121 years ago, in the New Year of 1902, the young Javanese noblewoman and iconic women’s rights pioneer R.A. Kartini and her elder sister experienced a sisterhood revelation which was part of the foundation for Kartini’s greatness as an Indonesian national hero. Kartini described it like this:
“WHEN we were in Samarang {sic, the modern spelling is Semarang}, our eldest sister came over to see us, “Sister, sister,” was all that she said, when she
had seen me. The arms that were thrown around me trembled, and her eyes were filled with tears. We were silent; we understood each other. At last we have found our sister.
At last, after years, we have gained her understanding and respect
That gives us new courage, because at first, she was very conservative,
and was opposed violently to every innovation.”
I see the same glorious beauty in Persian women of the “Women. Life. Freedom” movement in Melbourne.
Mona and Mas, Persian friends.
Is this the fourth wave of feminism, which I predict will strive to replace the self-hatred, victimhood and misandry of third wave feminism with love and fairness for all?
Geoff Fox, New Years Day, 2023, Australia
FREEDOM, DEMOKRASI AND CIVILISED HUMANITY 