u/protequeen

The main idea of feminism is liberation for women and dismantling the patriarchy. This includes abolishing patriarchal standards such as gender roles, misogyny, inequality, etc.

However, as of late, I've noticed that many self-proclaimed feminists actually uphold the patriarchy themselves and are only concerned in dismantling the parts of the patriarchy that negatively affect them. They do this by comforming to gender roles, making misogynistic comments, and policing people who don't fit into these gender roles.

A clear example of this is how some women react to straight men who act more feminine. They resort to shaming such a man by calling him gay (as if that's an insult) or less of a man. Recently, there was a tiktok video circulating, which showed men's clothing bedazzled with gems. The comment section was filled with women saying things like "What is wrong with this generation of men?", "I would never let my man wear that." and "Only ponks wear these clothes. " These comments are proof of women upholding the patriarchy.

Another example is the way some women act to other women who do not try to fit into beauty standards. Women who do not shave their body hair, wear makeup, or wear bras are usually shamed by other women for doing so. The comment sections are usually filled with other women degrading these women for no other reason than refusing to participate in patriarchal beauty standards.

Finally, the way women react to relationships that bend gender roles also upholds the patriarchy. Since forever, women have been told that men are the leaders and providers in a relationship, and women must submit and obey. Thanks to the feminist movement, part of this has been dismantled. However, some straight women still go into relationships expecting a man to provide all her needs even when she is fully capable of doing so herself. Women who don't go into relationships looking for such things are shamed and told they do not know their worth. It gets worse when a woman decides she wants to be the one proposing to her partner and not the other way around. Then she is degraded and shunned for not fitting into gender roles.

These are just a few examples of women who claim to be feminists refusing to dismantle the patriarchy when they are given the chance to. What are your thoughts?

I see a lot of discourse about how underappreciated The Gift is, and I agree. As an African, seeing afrobeats and different countries in Africa represented through this album means so much to me.

Beyoncé collaborated with a variety of African artists like Shatta Wale, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Mr Eazi and etc. All who are important names in Afrobeats and music in Africa.

The non Beyoncé songs on the album also mean so much to me. Jara Ara E, Don't Jealous Me, Keys to the Kingdom and Scar all incorporated the culture of the artists into the songs. What stood out to me personally was a line in Don't Jealous Me, where the artist starts counting in twi, which is the local language of the majority of Ghanaians. Are there any africans here that share the same sentiment?

Looking back now on when I was religious, I can't help but think that my deconstruction of Christianity was inevitable.

Even when I was younger, my questions concerning Christianity and religion seemed to bother many of the religious adults around me. Every question I asked was answered with a generic answer that would never satisfy my curiosity or I was told not to think of such things. As a result, I pushed down any questions that challenged my faith.

I remember when I was around the age of 9 or 10, and I asked my father what would happen to people who had never heard of Christianity, he answered by telling me that God would just judge them based on their good deeds and that would determine their afterlife. In that moment, I silently wished I had never heard of Christianity, so I wouldn't have to live a Christian lifestyle. I quickly pushed away that thought due to the fear of blasphemy and judgement from God.

However, as time went on, it got harder and harder to push these "blasphemous" thoughts away. I have always been a very opinionated person, so reading the bible and seeing all the horrific and immoral things that took place really shook my faith. I tried to find explanations, but none seemed to excuse these things. As time went on, I just found it impossible to agree with any part of Christianity whatsoever. I finally deconstructed and left the faith at 14.

I think I always knew it was bullshit I was just to young to call it out.