Es tu feministe?!

I often wonder why people (men and women both) shy away from being called feminists, even remotely, as if it's some kind of a plague one can better do without. Mostly, such indifference comes from ignorance. I would request people to READ READ and READ. READ about the struggles, read about the history, don't form your unfounded opinions basing them solely on hearsay. Feminism is not something to be ashamed of, it does not refer to beating up men (that's such a juvenile thought process)..it is about fighting for one's rights. Would you not put up a fight if you were grounded at home, not allowed to play outside or watch TV? Yes you would never find the names of those who sacrificed and died etched or engraved on any tombs, no amar-jawan-jyoti or suchlike, can you count on your fingers and tell me how many feminists do you know of---even feminist writers/ authors/ artistes/ activists would do. But do you know who they are, or even their names? I, unlike a lot of other people i bang into in the walk of life, am proud to be branded a feminist. It gives me a sense of pride, a sense of purpose, and a sense of belonging. You may call them the sub-altern, their stories will never be told, their struggles will vanish with the passage of time, their sacrifices/fights would be forgotten. And despite knowing that, when i come across someone (man and/or woman) who says that s/he is proud to be a fellow feminist (with full knowledge of the term), i have nothing else but sheer respect to offer to him/her.