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The Misconception About Feminism
Dear Readers,
I'm often very bewildered at the ignorance of Bahamian society surrounding the subject of "feminism". It seems that some individuals simply detest what the movement represents and Bahamian men in particular, have misconstrued the topic as solely to mean "women who don't need a man". In order to understand what a 'feminist' is, we must first understand what the word actually means. The Oxford Dictionary defines feminism as "the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes." This definition in its entirety states that feminism is meant to uplift and support women as equals in every aspect of society. For some reason though it seems that some among us have observed that men supporting feminism is somehow wrong or disgusting. This idea is based on the male chauvinistic belief that a woman should never rise above a man; nor can she be equal to him in any way. The real question is though, Does the concept of a woman being equal to a man somehow make men feel less than women? And why do some men feel that way? A few days ago I ordered a matching t-shirt set for myself and my daughter. The word "Feminist" is printed on the front of the T-shirt. I decided to wear my shirt the other day and a middle-aged man at the gas station shouted "Oh so you don't need a man?!" I asked him what he meant, and his response was "...you are one of those women who thinks she better than man that's why you all fall the way you do; trying to go against what God intended!" Huh? When did supporting political, economic and social equality become equivalent to going against Gods plan? Saying that I want equality and deserve the right to be treated equally to my male counterparts, suddenly disturbs the divine order that God created? I think not! Women in The Bahamas do not have LEGAL equal rights, we are second-class citizens in our homes without the rights to pass on our citizenship to the children whom we CARRY and BIRTH, nor are we allowed to pass citizenshsip on to our foreign spouses in the same way that men are. For women working in male dominated fields and offices, Sexual Harrassment, Discrimination and Blatant Sexism are often par for the course and translate into less opportunities for career advancement. For lots of women aspiring to improve their lot in life, "feminism" breaks the traditional rule or law, and turns male dominance into a thing of the past. Was this man telling me that my wanting to make a difference in society weather it is socially, economically or politically and as women is an affront to GOD? Is he saying that I can't? Is he implying that I as a woman, do not deserve the right to have a seat at the table? The time has come for mothers to begin raising their CHILDREN to believe and understand that equality is NOT a threat, but an inalienable RIGHT! Despite what some people think, it is okay to question a man, when the answer does not seem to fit the right way in a sentence. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie said it best "We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller, we say to girls "You can have ambition but not too much, you should aim to be successful, but not too successful, otherwise you will threaten the man" Why are we programming our Bahamian women to be imprisoned by mental slavery? Mothers, you have a responsibility to your daughters. You must teach them to be strong, teach them to be educated, teach them to stand up for their right to equality, teach them to be "feminists". Yes, feminists! We also have to teach our SONS to see girls and women as their equals. As partners who must work together and NOT as someone to boss around, use or abuse. Bahamian society needs strong women willing to look towards a future driven by respect and equality for all individuals. Please ladies and gentlemen, remember: "Feminism" is not a dirty word, it does not mean that you hate men, it simply means that you believe in equality; the same equality our nation builders have fought for over the decades. Feminism+ Feminist+ Strong Women = Equality.
