By YKA Staff:
In a recent interview with The Times of India, actor Lisa Haydon was asked, “Do you think the concept of feminism is often misconstrued?” Before you read the answer, just a reminder that Lisa starred (and killed it) in ‘Queen’, one of the most feminist films of Bollywood, in the last few years.
While this was a fictional role, we were still really taken aback by Lisa’s answer:
*Facepalm*
But here’s the good thing (and there is one that came out of this!). Many users online didn’t hesitate before calling her out and really explaining what feminism means and how it’s really not a bad word. And why does this matter? Because honestly, we’ve lost count of the number of times the meaning of feminism has been misconstrued, with people feeling intimidated, alienated, scared or just angered by it, instead of really understanding what it means.
All hope isn’t lost:
An important message for you, Lisa.
Hi @HaydonLisa, the fact that you're able to go on a public platform at all and speak so openly is pretty much all thanks to feminism.
— Rashmi Daryanani (@tehrashminator) May 23, 2016
Realise that feminists have fought for YEARS to get us to the point where YOU can freely speak. You owe this to feminism. @HaydonLisa
— Rashmi Daryanani (@tehrashminator) May 23, 2016
Yes! You can be a mother, make dinner for your family AND be a feminist.
https://twitter.com/Aparna/status/734607487840751616
She gets it.
Oh dear, Lisa Haydon. You can be a feminist & still cook dinner for your husband & children. And "produce children". pic.twitter.com/ydwVoK6Vnw
— Brown Sahiba (@Rajyasree) May 23, 2016
Yea, Gamora. We agree.
Idk what Lisa Haydon meant by the whole "idk Feminism" thing. But I'm pretty sure she got the idea all wrong.
— key (@nctdesi) May 23, 2016
#CareerFeminist powering through.
Thanks to Lisa Haydon, I have learnt that I'm a career feminist.
— rv (@Puppyvedi) May 23, 2016
Hits you, if you deconstruct it this way.
According to #LisaHaydon feminists:
– Don't make dinner for husband
– Don't make dinner for child
– Are outspoken
– Are noisy
– Are men— Hamna Zubair (@hamnazubair) May 22, 2016
You said it, Swati.
https://twitter.com/SwatiDixit28/status/734472008319262721
Ya, can we really understand this?
Yo, Lisa Haydon. It's possible for women to be feminists and also want to give birth to and provide for their kids? Not mutually exclusive.
— eva garvey fan account (@irldashwoodgirl) May 22, 2016
I'd love to be a "career feminist" I got a career & am feminist. That does the trick? @HaydonLisa
So disappointed: https://t.co/WbjMS66Svj— Manak Matiyani (@Dafliwala) May 22, 2016
We also found a fair share of people who supported Lisa. Well, of course, there’s still a long way to go!
@HaydonLisa Read your views on TOI , Surprised! Only if more women understood that. But nah they want men to be tradional ¬ themselves .
— Vacant Azkaban (@Vikramwalke) May 23, 2016
@HaydonLisa Such brilliance! Respect! pic.twitter.com/P4GNHqgjHG
— The Young Monk (@meherpratap) May 22, 2016
Seeing these comments too just made us think of how wonderful it would be if people just stop looking at feminism as a battle between sexes and just understand it for what it is – equality. In the recent past, a few actresses have made some powerful remarks about sexism in the industry and showed us why feminism is really needed, especially in a space like Bollywood. Check out what these three had to say: Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut and Anushka Sharma.
And finally, if you’re still wondering what the hullabaloo is all about and why Haydon’s comments are ignorant, this video explains feminism best, and we really recommend you watch it: ‘We Should All Be Feminists’
That’s all from us, folks. We’d love to know what you think about Lisa Haydon’s comments and about feminism – share your views in the comments below or email us.