International Men’s Day, by a Feminist.

Caught your attention there, didn’t I? 

So after a long hiatus, I decided to blog on a topic that sounds like I am about to rebel - right? 

WRONG. 

What were you expecting anyways - for me to take a stab on hate-tweets? 

If that’s what you thought - we’ll keep the battle for another day - for the umpteenth time, I will once again explain what feminism is - just not today. 

I came across some videos today of some lost-feminazis who questioned the rationality of this day -in fact, they felt it was just a day created to stop men from questioning the need for International Women’s Day.

What are we, five?

You are not a feminist if you don’t believe in equality. PERIOD. 

The objectives of both days are essentially the same - UNDERSTAND THAT.  

Both these days focus on health, improving gender relations, promoting gender equality and highlighting positive role models, allowing each gender to respectively celebrate their achievements and contributions to their families and communities while highlighting discrimination against them.

Stop feeling patronised over this - it is disgusting. 

What makes some of you think, this day is not even necessary? Do you think men don’t face discrimination? - stop feeling superior. 

I am not talking about specifics like gays, coloured men or poor, uneducated men or even short men. Or, come to think of it, the many judged "typical boys" every day, but just men? All men.

A few things we forget about men - their struggles. The stigma, forcing them to be all strong, macho - till it is even ‘wrong’ for them to cry - because ‘boys don't cry, right?

Wrong dude, that is discrimination. 

No one can deny the reality that men are not just the gender in power and capacity - they are also the dominating and practical one. 

But what makes everyone feel they got to hold it together all the damn time? Even during funerals - how often do you see men get emotional in front of people? 

International Men’s Day was introduced in 1992 on 7 February by Thomas Oaster and it was revived by Jerome Teelucksing who chose 19 November (his father's birthday) to raise awareness about men and mental health. 

This is one out of 365 days to put damn precedence aside and look into the important aspects of their life such as social, emotional, physical and spiritual.

Their whole life has been about keeping it together - give them a break for 24 hours at least!

Societal expectations and traditional gender roles play a significant part in why men are less likely to discuss or seek help, especially when it comes to mental and emotional health. 

We must understand that men can be damaged by stereotypes and expectations too.

It is obvious that the pandemic and lockdown has exacerbated everyone's physical, mental and emotional experiences - there has been an increase in everything - but stability,  leaving a lot of people in a toxic cycle that resulted to domestic abuse/discrimination/unemployment etc. 

The majority of domestic violence stories covered by the media are about male perpetrators and female victims. Yes, most of the time this is the scenario - but what about the good guys? 

While it occurs far less often than men battering women, women sometimes batter their male partners. 

 

A popular example: Johnny Depp - dude was abused terribly by his ex-wife Amber Heard - but he became ‘the wife-beater’ and practically lost most of his upcoming projects. 

We have to understand that men also suffer the second indignity and victimization of many people — including the police — not believing them. Or believing that they couldn’t “fight back” in some way (because they are, after all, men). 

And sometimes, it is an embarrassing revelation for them, and one that many men never make, preferring to live in silence as a victim. Bear in mind, abuse can be in any form - and that could be invincible to many. 

And some face discrimination - could be anything - not getting a place to rent (because of colour), jobs..a decent relationship perhaps? 

Whilst International Women’s Day will continue to win the spotlight (because women are emotional and we would be there enjoying G&T on a promotion) over International Men’s Day (practical folks, cheering to beers during regular happy hour) - you can be one of those to tell the men in your life about how much you appreciate them and their hard work. 

Start by holding yourself from using terms like ‘BOYS/MEN DON’T CRY’ or ‘BOYS GOTTA BE STRONG’ 

STOP IT - I refrain myself from using such terms even with Arlo (Arlo is my dachshund btw, and he is adorable) 

Boys got to feel NORMAL. Have a normal life, normal feelings, normal relationships, normal day, normal everything. 

Stop putting them on a pedestal based on stupid societal assumptions and making them feel like the whole world is on them. 

