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by Jillian Morgan '00 and Sarah Martin '03 "Men-haters" and "lesbians" are common terms throw about when people stereotype feminists. Oftentimes, feminists are thought to be irrational, malevolent women that promote female superiority over men. Even in the international community, feminists may be considered radicals. However, as actual pioneers of feminism and advocates of peace and equality, we have expected and even demanded equality for all women regardless of cultural ideals and traditions. After being exposed to various cultures around the globe, we have modified our views on feminism. According to Webster's Riverside Dictionary II, feminism is defined as "advocacy of the political and socioeconomic equality of men and women." In relation to other cultural definitions, feminism is not considered a popular way of perceiving the roles of women in society. We have often faced opposition to the cause of promoting equality. After interacting with women of other cultures, we have found that "feminism" is an ambiguous term viewed, accepted, and pursued within varying cultures. Within many Latin American cultures, the "Machismo Factor" is prevalent and generally accepted in society. Even revolutionaries, such as Emiliano Zapata engaged in excess drinking and multiple sex partners in order to be considered a "real man." We find it amusing that "machoism" is accepted in many cultures, but feminism, the movement supporting equality for all people, is considered a nuisance. By belittling feminism, attention is thus also drawn away from other pressing needs in society, such as education and healthcare. Many things must be taken into consideration when implementing our feminist views in the international community. How can we, as feminists in the western world, understand women's needs when we continue to view the world through the eyes of our own cultures? In order to come to a better understanding of the goals of feminism around the world we must look at concrete examples of how women interact in society within their own cultural boundaries. For instance, many western feminists regard the veil worn often in the Middle East as a sign of female inferiority. Some would even say that the veil should be abolished. Can we truly say something that is integral to a culture is wrong? Shouldn't we first show love, understanding, and knowledge towards another culture before we pass judgments? Not all Middle Eastern countries view the veil in the same light. In Turkey women take the veil as sign of pride for their heritage as well as rebellion against their mothers who have given up the veil to become more westernized. By contrast, the women of Afghanistan are forced to take the veil and are not allowed to voice their opinions. Therefore, one cannot come to the conclusion that the veil is a sign of oppression in all societies. Although being open-minded is vital to feminist philosophy, one must also be wary of certain cultural practices that are detrimental and degrading to women. This can be demonstrated through the tradition of female genital mutilation in a few African tribal practices. In Morocco, sociology professors compare female circumcision to male circumcision. This notion that males undergo similarly horrific procedures is preposterous and a denigration to victimized women. The threat to life for males is not prevalent as it is with women within the circumcision process. Women may endure an extreme loss of blood, mobility, and sexual sensation, and in many cases even die. Women are compelled to continue this devastating ritual to avoid being seen as an outcast or prostitute. Feminist ideology, in this case, would promote the idea that women need to realize that genital mutilation is morally unacceptable to the human race. Feminists must be open-minded, but at the same time, never accept the degrading and demoralizing practices women endure on a daily basis, whether it be female circumcision or other brutal and unnecessary acts. As soon as feminists from all over the world consider cultural differences, a unified fight for equality within the human race will be possible.
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