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Entertainment of Wednesday, 21 June 2017

Source: yen.com.gh

Let's not fight those who don't get us – Lydia Forson writes to feminists

Lydia Forson Lydia Forson

Barely a day after popular comedian DKB's Instagram rant against feminists, it looks the storm he stirred up is just about getting even more interesting.

Star actress Lydia Forson, who is strongly vocal about her feminist ideals, has penned a letter to all feminists.

While it is not explicitly indicated that the letter is in response to DKB's post, Lydia seems to have found a need to write this letter explaining to all, who feminists are and why they are important In her letter, Lydia asks feminists to pay no heed to persons who attack them without prior knowledge or understanding of what the feminist movement stands for.

She explained that feminism is not about man-hating or a cry against marriage and motherhood, as many feminists are married with children, naming Ghanaian author Malaka Grant and Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie as among strong feminists who are married and are mothers.

She further explained that feminism is not just about women, but about men as well as it is a fight for gender equality, and the right for people to decide for themselves what they can and cannot do with their bodies or lives.

Below is her full letter:

Dear Feminist,

Let's not fight those who don't get us; especially those who continue to promote the stereotype that has followed the movement for years because of the actions of some and the misconception of others.

Instead let's try to educate them, seeing that a lot of them don't seem to know any better or what the word feminism even means.

If that doesn't work IGNORE and save your energy for a fight that's really worth it.

But here's a little education for those needing it.

1. We don't hate men, we just don't like the abusive, oppressive and chauvinist type; we also don't believe our world "should" revolve around them if we don't want it to. (Honey if you want your world to revolve around your man, go right ahead knowing you did it by CHOICE).

2. We don't hate marriage, we just don't believe it's a MUST for every woman, or there's a timeline for when you should just to please society.

3. A lot of feminist are married and even stay at home wives. Author Malaka Grant is a wonderful mother of 4 a stay at home mom and one of the strongest feminist I know. Famed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is equally married with a child. My sis Hajia-Xalia Qassim is equally a mother, wife and a strong feminist. **So where's the proof that feminist hate marriage or never marry.

4. Feminism isn't a word limited to only women, but men too. Because it's all about the fight for equality irrespective of gender; if you're a man and you believe this, you're a feminist.

5. Feminism has no age, class or "look". How you dress, the job you do, your lifestyle etc doesn't determine if you're more or less of a feminist. You can wear a mini skirt, a hijab or dress like a tomboy and still be a feminist.

Ultimately it's about having the right to have a say in how we live our lives, what we do with our bodies etc regardless of how you may feel about it.

You don't have to LIKE what we stand for, but you have to respect our right to do so.

On that note; listen ain't no body got time to be fighting battles that will only exhaust and drain us, if you don't want to be educated we'll take a back seat, get some popcorn and watch you entertain us with your ignorance.