STOP being ‘MUNDANE’! 

Anyways... 

I am not doing this for some brownie points, heck I am not even standing for the elections to win votes. I am sharing my thoughts, hoping that someday, we could all treat each other equally. 

STOP BEING BITTER.

But I also can’t control how you feel about me, 

So...

love,

Venoshia. 

If I could be a cartoon character .. I'd be Princess Kidagakash Nedakh..

Truth is - I could always relate to Disney Villains better. I thought Scar and Hades were hot. I think Maleficent is hot.

My parents bought me these books and movies to learn values from the princesses and faries – but I secretly loved the villains because I thought they never gave up and always had the guts to do what they wanted to do. I mean try being optimistic.

Also, I promised to write exactly what the tool generated and not challenge it like I always do.  It is good to challenge the brief because it generates new perspectives. But not today. #notetoself

Besides relating myself to villains and I know I can pull it off really well – this time I’d like to play Princess Kidagakash Nedakh (Kida), from Atlantis: The Lost Empire.

Do you remember this movie?

I still don't understand why this movie did not well. But you should watch the documentary on Youtube to appreciate the effort and thought processes. FYI - this was back in 2001. 

Also, before Elsa became 'the Queen on her own' – Kida was already one, but I always felt that she did not get the recognition she deserved.

So, a little background…

Allow me to introduce you to Princess Kidagakash Nedakh..

Kida has white long hair, large blue eyes, BROWN SKIN, and a toned physique. She only wears a blue bikini top with a sarong skirt and walks barefoot – so you also get to see her blue colored tattoos

Kida looks 21, but she is actually about 8,500 to 8,800 years old because the Atlantean Crystal gives Atlanteans abnormally long lives. If I could live that long and still look 21 with that kind of body and tattoos – I am not going to lie to myself and say otherwise.

Who is Kida?

Kida is the daughter of Kashekim Nedakh, the king of Atlantis during its height of power. At a very young age, she witnessed the near destruction of the central city of the continent when her mother, The Queen of Atlantis, is called forth by the Heart of Atlantis to save the city.

Due to her father wishing to prevent a repeat of what happened and thereby erasing much Atlantean history, she begins to lose the ability to remember the past culture and can only recall her mother being taken away by what she describes as a great star in the sky.

She believes that her people are beginning to lose their sense of self in Atlantis: The Lost Empire, and begins to investigate the past to rediscover their lost civilization.

Why Kida?

Warrior Princess

Because she is a warrior princess and the protector of Atlantis. 

I have zero physical fighting skills – so I could use some of her skills.

Brutally Honest

Political Enthusiast

She has a keen understanding of politics and continues to develop her natural leadership skills so that she can be a STRONG QUEEN for her people. DUDEEEEE!  

Master Linguist

Kida is a linguist, with the ability to decipher non-native tongues by simply referring to Atlantean, which is regarded as the root dialect of the ancient world. 

THIS IS A SUPERPOWER PLS! 

It gets better…

Telepathic

Kida has this powerful mental connection with the Heart of Atlantis and the ability to ephemerally bond with the energy as an ENTITY. 

While in this state – SHE is virtually INDESTRUCTIBLE! She has these prophetic abilities to telepathically connect with the Heart of Atlantis.




WHAAAAAAAAT?

I swear to god – with my excellent abilities to Overthink – telepathy will save the world a a lot of trouble and come up with destructive campaigns to change the world.  

I was 13 years old when I first watched this movie – I feel exactly the same about Kida now as I write this.  So, I personally feel – if I get to be Kida – I would have the ability to learn new things, and still, get to be me.  

I mean come on – telepathy – I could communicate with serial killers.

Ok. Too much for this piece.

Anyways – this is also why I am a DISNEY FREAK. I will someday go to Disney World and make all my dreams come true.  Even if I get there at 50, with 3 kids.
K. that’s all. 

Love,

Your Favourite Brown Girl