Thinking about it ?

by Betsy Chasse (director of the film, What the Bleep Do We Know?#!)

Here’s a radical thought: the only reason we even have the word 'feminist' is because men hijacked civilization like schoolyard bullies who stole the ball and then declared themselves team captain forever.

Patriarchy wasn’t ordained by the stars; it was basically a centuries-long smash-and-grab.

Men rewrote laws, rewrote history, rewrote God, and - voilà! Suddenly they’re the 'default' human being.

Everyone else? Congratulations, you’re the side characters.

That’s why feminism had to exist in the first place: to call bullshit. It was never about women trying to 'be equal to men', as if men are the grand prize we’re all dying to win. Equality isn’t asking for a seat at their lopsided table; it’s pointing out the table itself is cracked, wobbly, and probably infested with termites.

Of course, the word 'feminist' quickly became the insult of choice. “Oh, you’re a feminist?” Translation: You dared to notice the emperor is strutting around butt-naked and now everyone’s uncomfortable. Suddenly, empathy and compassion are radical, dangerous ideas. Because apparently, giving a damn about women, people of color, or anyone not sitting on the throne of privilege is just too much for fragile male egos to handle.

And let’s be real: look around. Men have been in charge for, oh, basically forever, and what a stellar job they’ve done: Wars on repeat, the climate circling the drain, billionaires hoarding yachts while kids go hungry, women’s rights fluctuating like bad Wi-Fi depending on which state line you cross… Bravo, gentlemen. Truly, a masterclass in 'leadership'.

The house is on fire, and the guys with the matches are still insisting they’re the 'standard' we should all aspire to.

So no, I’m not a feminist.

Not because I don’t believe in it, but because I shouldn’t have to carry that label just to demand what should be obvious.

I’m a human being expecting to be treated like a human being, and holding myself to that same standard.

I’m a person. Full stop.

When we finally stop treating 'feminist' like it’s a dirty word and start holding Patriarchy accountable for the flaming garbage heap it is, maybe then we’ll get somewhere. Until then, let’s be clear: men are not the end-all, be-all they convinced themselves to be.