Equality, Sexism, Feminism, and the Reason Why Both Genders Suck

I was downtown one day, partying with one of my best girl friends, and her friend from work, having a grand old time, eating pizza and chatting with a drunken Psychology student who was sitting nearby, when we heard some of the usual drunken tomfoolery: shrill screeches, laughter, and abrupt words.

We all looked over to find about four or five people in a group, three of them seemingly rotating around what may have been a couple. That may have been debatable, because the man was holding his hands up in the easily recognized "I don't want any trouble" position, his voice was low and steady. The woman, the usual kind of female recognizable downtown after 2 am (scantily clad even for warm weather, high heels she was tottering around on, a hair style that undoubtedly looked better hours earlier) was obviously deep into her cups and was an angry drunk, because the man's voice altered pitch once, in response to a shouted query from her, and suddenly, she dove at him and started punching, slapping and hitting him around his head.

At first it was laughable, because he was such a solid guy and there was something that seemed so... pointless about a girl that was a third of his size ineffectually taking him on. It reminded me of a fly buzzing around a person.

However, it became apparent that she was doing some harm, even though she was plastered. He had his arms up, protecting his head, but still missing a good amount of her attacks. I started to get sad and angry as I watched, because even when he tried to leave, she would follow him. None of the circling people seemed to be brave enough to hold her back long enough for him to leave. In fact, they seemed to be tense, waiting for him to react.

"He'd better not hit her." My friend was following the same altercation, and she happened on the same thought: even if she started it, even if she was the one who was currently abusing him, if he reacted physically, and harmed her, he would be in the wrong. I looked back and came to the realization that even though some of those people circling him were his friends, they would think the same thing, and beat on him and drag him away, the instant he raised a hand to the woman.

This, people, this is sexism. Just the thought of this situation makes me very angry.

You hear so much about men being abusers, rapists, and how men should never raise a hand to a woman. What about the other side of that coin?

Since WHEN did it become okay for women to sexually abuse men? Or hit them, or emotionally abuse them? And when did society become so accepting of sexism that they would take the women's side over the men, because obviously the men could have stopped it at any time (this is called victim blaming) however, if he had gotten physical, he would have deserved it?

Did you know that what is considered the only male safe house in Canada is closing because of lack of funding? Read the article here and, if you think you can handle it, read the comments of men who have been abused getting fed up with sexism, just as much as women are.

Just to repeat this, once again, sexism is discriminating against or giving preferential treatment to one gender over another.

As well, feminism is someone in support of equal rights for both genders.

Neither genders should be looked down on, or treated badly.

Also, damn right I will get angry with you if I see signs of this behavior from you. In fact, I could be very certain in saying I won't want to speak to you socially.

Until this is realized as socially unacceptable, I'll be over here in my corner screaming about real equality until I'm blue in the face.