Not too long ago, Lisa Haydon went on record in an interview with TOI to give out her thoughts on feminism – and it’s been a talking point ever since.
I don’t like the word feminist. I don’t think women trying to be men is feminism. I also don’t believe in being outspoken for the sake of it, or just to prove a point. Feminism is just an overused term and people make too much noise about it for no reason. Women have been given these bodies to produce children, and the spirit and tenderness to take care of people around us. It’s fine to be an outspoken and working woman. I don’t want to be a man. One day I look forward to making dinner for my husband and children. I don’t want to be a career feminist.
She’s received some support, but she’s also received a lot of backlash. And now, the actress took to Instagram to release a statement on the subject, but it looks like she deleted it some time later. It’s the Internet, though, and of course there are screenshots… so if you’re interested in reading what she said, here you go:
In my opinion, she misses the point yet again. Talking about feminism and equality is not “noise.” If anything, it is because of all the “noise” women have made over the years that we’ve taken great strides towards equality for women – the kind of equality that makes it easier for someone like Lisa to be at the position that she is and have the opinions she does.
Feminists don’t have a problem with the fact that women’s “bodies create life” – they have a problem when people think that is their only purpose in life, or even their “greatest role ever.” No. As a person, I get to decide what my “greatest role ever” is – and it may be to give birth (in which case, great!) or it may be something else entirely (in which case, great!).
And while you can decide what “feminine” means to you, why do you get to decide what it means for everyone else? Why should anyone stay “feminine” if they don’t want to? Lisa has a right to her own opinion, of course. But what we need is a greater understanding of feminism overall – something that can only come about with more dialogue and more conversation, and even brutal calling out of sexist behaviour wherever it occurs. Unfortunately, there are people – including Lisa – who will term this as “noise.”
[We’re unsure why Lisa has deleted this response, but it’ll be interesting to see whether she chooses to clarify again.]