paint men as the enemy and promote divisiveness rather than inclusivity. This is not the feminism I signed up for, and I refuse to align myself with a label that's been distorted to promote hatred or discrimination against 50% of the population. A label that's been hijacked by extremists who don't represent the values I stand for. I'm not about to buy into the whole "men are the enemy" narrative or the idea that women should be put on a pedestal above them. That's not equality; that's just flipping the script. So many have used the term "feminism" to mean bashing men and pushing a whole "women are superior" mindset, and that's really not my thing. It's like the message got lost in translation. Instead of focusing on equality and empowerment, some folks have turned it into a platform for spreading hate and division. And that's just not cool.

That's where egalitarianism comes into play. At its core, egalitarianism advocates for equality for everyone regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, or any other label society slaps on them. Egalitarian is a label that's completely free from the divisive connotations that have plagued the word 'feminism' in some circles. As an egalitarian, I don't care whether you're a man or woman- I seek to address inequalities wherever they exist. I will address misogynistic expectations, misandristic expectations, and criticise outdated gender roles as and when I see them. So, when I say I'm an egalitarian, I'm basically saying, "Hey, let's all just be cool to each other, okay?" It's like feminism but without the drama. Egalitarianism is all about equality for everyone, no matter who you are or where you come from. It's about tearing down walls, not building them up. It's about recognizing that we're all human beings deserving of the same rights and opportunities.

I feel that by embracing the egalitarian label, I'm reaffirming my commitment to equality whilst simultaneously distancing myself from the toxicity that's tainted the feminist label, because I refuse to be associated with misandry or any form of discrimination- egalitarianism gives me a platform to champion the purest form of equality.

As humans, it's our job to work together- none of that "only men should sort out male problems" or "only women should sort out female problems" nonsense- we're humans, we're united, and the only we can achieve any significant progress is to work together. I don't care if you're male, female, black, white, gay, straight, cis, trans, able-bodied, disabled-  humans should be supporting their fellow humans as people; not solely on the basis of their genders, sexualities, races etc- the ultimate goal is equality, and I feel egalitarianism invites everyone to the table. Egalitarianism doesn't play favourites. It's not about elevating one group above another or tearing anyone down. It's about levelling the playing field so that everyone has a fair shot at success, happiness, and fulfilment.

I understand that a lot of labels can be divisive, so let's embrace one that unites us all in our pursuit for equality. Let's reject the narrow mindedness and bigotry that have tainted the feminist movement in recent years, and champion a vision of egalitarianism where we're all uplifted and empowered. I believe the future should be one where equality for all is a reality rather than a just ideal, and the only way to achieve that is to work together. Plus, as a woman, I'm not about to buy into any of that misandrist nonsense or double standards. We're all in this together, folks. It's not about pitting one gender against another; it's about lifting each other up and making sure everyone has a fair shot at happiness and success. So yeah, call me an egalitarian. It's a label that's all about unity, understanding, and, most importantly, just being real. Let's ditch the drama and focus on what really matters: making the world a better place for everyone, one step at a time. So yeah, call me an egalitarian. Call me someone who believes in equality, plain and simple. Because at the end of the day, that's what it's all about: creating a world where everyone can thrive, regardless of who they are or where they come from. And as a woman, I'm proud to stand up for that vision.