Freedom of Speech

Over the decade and numerous before, people have waged a war against the shackles of censorship or laws that keep us away from utilizing our power to voice our opinions. So much so that gradually ' Freedom of Speech ' has become the most demanded right by all individuals, be it in the form of written or spoken opportunities to communicate without restrictions.
But in the recent years the definition of these three words has seemed to evolve so much that we tend to ignore the impacts of our words completely and also ponder upon our words before they're inscribed or uttered weighing there credibility. Anything anyone says is protected by these three words simply, irrespective of all other aspects. It's healthy to speak up without fear and to debate too. I myself practice the same as I approve of it. But in all this we sometimes forget that debate encompasses positive criticism and not that which contains foul or derogatory language.
This is only one aspect of ' Freedom of Speech ' that we never consider. On the other hand there is something even more important that we tend to ignore. We tend to confuse ' Freedom of Speech ' with the act of not thinking at all when we speak. It's okay to oppose something and yes sometimes we do cross boundaries intentionally or unintentionally when we debate, but sometimes our words are a little more than just criticism, they are more of insulting. I'm not referring to basic opposition here. I may not like a person and hence I may speak up against them evidently presenting facts that support me in condemning their acts but then there is a moment where we should remember that we should never use such strong language unless there is proper evidence to it and it isn't an allegation.
Lastly we need to learn to think about how our words may upset someone. I'm speaking for this irrespective of the age of the speaker. One we tend to ignore how our words can bother anyone and two we completely ignore this if we are either elder or are of supposedly a better status as compared to them. Your age is not a certification that whatever you say is flawless and neither is your social status. A 15 years old can pass a better judgement than a 40 year old, there is no hard an fast rule that it isn't possible. Its solely depends on their mental age which I'm sorry if you don't agree but can rarely but still be the quite opposite too. Same goes for the view of supposedly a manager and a CEO. You may have more experience but it doesn't mean someone below you can never speak logically. As much as we support ' Freedom of Speech ' we need to support ' Courage to Listen '. Plus ever wonder why depression, anxiety and all such other disorders are on the rise too much recently, we tend to never think before we speak. Be it your sibling, friend, parent, teacher, student or child, irrespective of age learn to respect people's rights and think before you speak.

False Limitations

I usually tend to keep myself away from writing anything during the exam season because everyone knows my work is no way near brief, and I'd rather study instead of plunging myself into the depths of a topic that isn't the most important thing at the moment.
But I witnessed something today that encouraged me write this and it's impossible for me to control that desire of not penning down my thoughts when they come straight to me, without the need to ponder.
NEVER, I repeat NEVER believe you are incapable or not worth something. No one knows their true worth except Allah who has created us. He knows what lies ahead of us and so He alone can define our limitations of our growth and our capacities.
NEVER loose faith in yourself, just keep going no matter how many times you fail.
NEVER let anything or anyone stop you no matter how hurt, depressed or devastated you may find yourself.
I've witnessed someone change a lot today and the right to her privacy restricts me of speaking a word of her experience. But I can tell you one thing, this young lady has changed minds. Minds of those that effected her, all because she never lost faith in herself. She's my mentor, someone who's experiences always encourage me to keep going.
She grown so much just before me, I assure you each one of you can turn out to be like her. The people that once looked down upon her, can't deny that they are proud to be acquainted to her today. Yet she has a long way to go, and I'm sure she'll excel beyond imaginations.
You too can reshape your future, you just need the will to never give up.
I know it's exam season, a tough time for all. This isn't the biggest test in your life but it's impact is still undeniable. Put in all your efforts and then leave it to Allah, what He wills. Accept His decision with grace, no matter what it is and then move. Be ready to face the next challenge, with even more hope and enthusiasm. One day you'll be proud of yourselves, not alone for what you've achieved but also all the fears you've overcome.
Good luck everyone!
May Allah reward you with what's the best for you.

Defining Feminism

"Feminism is a range of political movements, ideologies, and social movements that share a common goal: to define, establish, and achieve equal political, economic, personal, and social rights for women. This includes seeking to establish equal opportunities for women in education and employment."
Some people need to roat learn this definition. Feminism is not a crime, it's a belief that we need to overcome today's realities where women are treated as inferior to men. It isn't an issue of the rural alone, in the urban areas to the dilemma exits, consider merely the wage differential. Anyone can choose to be a feminist, genders don't define your beliefs. Feminism is a movement against male chauvinism, not against the entire male gender or every single man. Yes men and women differ in certain ways and yes not all women may be able to equally compete with men in each of life's races, but that doesn't mean women are inferior. Incapability and inferiority are two things poles apart. Inferiority is what someone faces due to the norms of the society. Incapability is something that only sets us apart from someone else, doesn't declare us as below them. Incapability can be tried to overcome but even a feminist agrees it has certain boundaries too. Women bear a lot a man can not, same way men do a lot every woman may not be able to do. Feminism agrees to it and only asks for the opportunity to be given a chance to try to overcome those incapabilities.
No man is born as a perfect individual, he too progresses, but easily because he has no barriers set for him. Feminism demands the same for women, to be given that right to excel without any halts or limitations. Feminism only speaks for the biases set by our society declaring women inferior to men, which basically violates the human rights too.
Feminism does not define sexuality or hatred, feminism defines a movement for some of women's rights as a human being. Feminism doesn't define a woman's preference as to how she acts or dresses. That is a women's individual choice, not a part of the ideology of feminism. Feminism demands for the right for women to make their decisions, feminism doesn't support every wrong decision she takes.
Women have rights no matter what religion they follow, and feminism speaks for their rights. Yes religious preferences may effect as to the span of the issues that come under feminism for every women individually, but still no one can deny her rights as a whole.
I'm a feminist, yes I demand equal rights for women. But I respect certain limitations too. I am a feminist like many others around the globe, but that doesn't define everything another feminist believes to be a woman's right is exactly what I believe in too. I'm a feminist who doesn't support body shaming, but I'm feminist who doesn't support indecency either. I'm a feminist who doesn't believe a woman should have to face domestic violence and that she shouldn't be the one forced to give up. But then I do believe a woman's sacrifices for her family aren't wrong only if she wills to do so, and not when they're enforced on her. I am a feminist, a proud feminist. Don't blame my belief for someone else's actions. My belief speaks of equality alone, my belief doesn't include the limits of equality. Each society sets it's own. Don't blame feminism for something done that is morally wrong. I am a feminist who demands a women's will to be involved in a relationship, but my feminism doesn't define the right to have polygamous relationships. I am a feminist who believes a women's consent is vital for any sexual act but my feminism doesn't define I support pre-marital or extra-marital involvements. I am a feminist who demands the right for a woman to not be harassed, but then I do believe in the same for men too. Feminism is a branch of the struggle for acquiring basic human rights for all, just as the right to be treated equally without religious or racial discrimination. Don't blame my belief for an individuals actions. Feminism asks for equality, it doesn't define support for each person's individual actions.

Definition courtesy Wikipedia.