Baby-killing lesbian witches: Why I have the word Feminist tattooed on my back

 A few weeks ago, I got my first tattoo. It's awesome. Seriously, look at it:

Like I say: awesome.

I've known that I would get a tattoo from the age of 13. In that time, I've thought long and hard about what I wanted, and where I wanted it. When I was 13, I'm pretty sure that I had my heart set on a tribal armband around the upper arm. Thank goodness we don't let 13 year olds get tattooed. As I grew older, I understood more about why I wanted to be inked.

It was probably coming across Michel Foucault and the concept of inscription that really solidified the pretty ephemeral "Oh I'd like a tattoo one day" into "I want a tattoo that is a piece of art unique to me, which demonstrates my relationship to the world around me through my own relationship with my body." 

My final piece reflects so much of what's been important in my life - the teacup not only reflects my love of tea (as legendary as that may be), but the thousands of cups of tea I've shared with friends and family over the years. The pattern on the teacup is an adaptation of an arabesque from Alhambra mosque - it represents the education I have been privileged to receive. Books have been intrinsic to that education, as well as providing a means of escape. 

And then there's FEMINIST.

It's been the element of the tattoo that has caused most comment from those who've seen it. Some folk have loved it, others have been concerned that it could be inflammatory. One man even expressed concern for any man who would need to look down and see it during sex. How inconsiderate of me to interrupt their objectification of me!

But then there's the brilliance of how it has sparked up conversations with all manner of people. It's allowed me to engage in feminism with all manner of people, and the big theme that has come up has been about what a feminist is. 

Obviously I've told them the truth. A feminist must do all the following:

• kill their children (and encourage other women to kill theirs)
• hate men
• be lesbians
• practice witchcraft
• destroy capitalism
• grow their body hair
• consider all men as potential rapists
• eschew make-up
• stop making sandwiches

The first 5 come from one of my favourite quotes of all time, from US politician Pat Robertson, uttered in 1992:

Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practise witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians.

The final one comes from the Tumblr Women Against Feminism, which is greatly amusing if you're ever at a loose end. Basically, you get a bunch of women who have enjoyed the privilege of education and freedom to express their thoughts explain why feminism is a bad thing for all of those who haven't got those rights, or have the audacity to ask for equality. Usually it's framed as them arguing that feminism has turned into a war on men, where men are all vilified and seen as potential rapists. But then...

Then there are moments of such glory that I think they are surely taking the mick, that it's all a brilliant send-up of the nonsense that is women who are using the rights that feminism brought them to argue that feminism is awful.

Like Sandwich woman. Sandwich woman doesn't need feminism because:

recieving special treatment based on your gender is exactly what feminists claim to dislike, which makes it nothing more than hypocritical ignorance. [sic]

Yep, because feminists are the ignorant ones here. For seeking the same treatment as men. Bless her wee misguided heart, she then goes on to give my favourite defence of anti-feminism ever:

 I don't want feminism because the will to be equal to men in every aspect does not kill spiders, carry things that are heavy, or protect me. I also really enjoy making sandwhiches. [sic]

Firstly, I am confused. I know, I am a woman. But I am amused that our special treatment is apparently all about the will to be equal to men. I could have understand her - very, very wrong - argument if she was basing it on the idea that feminists want to rid the world of men. But no, this is hypocritical ignorance.

But that's not the biggest problem.

No, the biggest problem is that Sandwich woman really enjoys making sandwhiches [sic], preferably in a world free of spiders with no heavy lifting, whilst feeling protected (presumably from pesky feminists dropping their wombs all over the shop whilst attempting to move stuff). It is a well known fact that if feminists were to get their way, then we would have roving mercenaries snatching bread knives from the hands of women everywhere, whilst enslaving men the world over to provide for all of womankind's sandwich needs. The HORROR.

Or, y'know, we could just let anyone who wants to make sandwiches do that. At last check, I didn't find that my vagina had a lot of input in the sandwich making process. Maybe I'm doing it wrong.

I want to speak to Sandwich lady. To tell her that being a woman (however you define it) isn't a set way of being. That I would rather lift heavy things than make sandwiches. That we shouldn't live in a world where anyone NEEDS to be protected, that I can walk home alone and know that I will be fine.

But most of all I want to ask her why she is contributing to a movement that is happy to take the gains from feminists past, whilst refusing the opportunity to progress for other women. Women getting equal rights doesn't mean that you won't be able to make sandwiches, or that you will be forced to do heavy lifting. But it does mean that women who are receiving less pay get the same. That women have access to necessary healthcare. That there will be a cultural shift where men don't feel the need to prove their masculinity through violence towards others. That girls will stop being forced into marriage, and suffering the catastrophic effects of childbearing at a young age. That girls get equal access to education, and the opportunities to give their voices in parliament.

Feminism isn't hurting you. But you are hurting other women through your engagement with the anti-feminist movement. I'm not forcing you to accept the label of feminist, but simply asking you to not shout down others who are trying to stand with the rest of humanity, for the good of humanity as a whole.

Feminism isn't a monolith, there are huge disagreements within, but fundamentally we are fighting for equal rights for all. I stand with my fellow feminists. I wear the word with pride.

Happy International Women's Day!