Feminism

In a day and age where sometimes the word feminism is considered foul I am proud to see such strong wonderful examples in our news.

Liberia and Chile have both shown the world this month that they are ready for a new start. They have not just elected a woman to run their country but chosen a person who is prepared to bring them out of the oppression and bloodshed that they have lived in for decades. This is what feminism has been waiting for. To not see women as the same as men but to see them as equals in intelligence but that emotional differences in men and women can actually be beneficial to our world. Recently, a scientific study showed that men actually have pleasure reactions to another person being punished for a wrong doing, where as women showed concern and empathy for the same instance. Liberia and Chile both have decided that they wanted presidents that don't forget their past but forgive it. They want the past remembered, but also see the only way to move into the future and become part of the new world order is to forgive these past oppressors.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has a lot of challenges in her future. Liberia is 80% illiterate, over half their citizens don't even have electricity or running water and maybe worst of all Liberia needs to find a balance with the United States as they ask for help in repaying or canceling their extraordinary debt while also reigning in on such American companies as Firestone who have made a career out of stealing their natural resources. Liberian citizens have shown the world that they want a chance. They chose a women who left the country for a strong Harvard education when an education couldn't be found in Liberia but returned to her country. She has been a political prisoner twice in her lifetime but continues to remain patriotic and proud to be a Liberian. She shows her people that anger makes you no better then your oppressor. She shows her people that kindness and strength can be synonymous and their relationship together will bring Liberia into the 21st century. She brings forth womanly emotions and shows her people and the world these traits are jewels to be treasured not weaknesses that need to be hidden.

I am proud to be categorized in a group with people as President Johnson Sirleaf and Bachelet. I hope that this is the direction that feminism continues to develop. I hope that other women see how good it is to be a woman. I hope that pride and strength and kindness continue to grow in our minds and hearts. And I hope that we bring back that the power that comes with being part of a group. I hope we support these people as strong women as they support us as strong women.