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I am a woman, and I am most definitely not a feminist. This may be shocking to some, because feminism is currently quite trendy in media, pop culture, and literature. Every book and movie is immediately required to have a "strong female protagonist". Though I admire Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as a motivational speaker and masterful author of fiction, I cannot agree with her much-lauded speech, We Should All Be Feminists. In this speech, Adichie seems to be focused on the concept of gender binaries: the different ways in which men and women are treated within modern society. She focuses on the systematic oppression women have faced in the past, and while this is a valid topic, I fail to see how we can attain true equality if we keep focusing on the perception of women as unequal. By highlighting the ways in which women have been stigmatized, and what occurs when they speak out, Adichie is creating a definite divide between the sexes. Though she does speak on the concept of toxic masculinity and how it affects young boys, they are decidedly a separate category. Why does this binary still have to be upheld? Can we not accept that we live in a postmodern society where women are afforded the same opportunities, rights, and status as men? I realize I am speaking from a Western, first-world perspective. And in some parts of the world, women's rights is still a battle that must be fought, in which Adichie's speech still applies. Yet having grown up in Canada I cannot recall one instance where I have been treated with sexism. And shouldn't I, as a postmodern woman, be able to choose my own beliefs, both political and personal? I do not feel that I should participate in a Woman's March or subject people to rants about the patriarchy. I am a human being, first and foremost. I do not feel a particular allegiance or kinship for those who simply happen to share a gender with me.

I am neither my brother nor my sister's keeper.

I found your view on feminism interesting as many do not usually oppose it but I think an important part of feminism is missing from your view. Feminism is a global movement that takes place around the world. You do speak about how you have a first world perspective on feminism in Canada and how you have not dealt with it as an issue but I think it is important to know that there are still issues within Canada as well. For instance not being paid the same amount as men is one example of ways women fight to be equal to men through feminism. Also movements like the Woman's March in western countries often lead to more movements around the world where other battles still need to be fought that Adichie's speech applies too. It is also important to mention that feminism is often confused with oppressing men where feminism is suppose to represent equally for everyone. Social media and new ways of seeing these movements across the global can impact so many lives to help people around the global be treated with equality.

Rodrica, I share the same reaction as you towards the main post. I agree entirely about the fact that feminism is surely a global issue, but most importantly, it has and still does take place in our first-world country, Canada. Notvladimirputin, I appreciate what you have said in your post, but I would have to agree with Rodrica’s point that simpy because you have lived in a first-world country (Canada) and have not experienced feminism yourself, does not diminish the fact that it does not exist anymore. I believe that it has been present and still is an issue in Canada. Rodrica added some valuable, major supporting evidence that antifeminism still exists in parts of Canada. I can voucher that feminism not only still exists in major issues such as women and men not being paid equally, but it is definitely still instilled in the small everyday mentalities of people. For example, I can personally say that some of my male family members have an antifeminist attitude towards the women in my family. I remember an instance in high school when I was looking for part-time work and I was hired by Old Navy, in the Oshawa Centre. I was so excited and told my whole family and one of my male family members did not return the excitement back, but instead said, “you don’t need a job, stay in the kitchen, woman!” It broke my heart to not have the support from all of your family, but I understood his thinking was wrong. It is sad how even though we do live in a first-world country, feminism strongly remains in cultured families, especially European families such as my own, in which male-chauvinistic mind-sets are instilled in the minds through generations. This doesn’t go to say from my example that men are the culprits, but women too share the same mentality because some are taught this mentality, just as men.

This is indeed an interesting topic, and one that is highly debated. While the original poster addresses the issues of pointing out a divide between the sexes, I disagree that an emphasis of this divide will only lead to further inequality. It is through pointing out these divides that we are able to improve on the inequality between sexes. This now not only includes the female/male division but also the LGBTQIA communities. Of course, as with all movements there are extremists who create a bad rep for feminism, but many of these modern issues are pertinent and need to be addressed. I agree with previous posters that while sexism may be more prominent in other countries, there are still quite a number of issues in our own backyard. I disagree with Adichie that "everyone" should be a feminist, but I believe she makes some good arguments for the rights of women, especially women of colour. As for the issue with the girls being refused access to the plane, I read a follow-up article to the story that talks about how they were supposed to be part of the business class and were representing the company name. Not that this condones the refusal at all, just might shed some light on the fact that it was less of a feminist issue and more of a problem with adhering to the business attire dress code for the United Airlines company travel guidelines.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2017/03/26/two-girls-barred-from-united-flight-for-wearing-leggings/?utm_term=.7a8ddcd183b8

As I read through this thread I can understand the thought process of the original post. Feminism is seen by many people as a way to continue the divide between sexes; to raise women above men. I do not, however, agree with this assessment. As a woman, and a feminist, I believe it is very important for everyone to be a feminist, regardless of gender. Feminism is defined as the equality of the sexes, through particularly social, economic, political, etc. issues. When Adichie mentions the systematic issues of the past which feminists have faced, I believe it is important to remind ourselves of the importance of these issues. Less than 100 years ago women did not have the right to vote, could not own property or a business, divorce their husbands, etc., the list goes on and on and it is because of the waves of feminism that many women today have these rights. Not every woman around the world has these rights however, they are still fighting. As a woman I cannot live in a world built by feminists and besmirch woman who have not won these rights yet by stating that it does not apply to me. They are still fighting and so should we. Furthermore, although your statement that you have never experienced oppression or sexism of any sort is personal, I find it hard to believe. I have worked in customer service for three and a half years now and every day at work I am belittled. When a male customer calls me sweetheart or baby or princess it is an act of oppression; a reminder that I am a woman serving this man. I experience sexist comments, names, and looks on a daily basis. Yes I am a woman, yes I am oppressed, and yes I am a feminist.