I only have a small space to explain why I am what I am (which is to say that I am a feminist).

It is because society is always showing me that I am ugly when a needs to be pretty. I am chubby when a needs to be skinny. In mags. In movies. On TV shows. In the way I get shouted at when I am walking down the street by men who have no guts but have a big bad car and can drive away before I beat their faces in or smash their rear window.

It is because my father told me should not have sex until they are married & then cheated on my mother. It is because the boys in school were encouraged to take business while the girls were told to take home economics.

It is because the boy scouts went camping and the girl scouts did bake sales to raise $ for charity.

It is because all of the great authors and directors are MEN. Because in 8th grade, two of my best friends were raped, and were then called whores because the word got out. Because the rapists still got to go to IVY LEAGUE colleges & become successful "fascists" (that is, politicians, businessmen, or laywers).

It is because every time there is a rape scene in a movie, I feel like some one is getting off on it. Someone's brother. Someone's father.

It is because even the "enlightened" men that are my friends still tell sexist jokes and like sexist films.

It is because ads that use sexy are directed at men and insult me twice. Once by showing me how I should look to be an accepable woman. Once by ignoring me as a possible customer.

It is because all of my close female friends have been raped or molested, and most of them had eating disorders and because most of my male friends think I am exaggerating if I say so.

It is because almost every who has won an academy award, won it for playing the role of prostitute, and even more of them had to show their breasts in the film. It is because even films that are supposed to be about strong are still sexist. Still show the strong half-naked and she is still thin and beautiful and its still directed by a man.

Because the Rolling Stones are considered Rock-n-Roll, while Ani DiFranco and Tori Amos are called "Women's Music" - even if the Rolling Stones sing more songs about sex & sexualize the opposite sex.

Because most politicians are men. Every president has been a man. The top scientists are men.

I am what I am because I am a in a man's world.
And I fucking know it.