Women's Rights Employment Law Blog: Why am I a feminist

SHANNON LEDGER in Feministing.com offers a case for her being a feminist--

No matter how far I come to think we have evolved as a movement and as a society, somebody is always there to remind me of just how much work there is still to be done. I am a feminist, no doubt about it. And although I'm fairly positive that this aspect of myself naturally shines through upon meeting someone, I still get that sort of dumbfounded facial expression when this realization occurs, which is almost always followed up with that doubtful, snooty question of "Why?" Why am I a feminist.
Are you serious? You actually need an explanation for my fight for equality?
"But, really, what is there to still be fighting for?" That's another one I've grown accustomed to hearing.

So.

Fed up with being knocked off my feminist high-horse, I've decided to explain myself, once and for all. Please keep in mind that my reasoning is not limited to the following; but rather the following is to serve as a little peek into my mind. Hopefully, it will allow you to see through the eyes of your feminist loved one a little more clearly, or perhaps you yourself can relate to my frustrations and that feeling of reciprocating dumbfoundedness when I am asked, "Why are you a feminist?" Well, here it goes folks. Listen and listen hard, because I refuse to respond to this ridiculous question a second time.

Why am I a Feminist!?

**Because I am still being asked this god damned question.
**Because I have to watch my creeps who prowl the streets at night just waiting to act out their hatred.
**Because almost every profession to date has been, and remains to be dominated by men.
**Because the majority of people on welfare are women who have been left to fend for their families by the fathers of the children. All this in a world that's already doing enough to work against them in the first place.
**Because women-made art is still viewed as an exception to the rule, to the perfection of "regular" man-made art.
**Because a woman's right to control her own fucking body is still a heavily debated issue.
**Because, due to the stigmas that our culture has attached to the idea, many women are still hesitant to stand up for their gender---To say, "Yes, I am a woman and I am a feminist."
**Because women's bodies are used as sexual objects to sell everything from beer to automobiles and everything in between.
**Because many men are still threatened by a woman that's got her shit together.
*Because douche is still on the market.
*Because we as women have yet to vanquish the animosity ---the jealousy--- that we are taught to feel towards one another.
*Because one in four college-aged women has some sort of eating disorder.
*Because the history of women and minorities is still only considered on their designated holidays.
*Because the movement has yet to succeed in meeting the needs of women who are not white and middle class.
*Because men in my past have tried to force me into the role of the damsel in distress.
(a feeble attempt mind you. Raaawr!)
*Because I know what it's like to be mistreated on the job solely based upon my being female.
*Because I can count the men I know who consider themselves to be feminist on less than one hand.
*Because most girls I know won't get in the pit at a show for fear of being pummeled to death by big beefy guys who can't be bothered to notice the human face they just stomped on. Fuck you, We're not your fucking coat racks!
*Because not a day goes by where I don't hear a fellow woman being referred to as a "slut," or some other splendidly humiliating name.
*Because I know what it feels like to be the one in four.
*Because it took a tragedy like 9-11 for the world to consider the Taliban a threat to humankind.
*Because we still live in a world of misogyny.
And because society has yet to give me a reason NOT to be.