A Cage Left Open

Feminism

I need feminism because

our oppression isn't real because at least we can vote

because the wage gap or lack of control over our own goddam bodies cannot be oppression

while there are children slaving away in factories

but when you are hungry, are there not African children starving to death

then you must not be hungry

I need feminism because

it is easier to get a gun in America than birth control

because the womb inside me is not mine, but the government's

I will not bear children of my own, instead I will bear those of rich white men who can dictate what happens to the cluster of cells inside of me regardless of how that child came to be

do not tell women that the life inside them is more valuable than their own

I need feminism because

society says my body is offensive until convenient to them

men tell women nourishing their child is a thing meant to be done in private

as though the sight of an infant nursing from an exposed breast isn't normal because it isn't their greedy lips caressing it

and they will loosen the ties around their necks as girls shake exposed flesh for crumpled dollar bills

while downing hard liquor and making grabs at the waitress' ass but they won't leave a tip because she's wearing more than the girl on stage

I need feminism because

I am not the red lipped pin-up goddess plastered on the centerfold of tattered copies of Playboy

hidden under the mattresses of freshmen boys

boys who are taught to chase tail because women are merely bitches waiting on their haunches

begging... whimpering... pleading... please just tell me I'm pretty

because apparently the thing between my legs is a neon vacancy sign and I cannot function

without a man to fill it

I need feminism because

when I proclaim myself feminist I am met with uneasy sideways glances

people treat me like I am dirty for preaching equality

my feminism is intersectionality

I stand not only for women, but for humanity and I am so

fucking tired of having to defend my beliefs

because feminism is misunderstood to be man-hating lesbians

or edgy white girls wearing too much flannel who blog about misandry

because in America, we think a radical few must define the entire culture

I need feminism because

the worst thing you can call a man is woman

because pussy and bitch echo through the hallways of every school in the nation

and some would rather die than have these insults directed at them

because boys are told they cannot show emotion for fear that their

masculinity will come into question

because for so long fathers have cried behind closed doors

and brothers have cried in locked bathroom stalls

that crying on mommy's lap is emasculate

we must not teach our sons that they are any less a man

with tears rolling down their cheeks

I need feminism because

I have to leave work with a group of three other women just to feel safe

our keys clutched tightly don't drop them

hearts racing don't look behind you

running move faster

unlock the door

get in

lock

go go go

I need feminism because

stolen innocence is displayed as a trophy like

a notch on the belt of a predator for everyone to see

we are dragged through gravel, dirt under the fingernails

blood running down kicking legs

ravaged raped

disposable objects

prizes for any person's taking

I need feminism because

equality is not a radical concept but

basic humanity and I cannot fight this battle

alone.