‘Humanism binds humans; it is Divine. Humanism means having to treat every other human with respect, whilst upholding the intrinsic human dignity, and in the same manner as one would like to be treated in return by that human. On the contrary, feminism and misogyny are discriminatory, just like racism. Such behaviours reflect extremism; they are reactionary and prove to be potential sources of unhappiness and strife in our communities. Both racism and gender bias are detestable, as both tend to break the natural human bond and the human spirit.
This world is pathetically divided along numerous lines – genders, religions, castes, ethnicities, skin colours, socio-economic classes, levels of education, professions, geographical regions etc. Has God divided this world? No, it is the humans who have divided this world for their selfish endeavours and to lord over other humans. Humans constantly endeavour to divide it further and keep looking for reasons to divide it more and more – it is always ‘us’ and ‘them’; ‘we’ and ‘they’ …
To claim one’s unequivocal or undisputed superiority over other humans, and then to discriminate or be prejudiced or biased against them, based on their looks, gender, skin colour, religion or caste, wealth, education, profession etc. is not only abhorrent or unethical but extremely sinful, in so far as the intrinsic respect and dignity of the humans is concerned.
Capitalism creates socio-economic classes and social divisions. On the other hand, communism does not recognise or promote the individual human endeavour. Both are unsuitable for human happiness. There is a middle ground somewhere between the two where we humans need to stand upon. Here in Australia, people generally believe in the dignity of work and labour, but even this country has a fair way to go. Our domestic help drivers a better car than us. She is dignified and takes pride in her work. One of our gardening help, an old Englishman in his 80s, is a very well-read person. He was an electrical engineer by profession during WWII and thereafter before he retired. After his gardening work, driven by his passion, we usually sit down in our kitchen for a chat over coffee. I have thankfully learnt a number of things from him.
The other day, I posted the following on my Facebook page:
‘Are the terms ‘gender equality’ compatible with the term ‘feminism’? Is it possible to align these terms, without infringing on the traditional protocol and decency one must have towards females, and the intrinsic respect that the female gender commands and deserves?’
Except three people, no one responded. Possibly because I had not put a ‘smiling’ picture of myself! Selfies and pictures attract maximum attention on Facebook. Where it comes to thinking, most people shirk away.
A friend, Aman Ujjwal, responded quickly: ‘The very concept of feminism is an epidemic, it must be eradicated. Why shall one respect an individual because of his/ her gender, why not because of their character, persona and merit?’
I thanked Aman and replied, ‘… there are numerous perspectives … Of course, you also have a valid point.’
Another friend, Dale Hartley, nailed my questions with his characteristically honest and no-nonsense response: ‘That depends what you mean by feminism. If you mean women making men wrong in an attempt to guilt them into submission which some so-called feminists do – that is not feminism. That is an angry woman behaving as badly as the men she hates. If you mean women banding together in the political struggle to gain equal treatment under the law, equal opportunity, education and treatment in life and the workplace, equal respect from society, and protection from male abuses where women are treated as property, as slaves, as objects of male sexual gratification, and as servants, to be abandoned, beaten or killed for disobedience or just having a mind of their own. Then feminism is completely compatible with the idea of equality.
Equality and feminism are not about granting respect because of their gender but about not discriminating against someone because of their gender.
The problem in India from what I can see is there is a difference between what the law says and what society says. As a recent news report in India on the issue of women abandoning better paying jobs over legitimate concerns over their safety and their children’s safety said “this country doesn’t care for its wives and daughters.”
It’s a statement that is hard to disagree with based on the evidence, and as men are the perpetrators, it is men who need to change their attitudes, and society which is currently controlled mostly by men that needs to confront how we are failing ourselves, the women in our lives and our society as a whole, by holding onto these bestial notions.
In Australia, we are further along in this conversation than India and much has been achieved, but I could not say this standard has yet been met. Old attitudes linger in the dark – but over time these are fluttering out like the dying flames of a fire that has burnt its fuel, as we realise as a society the overwhelming benefits for everyone, including men, of pursuing true equality.’
I thanked Dale for providing a deeply thought-provoking cross-section through this hazy domain and added, ‘This age-old matter needs a thorough and honest introspection by one and all. Our human race is still evolving; we still have a fair way to go before we achieve gender equilibrium. One extreme gives birth to other extreme – it takes a while before a sustainable middle ground is achieved. Thankfully, history bears witness that all issues finally achieve a resolution …’
Another Facebook friend, Rahul Sharma, asked, ‘Do you think chivalry and feminism can coexist?’
My answer was: ‘To me, they are nonaligned, potentially on a collision course if one tries to align them. How can a body live if one of its part fights with another part? In a nutshell, they can’t coexist; one has to give way to the other. But, on their own also, they are unstable, like a swinging pendulum. For a healthy human race, I believe, both must go …’
All humans are born the same way, naked and crying; they go back to Mother Earth in not much different way. Underneath that skin of ours, we all look same. So, who is superior? None, whosoever! So, why this rubbish? Humans will continue to be primitive so long as they don’t transcend all divisions created by them.
Humanism is what the world needs. Let us learn from the Buddha or from Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr.
So long as humans and what they do for living are not respected, without bias or prejudice or discrimination, we humans will continue to contribute to human unhappiness and potential strife amongst communities. It will be always ‘they’ versus ‘us’.
No human has the moral right or any special anatomy to claim superiority over any other human on the planet! All humans are born equal. Therefore, respect one and all, but never prostrate before another person, whosoever he or she is. Also, never allow any human prostrate before your or touch your feet. Never! A namaskar or a firm handshake will do, as equals. Namaskar means bowing to the Divinity in the other person, but never bowing to other person’s adornments, ornaments, wealth, status or ego.
Let us promote the equality and not any division! Let us transcend everything which divides us humans, everything!’ … Bill K Koul