#242Editor |
Govt Buying Grand Lucayan?: 'No Fear' Hotel workers "have no fear" over the government's potential Grand Lucayan acquisition, a union leader yesterday saying it will "never allow" the resort's closure. #Michelle Dorsett, president of the Commonwealth Union of Hotel Services and Allied Workers, told Tribune Business that she "never doubted one bit" that the Minnis administration will do whatever it takes to safeguard the resort's employees and businesses that rely on the property. Read More |
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Haitian pastor wants shanty residents up first for land purchases President of the League of Haitian Pastors Pastor Jean Paul Charles said he has asked the government to give shantytown residents first preference to purchase land in those communities. Shantytown residents have until August 10 to leave those communities. Once the deadline passes, those communities are expected to be demolished. Read More |
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Government Urged: Disclose strategy for Grand Lucayan As shown in the recently released labour force survey for May 2018, the unemployment rate in Grand Bahama remains high and the same as that recorded in May 2017. While the Department of Statistics has pegged the rate at 12.4 percent, the struggles and despair of residents of Grand Bahama cannot be captured in mere figures." Read More |
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THE Minnis administration should consider passing a law that would retroactively naturalise all people born in The Bahamas at any point, attorney Fred Smith has said. #In a statement to The Tribune over the weekend, Mr Smith implored the government to consider legislation that would automatically deem any person born in The Bahamas, irrespective of their parentage, Bahamian citizens. Read More |
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Bahamas Government enters into a $20,000,000 Loan Agreement with the IDB to Fund Skills for Current and Future Jobs The Bahamas Government entered into a $20,000,000 Loan Agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to fund the "Skills for Current and Future Jobs in The Bahamas" initiative. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest made this announcement at the Ministry of Finance, Thursday, July 26, 2018. Read More |
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Minister of State for Grand Bahama Releases Statement on Employment in Grand Bahama Employment has grown from May, 2017 to May, 2018, in Grand Bahama confirming economic activity on the island, said Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator the Hon. J. Kwasi Thompson, in a press statement issued, Saturday, July 28, 2018. According to the statement, "The results of the recently released preliminary Labour Force Survey 2018 reveal that for the period November 2017 to May 2018, the number of persons employed has increased in Grand Bahama by some 725, and increased by 1,805 employed for the period May 2017 to May 2018. Read More |
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Dog Days Half-Marathon raises 5K for GB Children's Home and over 17k for at risk Animals too! "The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service" said Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Though not men, two women have taken up this call and contributed significantly to local charities through sport and friendship. Read More |
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Dozens of Brokers, Agents turn out for Palm Cay Reception, Call One Marina Condo Project "New, Exciting, Hot" Leading real estate brokers and younger stars turned out by the dozens last week for a reception at Palm Cay to get in on the ground floor, literally, with involvement in the new $100 million One Marina project, 84 luxury condos overlooking the popular marina and ranging in price from $800,000 to $1.9 million for the penthouse. Read More |
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Project Exterminate the Waste Takes Cleanup Efforts into Millar Heights With littering, deforestation and pollution at an all-time high, residents of New Providence continue to be challenged by the issue of effective Waste Management. For residents in tight-knit urban communities, the issue is even more pressing. In the face of these challenges, however, one local organization has been actively working to shift the mindset of Bahamians and to change the way that households dispose of their waste. Read More |
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Click Below for this week's weather in The Bahamas: |
- July 16th - August 3rd, 2018
- The NAGB Mixed Media Art Summer Camp
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- July 7th - August 4th, 2018
- Junkanoo Summer Festival 2018 1:00pm at Arawak Cay
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- July 7th - August 4th, 2018
- SUNDAY JAZZ 5:00pm - 8:00pm at Coral Harbour Beach House & Villas
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- August 10th, 2018
- The Central Bank of The Bahamas presents:
"Intimacy" - A Solo Exhibition by Jodi Minnis 6:00pm - 9:00pm at The Central Bank of The Bahamas Art Gallery
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- August 2nd, 2018
Bahamas Federation of Performing Arts 7:00pm at Mackey street Media on Retail Street
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- August 6th, 2018
11th Annual High Rock Sea Fest 10:00am at Homecoming Cultural Festival
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- August 11th, 2018
Humane Society Pub Quiz at 6:00pm at Garden of the Groves
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- August 18th, 2018
BASRA Swim Race & Beach Party at Coral Beach
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- August 29th, 2018
Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce Monthly Business Meeting 12:30pm at Delphine Room,Pelican Bay Hotel
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- August 31st, 2018
Bahamas Federation of Performing Arts One Shot Photography Competition 7:00pm at Grand Lucayan
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- August 2nd, 2018
- Bay Festival Hatchet Bay at Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera
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- August 3rd, 2018
- Cargill Creek Homecoming at Cargill Creek, Andros
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- August 4th, 2018
- 5TH Annual Pathway to Wellness at Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera
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- August 7th, 2018
- Holy Name Church Fair at Alice Town, Bimini
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- August 9th, 2018
- Great Harbour Cay Cultural Fest at The Berry Islands
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For More Abaco Events click the photo below |
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