Unfortunately, the word ‘feminist’ has a heavy, negative stigma attached to it. Despite feminism being the call for equality between the sexes (read: to make things more of a level playing field for everybody) plenty are quick to dismiss the important ideals of feminism and label its supporters as bra-burning man-haters.
It’s a shame that so many people have bought into this thought – that feminism is wrong and that feminists would like to see women become the most powerful gender (as opposed to gender equality) – but it’s a viewpoint often steeped in misogyny and the belief that women don’t deserve to be equal in the first place. And, in many cases, people being anti-feminist (or being against the word) is simply because they just don’t understand what feminism is and so they deride it instead of cracking open a dictionary.
But this doesn’t fly with those who support feminism and now Kristen Stewart is calling them out.
Speaking to The Daily Beast, the actor explains that
“[Saying you’re not feminist is] such a strange thing to say, isn’t it? Like, what do you mean? Do you not believe in equality for men and women? I think it’s a response to overly-aggressive types. There are a lot of women who feel persecuted and go on about it, and I sometimes am like, “Honestly, just relax, because now you’re going in the other direction.” Sometimes, the loudest voice in the room isn’t necessarily the one you should listen to. By our nature alone, think about what you’re saying and say it—but don’t scream in people’s faces, because then you’re discrediting us.”
She adds that roles that are “different, and complex, and not some typical, archetypal girl” are “rare” because the movie industry is “a male-dominated and driven business.”
When asked about the fact that Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke’s career hit the skids after just one bad film, Stewart added that
“That’s a thing that women have to do—you must persevere. That’s what we’ve been doing. You need to make something that’s undeniably good. If a woman makes a bad movie, or does something stupid, then the door just slams shut. It’s fucked up.”
As so many of her peers speak out against feminism it’s refreshing to hear Kristen Stewart as the voice of feminist reason above it all. She’s regularly outspoken and should be commended for it. We’ll keep you posted on more of her well-reasoned thinking.
Source: The Daily Beast
