Today is International Women's Day, something of which I was only
reminded upon hearing it on the radio this morning. My sense of pride was somewhat
overpowered by a sense of panic. I thought - 'bite the bullet, what better time
to launch your new project into the world'. A new female-driven blog. A subject
that my peers and I have been passionate about for quite a while. But quite
frankly, I have been reluctant to share my views on this subject in a public
way, like I am somehow embarrassed at exposing my feminist mole to the world.
But then I thought, what on earth would be the point of believing in a cause that is easy to
fight for?
(On a side-note, on a recent TG4 appearance, I was referred to
as Iriseoir Neamhspleách or 'Freelance Journalist' - I
frantically feel I should start living up to the title.)
I have found myself recently having very vocal debates, albethey
on Facebook, but public and vocal debates none the less. I shan't get into the
ins and outs of the arguments (suffice to say that a certain story was in
circulation recently about the non-consensual circulation of other things and
was subject to strong and opposing opinions) but it did fill me with a sense of
importance. Which was immediately followed by a wave of guilt and worry akin to
the fear after a wonderful, yet drunken, night out. Should I have said those
things? Was I polite? Are people sick of me ranting about things? I got to
thinking (in my best Carrie Bradshaw voice) about believing in what we believe
in, and why.
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| Illustration by Amy Mc Mahon |
I believe (yes, there's that word again) that believing in a cause
is an important part of someone's character, especially those of us who are
discovering the world and realising that life isn't as rosy as we might have
thought in secondary school. Suddenly, college opens us up to the notion of
left and right, black and white, male and female, gay and straight, moral and
immoral - and all the problems, issues, minority groups and difficult questions
that come with those realisations. I think it's important, when we are of a
generation that can instil change in our peers, a generation that can harness
social media and freedom of speech - to have a cause to follow and support.
I just so happened to take a shine to mental health issues and
feminism. They are two subjects on which I am well versed, have an effect on my
life and in making my voice heard, I feel I may be able to make a difference
where these issue are concerned.
But I've realised that the world of different issues and causes
can be a world of nastiness, name-calling and blatant disregard for other
causes or opinions or sides. They can discourage us from believing in our own
cause, or at the very least, embarrass us into silence. Some beliefs have garnered adjectives synonymous with their cause; staunch Republican, devout Catholic,
strict vegetarian, die-hard fan, strident feminist. All these adjectives really serve to do is to say "this person believes in the thing they believe in very, very
much" which, at the end of the day, is stating nothing more than can be
ascertained from them holding their belief to begin with. Surely, believing in
the cause in the first place is enough to hold conviction. I would feel their adjectives actually hold negative connotations and are used to undermine and
stigmatise the cause and their support group. It alludes somehow to their belief
being a delusion, perhaps even patronises them, jeers at them for commitment. Why believe in something if you don't believe in it "very, very much"? Mental health issues
were once a taboo, understood as a person "gone mad" or
"suffering with their nerves" and it's the use of negative language, elusive terms and even the lack of conversation on the topic altogether that not only stigmatised it, but shrouded it in fear. I think we're changing that view now. It is the reason I am
encouraged to tell you - believe in that cause you believe in. Don't go
apologising for it, especially when you believe that it’s important in creating a better world. Don't feel the need to use an adjective that portrays 'just how seriously you believe in your cause'. Don't ever let judgement discourage you. Change is possible
if we cling to our beliefs and fight for them. Believe that your opinion counts.
If you think that you are exempt from the role of believing in a
cause, then I have sad and sorry news for you, my friend. While you are doing
your best to stay away from confrontation, avoid offending someone, blend in
with the crowd - society is making all the decisions for you. And society is
missing out on the vital and precious input you can contribute to the world.
Would it not be better to partake, or at least become an ally to a cause that
is crying out to be acknowledged and heard? Could the little courage you show
in sharing an article on your Facebook page or starting a conversation at the
dinner table make even a little difference, a difference that you can be proud
to have made? Let’s face it, marriage equality (another belief of mine) could
not have been achieved in this country were it not for those indirectly
affected by the constitutional change standing with the LGBT community and
joining in their cause.
Of course, a world of sheep is not constructive either. I fear that there
are people that jump on a bandwagon of watered down reports they've heard from
a friend of a friend, latch on to the latest negative press (which was conceived
of society’s Chinese Whispers in the first place) and then weigh in on debates
they really have no business in. It poisons the debate and turns it into a
hysterical trolling battlefield - debate is lost and nothing constructive ever
ensues. That is where the next step to believing in a cause comes in -
educating yourself. Surrounding yourself with knowledge and role models and case
studies and the pop culture and satire that is created as a result - the cause
is important, yes, but the content is where the passion and flavour and even
enjoyment lie. And that can strengthen a cause too.
I may not, (nay, I most certainly don't) believe in everyone's
cause - but I do respect that people have formed their own opinions and
campaigns through their own life experiences and have a right to make that
experience heard. I think it can be done courteously and politely. If you have
nothing nice to say, kill 'em with kindness. Always.
Until now, my blog Sales Smiles and Styles has voiced my experience
with mental illness. It's only one of many stories, one of many voices, one
aspect of a worldwide epidemic, one degree of an illness that has many forms
and varying severity. A subject that so many have struggled to come to terms
with, have hidden, have been ashamed of. But I believe that in speaking about
it openly on a public platform, even if only viewed by my close family and
friends, made a difference. Normalised it. Gave it a face and the courage for
me and others to laugh in that face. And in a roundabout way, what I would like
to do now is introduce my new blog and new found cause - my experiences as a
woman. You don't have to agree with me, you don't even have to like me, I'd
just ask that you open your ears to ideas and your eyes to a different view of
the world. Above all, respect that I believe in this cause and that others
believe in their causes for a reason. And if this blog only results in one less
person wincing at the word "feminist", I'll be rather proud of that.
Happy International Woman’s Day.
A special thanks to my strong, intelligent sister and one of my most influential female role models for the illustration.
