'A Feminist MANIFESTO in 15 Suggestions'

Preamble

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has given us two quick reads that define modern feminism, i.e., "We Should All Be Feminists" and "A Feminist Manifesto in 15 Suggestions". 

This is not original work but a compilation of the framing concept of feminism, i.e., ‘I matter, and I matter equally’. Revel in motherhood, but never apologize for working. "You love what you do is a great gift to give your child.” (Marlene Sanders). Model the behavior and outlook you want to see in other women and all girls. Question who you see in roles like leaders of corporations or governments. Reject being invisible as an appendage to a male. Gender as it functions today is a grave injustice.

"A Feminist Manifesto in 15 Suggestions"

Suggestion #1: Be a whole person.

Being a whole person doesn’t mean you are ‘Doing it All’. It means reaching your full potential and equality at home.

Suggestion #2: Do It Together

Don’t be complicit in the role of father not meaning to care for kids or do housework or cooking. It is equally shared. Don’t allow the idea of women’s work.

Suggestion #3: Gender roles don’t exist in a feminist world.

Because you are a woman or a girl are never reasons for anything.

Suggestion #4: Be a full feminist.

You either believe in the full equality of men and women or you do not. There is no Feminism Lite

Suggestion #5: Read. Love Books and Reading

Reading Opens up the world to all of us.

Suggestion #6: Question the language used.

Language is a repository of our prejudices, our beliefs, our assumptions.

Suggestion #7: Don’t look at marriage as an accomplishment

Aspiring to marriage is not an achievement. Marriages can be happy or unhappy, but not something you have to have on your list.

Suggestion #8: Reject likability

Focus on job, family, friends to be your full self, a self that is honest and aware of the equal humanity of other people

Suggestion #9: Continue to build your identity

Embrace the positive aspects of culture versus the negative. Reject the parts of society that cause pain and suffering and don’t embrace equality.

Suggestion #10: Be deliberate about how you engage with others. Don't focus on women’s appearances.

Reject the idea that a woman is beautiful versus smart and fit. Don’t fall into the trap of saying she is so nice because she is a lot more than that.

Suggestion #11: Question our culture’s selective use of biology as ‘reasons’ for social norms.

Don’t accept dual standards, e.g., male promiscuity. Don’t play into male superiority. They may be stronger than us in general, but they can’t carry a baby, go through childbirth, or nurse a baby.

Suggestion #12: Treat sex with respect as fulfilling and loving acts.

Suggestion #13: Know that love is give and take.

Love means equal in jobs, housework, child-rearing, household monies.

Suggestion #14: In viewing oppression, be careful not to turn the oppressed into saints. Saintliness is not a prerequisite for dignity.

Suggestion #15: Make difference ordinary, normal.

Don’t attach value to difference not to be fair or nice, but to be human and practical.