Why? Because there are more things to be offended about than a female showing her nipple in the same fashion a man does.
Don’t get me wrong, I can see where people can get turned off from being a feminist. For months, I found myself one of the “anti- feminists,” confused about exactly what feminism is. So, let me clear it up for you too. Feminism isn’t man hating. Feminism is equality building. Feminism isn’t radical. Feminism is moral. Feminism isn’t just for liberals; feminism is for everyone. Feminists can be men too, not just women. Popular male feminists include Daniel Radcliffe, David Schwimmer, John Legend and even Prince Harry. Feminism is inclusive of all genders, including those who are gender neutral, transgender, women, men or do not identify whatsoever.
I never realized exactly why I personally needed feminism in my life until I was discussing with classmates my future plans after high school. I was promptly told a career in law and politics would discourage men from marrying me because I would be too bold. Too bold. No man would marry me. Try education instead. These things, although I’m sure were backed with good intentions, were backed with sexism as well. This classmate did not realize how offensive his statement actually was. One, the statement assumed that finding a husband is more important than my future career. I hate to break it to you, but it's 2016, and finding a husband isn’t the top of every woman’s list. Two, I love being bold. If my boldness scares you, I would not want to marry a wimp anyways. If my want for equality intimidates a man, then that just proves the amount of inequality and sexism in our society to begin with.
I need feminism in my life because of the double standards that I’ve experienced and have watched other women struggle through. Women in this society cannot win. If a woman is saving herself for marriage, she is a prude. If a woman is sexually active, she is promiscuous, a slut or dirty. If a woman dresses modestly, she is old fashioned and should “loosen up.” If a woman does just that, she is degraded as a slut or disrespectful to her own body. If a woman decides to be a stay at home mother or house wife, she is lazy. If a woman goes after a degree, into a “man’s field,” she is too brash and bold; she is too intimidating to the man. As a woman, negotiating through the waters of life without challenging someone’s double standard is like trying to find a needle in a hay stack: impossible.
I am a feminist because I can’t walk down the street without hearing, “Hey baby _____!” I am a feminist because I believe that my work should be as valued as a man’s. I am a feminist because I believe that women and men should be held to the same standard, whether it be in the workplace, home, education, sports or clothing. I am a feminist because I don’t want my daughters to grow up hearing that their sexuality is something to hide away and be ashamed of, but their body is something to be owned by a man. I don’t want my daughters to grow up being taught to change themselves to find a man rather than change the world by being themselves.
I am a feminist because I view myself and any other women to be equal with those of the other sex; tell me what’s so radical about that?
“I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat.”
― Rebecca West
