This topic is going to be a bit heavy, but if you stay till the bottom, I promise to end with a pleasant surprise.

Sexism.

Most well-adjusted members of society would say that sexism is not something you want to aspire to. It's doubtful there are any recognized parent magazine's promoting kids to be sexist, and to say that sexism makes the world go round in public would likely turn heads, create awful glances, and even get you punched.

But here's a question that isn't often posed...what is sexism?

Merriam-Webster defines it as "prejudice or discrimination based on sex; especially: discrimination against women"...but wait a minute...if saying discrimination or prejudice based on sex is wrong, then saying the definition applies MORE to women a little ironic?

Only a chapter behind, racism is defined as "a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race." There's no added "especially discrimination against Black/White/Latino/etc. people...because that would be racist.

Then again, can we even compare sexism with racism?

This cartoon can easily be called racist:

Stereotypes and caricatures have been seen as such, and will frequently be called out.

But what about these?

Stereotypes and caricatures of men as simple minded, stoic fools. Yet whereas the first cartoon is considered antiquated and often offensive, the next two have become normal and even acceptable by most guys.

Also, by the racism standard, how would "I'm sick of men" be okay to say while "I'm sick of [insert racial/ethnic group here] is not at all okay?

Now let it be known that I'm completely against anyone being treated as a second class citizen because of something innate. Women gaining autonomy and independence was a success not only for them, but humanity, and the feminist movement can be seen as a pioneering force for that. Plus, in all honesty, if we can't work and function together, society isn't going to prosper (then again, as 2016 can demonstrate, this happening in general is shaky).

For people to hold ambiguous standards that they themselves don't follow however, is another story. We as a culture need to create a more definite understanding of what's right and wrong, as well as understand that everything isn't always black and white. And, unlike with racism, men and women have fundamental differences, so that just add's another layer to the struggle burrito. I think however, that if we work TOGETHER, we may just be able to take down the metaphorical meal one bite at a time.

Whew...that was a pretty heavy topic, so enjoy this: