Feminism & Hypocrisy – “Maybe it’s just me?”

At a time where the Female generation is in the spotlight, we are forced to be evaluate ourselves as women & individuals. We are told to be “Female Warriors” of our time. But I ask this – Are we really all feminists? Or are some of us just hypocrites?

The definition of “Feminist” states … “a person who supports feminism…” – But what does this really mean? Which women do we really support? Are we more likely to support the previous Glamour Model with a fruitful past or the mother of three living quietly in the house on the end of the road with the white picket fence? Then ask yourself why? Are we really supporting feminism on ALL levels?

Or are we all really “selective feminists”? – This is something I will come back to shortly.

The recent election of President Donald Trump has sparked outrage worldwide & led to the influx of Feminist marches, debates & even hate campaigns. These have been backed by a number of female celebrities. One in particular - Madonna who has famously declared her opinion on Trump in a rather “no holds barred approach” during the Women’s March in Washington last week. Wearing a black & white slogan T-shirt citing the Marie Shear Quote “Feminism is the radical notion that women are people” she was welcomed by thousands of fellow “feminists” who hung on her every word. Just a few including “… I have thought an awful lot of blowing up the White House…” – apparently this is acceptable? I pose this as a question due to the fact that if any said other individual was to make such preposterous comments it would in fact be seen as not only horrific but as a criminal offence. So WHY I ask is Madonna allowed to recite such hateful words & be not only praised for it but probably “let off” by the Criminal Justice System. The reality of her comments are not only ridiculous but portraying the fact that by committing such crime as she so proudly protests to fantasise about – she would destroy the lives of hundreds of families, WOMEN and children. But it’s OK – You’re Madonna right? You can say what you want & nobody will say anything because it’s “all in the name of “feminism” – call me cynical but I don’t know any self-respecting woman who would glorify another woman for saying such comments. But maybe it’s just me?

Personally I am unsure where a fantasy involving bombing the White House fit into a Women’s March in Washington – but again – maybe it’s just me? Are we not supposed to support each other as women in spite of our Political opinions? Shall we not let them unite us? Rather than bring us down to such a level of hatred & plain stupidity?

This brings me nicely on to my next point.

Whilst one Trump is dominating the Political world – another is retaining the controversy in the Fashion world; The First Lady Melania Trump – a former model; has been the topic of high debate recently after a number of designers including Tom Ford & Marc Jacobs refused to dress her for the inauguration. Ford has stated in the past Melania is “…not necessarily my image…” & most recently stated “…Personally, I’d rather put my energy into helping out those who will be hurt by Trump and his supporters…”

Admittedly, perhaps it is because I am not an American citizen that I do not understand their argument as well as I should? However – regardless of Political stance are we all not supposed to be supporting women? Celebrating their beauty inside & out & channelling that through each other & society? I am a firm believer in the fact that a woman is not defined by her man & vice versa. She is her own person & surely she should be addressed as one? Or is it more the fact that a rebellion against The First Lady is merely a method of using her as a scapegoat to convey their hatred towards her husband? It seems so. For years, French –born designer Sophie Theallet has been dressing The First Lady – regardless of public opinion & one can only assume Political Stance. However, she has now stated she will not dress Melania & has even encouraged other designers to join the boycott against her.

Doesn’t seem very “feminist” to me?

And why? Because she does not agree with her husband’s decisions or opinions. If this was her issue & hers alone I could accept this. However, this is not the case. To see one woman champion a war against another woman (which may I add, is extremely one sided) – is absurd to me. As women we are told to support each other- regardless of any prejudice. However, it is very apparent in this situation that this is not the case. It seems too much of a playground bully situation to me.

And this is why I come back to the term “selective feminism.”

As women, or more importantly “feminists” surely we cannot pick & choose when to support each other? And certainly not when it is based on the Political stance of a man?

Maybe we should use the term “selective misogyny?” instead? The selective discrimination of certain women; according to any external political, social or economic factors?

However, it is extremely refreshing to see Designers such as Tommy Hilfiger & Diane Von Furstenburg embrace The First Lady & exclude themselves from all discrimination against her. In a recent interview Diane stated “…Melania deserves the respect of any first lady before her. Our role as part of the Fashion Industry is to promote beauty, inclusiveness, diversity. We should each be the best we can be and influence by our example.”

Hilfiger has also discussed his approval for the First Lady “…I think that Melania is a very beautiful woman and I think any designer should be proud to dress her…”

To conclude, I would like to be extremely firm on the purpose of this article. As women we are told every day to fight for our rights. Don’t back down. And so on. Which I wholeheartedly agree with. Everyday women all over the world are fighting for basic human rights – the right not to be raped on a daily basis or to have their genitals mutilated - let alone higher pay in Western society. However, I am questioning whether we are compartmentalizing feminism in such a way that it is almost being manipulated into low level discrimination? We recently saw Marie Grazia Chiuri’s first Couture Show for Dior champion feminism by creating the slogan tee “WE SHOULD ALL BE FEMINISTS” celebrated worldwide. Does this count for men too? Are they championing their stance on feminism? And if so to what level? Or can they even have a stance without being a woman themselves? We are seeing this message on a daily basis – yet in the same breath slamming women such as Melania & rejoicing in the words of Madonna. It has become apparent to me in today’s society we are extremely quick to judge; not just as women but as human beings & our view can become extremely slanted.

If we are going to protest to be feminists – does this not include women such as Melania? Or the single mum on welfare with six mouths to feed? No?