Commentary: Liberal women must stop trying to fight sexism with sexuality

Dear progressive women who think using their sexuality as a weapon in combating sexism: You're wrong.

Some of you like to be referred to as "nasty women" — as if it's a credit to your intellect.

Some of you think that wearing hats that resemble vaginas is a show of solidarity amongst your gender — but just because you have a vagina doesn't make you any different from women who use their bodies for personal, professional or financial gain, and who are often the very people you rail against in secret.

Some of you proudly call yourselves "sluts" — and worse — and become offended when others wrongfully agree with you.

Some of you think that "feminism" entitles you to match the lowest wits of the very men whose actions you lament, lowering yourselves to levels that you claim to abhor.

Here's the thing: Using your sex to fight sexism is meaningless.

Feminism by its very definition is "the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes." It's got nothing to do with one-upping a man in a beer-drinking contest. It's got nothing to do with parading your female body parts around for all to see and expect no negative reaction.

When did supporting your fellow woman have to become so vulgar?

Since Donald Trump became president (and before, to be fair; but much more as of late, it would seem), women from all walks of life have been coming out of the woodwork in droves, flaunting their assets and using colorful language to highlight their "intellectual superiority" as if they think it's the way to get "on par" with men.

Women don't need raunchy sexuality to make a point. And they certainly aren't taken seriously by those whose respect they're demanding when the aforementioned actions are the ones they take to prove they're bigger, better, smarter, faster, and more apt to get ahead in life.

Never before has there been such a divide between what many women consider female empowerment and what it really is. As a result, the actions that some take are setting the movement back decades. What women today are seeing is a watered-down version of feminism, complete with cheap shots intending the world to know that, somehow, genitals and lewd behavior equal dominance and power.

Many feminists use "The Feminine Mystique" as their female version of a bro bible. But if more women were looking toward Proverbs 31, their interpretation of what it means to be a strong, empowered woman might change, and thus, the world around them.

Proverbs 31:10-31 reads:

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Isn't that the type of woman you're really aiming to be, despite "freeing the nipple," protesting to burn down the White House and organizing things called "Slut Walks?" Don't you want to be — and be seen as — noble, hard-working, wise, strong, giving, loving, dignified, beloved and honored? What could be more revered than all of those traits combined?

Here's a newsflash: Many actions of women today are more crass than class, and trying to outdo every action that they despise in order to spite those who do them makes them look foolish and weak.

When women lower themselves to taking the same actions of the dregs of society's opposite sex, they're not proving "Anything you can do, I can do better."

Actually, yes, they are. And is that really the message they want to be sending to their fellow women or the next generation of women who'll inhabit our world?

Hopefully not.

Feminism used to stand for equality, strength, unity and respect.

Somewhere the message got lost in a cloud of crass vulgarities, and it feels like it's finally boxed itself into a space where there's no going back.