And I, Feminism, stood on the edge of the stage, burying myself in a mellow spot. Alone, there, I stood in one of the corners, continuously perspiring and hearing my own breath. Rehearsals scuttled through my mind and were now coming out of my lips in the form of murmurs. My fingers were quivering. This was the first time. I’d never done this before. I was nervous. They shall call me up anytime soon.

The tall Patriarchy was about to wind up a hefty power-packed speech. I could hear the last rhetoric. Opulent words subtly budging towards the end, gradually condensing into a “Thanks!” Patriarchy has grown old. Someone you shouldn’t be surprised to be giving the same speech every year. But sometimes I wonder how the audience bears the weight of the same hefty words each time. “Thud!” There was an applause and I knew it. “Feminism, your turn now!”

I made heavy tiny steps to elongate this journey. I plodded towards the giant podium that stood before me; my eyes were filled with doubt. I could sense similar eyes hanging on the faces of all those who sat before me. Feeble whispers and bitter gazes. Two taps on the microphone, and I knew it was happening. I’ll be heard today. The day has come. I cleared my throat to finally begin. Hush, silence had spread across all those thousand dubious faces before me. I spoke my first words. “Hello everybody! My name is Feminism.”

“Today, I stand before you all, to call your attention, and to let you realize how wrong I’ve ever been understood.” That sly Misogyny, smirking from a shabby corner seat in the audience interrupted sneakily, “Huh, she thinks she can ever talk sense? Who shall listen to her! She was born to be loathed!” And there were giggles all around. The amphitheater was filled with disgust and mockery. Words seized me and I seized them. I had to hide those welled-up eyes. So, I drew my glance off the audience, unexpectedly towards a tender bowed-down figure sitting at the back, in a dingy corner, all alone. She was a Woman and she was weeping in pain.

Feeble whispers and bitter gazes. A man from the front row shrieked in anger, “All you know is demanding rights for your women, but at what cost? At the cost of being prejudiced against men? Call her off the stage, she’s a sinner, call her off the stage!” Misogyny, along with Sexism and Prejudice laughed. The cocky Patriarchy was smirking in arrogance. No, not another day I could waste. Not anymore that I’d keep silent or bend down in fright! I knew, this was my moment and I must speak.

“Listen everybody! Today you shall look into my eyes and tell if you find a tinge of lie! And if you do, I will surrender.”

That feeble woman had her tears held back. “I am neither a sinner, nor am I weak. I am an emotion – an emotion that binds us. I’m neither a woman nor a man, I’m an idea, an idea of equality! All of us might have turned a blind eye to all that I’d ever said, all that I’d ever tried to attempt. However, it’s time now. It is time we let the bias die. We shall bury in graves our stereotypes and sow seeds for Egalitarianism Feminism is about us, worthy people, all of us as equal!”

The feeble woman was no longer feeble. A confident smile had beamed on her face.
I knew I had won.

Arushi Sethi is currently pursuing English Honours from Hansraj College, University of Delhi. Being a poet, content writer, blogger & editor, she is constantly exploring newer ways to fulfil her passion for words. For her, there is bliss in reading, writing and music. A verse to write and a melody to hum are like trails that would take her to a warm merry space, full of happiness 🙂