Feminist vs. Feminazi

Growing up, being raised by feminists, I was brought up with some interesting theories on men. While strong and intelligent women in so many ways, my mother and grandmother are, unfortunately, of the "men are scum" variety of feminists. My grandmother's unhappy marriage and my mother's chronic bad choice in partners didn't exactly leave a good taste in my mouth when it came to the opposite sex. Despite having mostly male friends (Canadian male friends...American males are a whole other breed), the notion of a happy, healthy relationship free of drama and ulterior motives was as foreign to me as women are to Richard Simmons. Men were great as friends (like women, but less drama and more debate!) and "historically," my male friendships have been some of the strongest over the course of my life. However, like the women that raised me, I ultimately regarded them with suspicion and sometimes contempt, and had little faith in their overall humanity. I was always the first to crack the men-bashing jokes amongst girl friends and when something went afoul in a male relationship, the source of the dispute could ultimately be traced back to their masculinity (I felt). While I never considered myself a man-hating woman, I wasn't exactly their biggest supporter.

However, as with all things personal recently, the tides are turning. As I spend more time with my male friends and less with certain company, I find my own previously held prejudices crumbling (and rather quickly, too). It's as if having had the proverbial blindfold lifted. Today I came to a realization: in the words of Henry Mancini (and preferably in the voice of Judy Garland), "we're after the same rainbow's end."

One man in particular has opened my eyes to a completely different side of masculinity. He is truly a man, in every sense of the word, and I continue to be amazed at his strength, his softness, and his lovingkindness. A feminist and a hopeless romantic, he is the sort of man every woman wishes for, but rarely sees, and I've been fortunate enough to have our paths cross in more ways and places than one. Exemplifying the feminist ideal, he has managed to warm even the coldest woman scorned, and through him, I'm beginning to see the whole other gender in an entirely new, more complimentary light. Words cannot even begin to describe the sense of wonder experienced with him and because of him...I am eternally indebted.

According to a certain class of mine, one of the major components of arguing successfully (and, ultimately, enjoying a happy life) is accepting one's own fallibility. Right now, I'm enjoying being proved wrong, by a feminist and a man, over and over again, my old ideas, every day.
Thank you.