Humans first!

Lately, I've been pondering over the implicit fallacies of mankind... about our faulty defenses, our misperceptions, our errored attributions, our misconstrued beliefs, and everything else that is collectively wrong with us. It was triggered by the ritualistic rekindling of bra-burning feminism on the occasion of Women's Day. Perhaps, procrastinating this note has added on a lot to it. And since, by wishing to include all of it in one piece of writing I risk coherence, I have, with much trouble, decided to stick to only one aspect - what triggered it in the first place - gender.

Once upon a time, I was all for equality between men and women. Generations before us fought for it, we still continue to. But perhaps, we are building on a flawed foundation. Is there really anything like equality between men and women?

I strongly believe that women and men are built differently. Equal rights are one thing. But to compare two qualitatively different entities is a quest that will never have satisfactory results. It is irrelevant to look into how this war between genders originated. However, we can't sacrifice generation after generation in a struggle for something not only unachievable, but also emotionally devaluing. There are certain characteristics that are common to everyone - men and women alike. But there are a lot more that are exclusive to each. I don't understand androgyny. What defines it anyway? For years, women have struggled to prove themselves worthy of the same jobs as men, the same social status etc. Well, we have done a pretty decent job... but somewhere along the line, haven't we lost ourselves?

By consistently trying to equate ourselves with men, we are telling the world that we believe we are inferior. Inferiority isn't even a factor here. Because there can be no hierarchy between two things that are mutually exclusive. I believe that the constant need for women to be at par with men has arisen as a result of misinterpretation of religion and culture. It arises from the inferior notion of women that is promoted primarily by religious fundamentalists, aiming at constraining something that they might find potentially overpowering. Of course, women have also introjected certain unreasonable notions. But, keeping aside the complexities of the process, let’s try to realize here that we’re chasing something that exists only in our minds!

Whenever there is a difference between two entities, there is always a battle about which one is better, which is ‘right’… why? Why can’t we try and foster acceptance and respect for our differences, instead of continually wearing ourselves out trying to be something we aren’t?

And why is it even an issue? Do we see men prancing around in pink panties and painted nails, telling the world that they’re as good as women? Then why do we undermine our femininity?

Being a believer in individuality of all, despite gender differences, I hate talking about men and women as separate entities. Everything I have written above lacks conviction, not because I don’t believe in it, but because I believe in something beyond the sex of a person! So, let’s try to look at ourselves and others as humans before we do as men or women!