This week, one tweet sparked a discussion I thought could benefit from further discussion.

The tweeter? PantheR

The tweet?

It is a simple and introspective question that we could all stop to think about. The reality of having to unlearn things is daunting and very real. So many ideas are unconsciously ingrained in our minds before we can grasp just how damaging they are. I thought it would be interesting to compile some of the responses PantheR received and see how applicable they were to all of us.

1. Slut Shaming

2. White Privilege

3. Internalized Racism

4. Internalized homophobia/transphobia

5. Male approval (Read approval in general also)

6. Caucasian beauty stereotypes; "light-skin beauty"

7. Self hatred; doubting

8. Learning to say sorry

9. Realizing you don't need to say sorry all the time

10. Stereotypes. Stereotypes. Stereotypes.

11. Tomboy superiority; "you're not like other girls;" Misogony

12. "Women in a Meeting Language"

If I were to personally have to mark each of the aforementioned mistakes I have committed, 75 percent of the list would have something by it. And this isn't me saying "woe is me, I used to be such a horrible person." Quite the contrary.

I think anyone who has enough perspective on themselves to see how far they have come or realize a past fault is doing a hell of a lot more than the majority of the population.

Looking back, it is obvious where the root to some of these problems is located: us. So many of these are perpetuated onto each other and most importantly the future/children. When you tell a little girl she cannot play with the racecar or Hulk gloves, you are instilling antiquated gender norms, a lack of self worth, and a whole lot of negativity. When you catcall that woman walking to her mailbox and think you are being complimentary, you are actually just being a misogynistic a**hole. When you hate on someone's efforts to think outside the box, express themselves, or be different, you clearly are the one with the minuscule confidence because someone did the same to you once.

I write this to commend this conversation, and commend all those who tweeted in regards to it or realize they too have made the same kind of progress. You can't better the world without bettering yourself first.