“We should not have feminists…We shouldn’t have feminism in society.”
This was said by a leading Bollywood actress Kangna Ranaut. While at a glance, this statement seems shocking and controversial, especially coming from a woman, the meaning is actually quite different. It might be misunderstood as though she was speaking against gender equality but it is quite the opposite. In the interview, Ranaut goes on further to say that “feminism is…a sorry state to be in any society. The gender equality should be there, where feminist doesn’t need to act like a medicine on inequality.” She believes that in an ideal society, there shouldn’t be any feminists because gender equality should already be established and not be something to have to fight for. Gender equality in an ideal society should be given freely, instead of having to fight to regain an obvious right. She further goes on to claim that in Indian society it is lacking, especially in the entertainment industry where actresses do not speak out such controversial issues because it would affect their image and career. Ranaut believes as a citizen, her voice should be “free from all baggage” that comes with her being a woman or an actress.
This is a common issue worldwide, but especially in the Eastern countries. Countries like Bangladesh, where I am from are still far behind in terms of gender equality than in Western countries. Women are generally restricted to their household roles as daughters, sisters, and mothers. Xenophon would have agreed with this role as he approved of Spartan principles that believe “motherhood to be the most important function of freeborn women.” Aristotle further goes on to state that ” [women] were utterly useless and caused more confusion than an enemy.” Xenophon believed women to be valuable only because they can produce sons and Aristotle believed they are useless regardless. These views from the Ancient world can be seen in various modern societies to a certain extent.
Xenophon and Aristotle would have absolutely disregarded opinion like Kangna Ranaut’s. Not only because it goes against their belief, but because it’s the opinion of a woman, to begin with. But I absolutely agree with Ranaut that in an ideal society there wouldn’t be any feminists because there would be no need to fight for gender equality. it would be just there. Our society is not ideal, as many are still fighting for this. But as Ranaut, many others such as I hope to see a society which would not need feminism.
IANS. “Kangana Ranaut Rues ‘Sorry State’ of Feminism, Says an Ideal Society Wouldn’t Need Feminists.” Firstpost, 16 Sept. 2017, http://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kangana-ranaut-rues-sorry-state-of-feminism-says-an-ideal-society-wouldnt-need-feminists-4049663.html. Accessed 23 Sept. 2017.
Masuma, Team Mercury
The Past in Present Tense 
You make an interesting point. Feminist activism shouldn’t be necessary, and in an ideal society it wouldn’t be. It’s sad that we’re at a point where we have to explain why gender equality should already exist. History, including the times of Xenophon and Aristotle, has all built up to this.
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I always find people intriguing when you have to dig deep into the meanings of what their saying (if that makes any sense!). What Ranaut was getting at with her statement is awesome because it forces you to take a step back and not get drained by words that are, nowadays, politically involved, like the word “feminist.” I completely agree with her analysis!
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Your title really caught my attention, but your words held it. I agree with basically everything you wrote, its sad how much feminists are needed or else women would go back to square one. It also goes to show the hypocrisy of those historians that lived in a time where they worshiped goddesses but still held females in low esteem.
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