SAMUEL RAFUSE

This year calls for a new approach to equality and treatment of both genders. While 2014 saw a lot of strides for and against feminism, it’s time to set this approach aside and move towards a brighter future for all.

Egalitarianism, the idea that everyone should be treated equally, is not a new idea but is growing in popularity. The current generation is by far the most aware of gender and sexual politics, but our awareness has also become a stumbling block in the effort to establish a system of respect as various groups — like those who consider themselves feminists — struggle to unite due to their differences.

Offering the next logical step in having a conversation, egalitarianism steers us towards understanding each other’s perspectives. To create a balance between  idealism and pragmatic solutions, we must combine our knowledge of current cultural trends with the long suffering patience rooted in memories of past activists who have paved the way for us.

In order to open up a dialogue about equality, we have to acknowledge the uncomfortable fact that throughout history the mistreatment of women and minorities has been constant across societies.

The exploitation of minorities universally perpetuates itself as far back as we can trace history. In order to move forward, we need to know where we are coming from. As George Santayana’s saying goes: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

Although 2014’s increasingly self-aware and self-critical society saw great strides for feminism and civil rights, it also saw backlash in the form of  events such as Gamersgate, terrible acts of violence and great civil unrest. It saw feminists become angry with each other instead of directing that anger towards the underlying problem of misogyny. It saw supporters — and I include myself in this group — grow frustrated, lose sight of the goal and nearly give up, seemingly dooming us to a cycle of one step forward, two steps backward.

Activists of the past rallied against the problems they saw in their world and while we still see many problems persisting today, we are looking at society through a lens our ancestors created. Just as feminism was born out of the acknowledgement and awareness of the mistreatment of women, egalitarianism begins by recognizing the premise that inequality is our current starting point.

Let me be clear: I am not pushing for an end to the feminist movement. I am concerned that we are stuck because we have become too quick to jump into a cause without fully understanding what it is about. As a result, we have also become quick to criticize others for misinterpreting the original intentions of said cause.

Our current, conflicting definitions of feminism are losing the momentum necessary to bring about success, due to misunderstandings among its own defenders. Egalitarianism provides something of a fresh start, as it is less scathed by the burden of its own past and as a result, capable of being more inclusive.

We should not take for granted how far we have come, lest we forget how far we still have to go. The cultural conversation hinges on our ability to communicate effectively, honestly and fairly. Achieving equality depends on us being able to step outside of our own perspectives and listen to voices that prejudice has silenced.

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Photo: Kyra Mazer