‘Feminism’ has become a bad word.

If you type “feminism” into the Google or YouTube search bar, the first suggestions are phrases like “Feminism is stupid”, “Feminist Fails”, “Feminist Cringe Compilation”, and last but not least, “Feminism is cancer”. Along with these results, you can find videos of college-age men ranting about “feminazis” (called so because I guess wanting equality for women is the same as attempting to exterminate an entire race), posts about how “chivalry is dead because feminism killed it”, and of course, the wildly popular Meninist Twitter account.

However, despite being a feminist myself, I am not here to bash or mindlessly tear apart these pieces of media. I am going to explain the popularity of this particular depiction of feminism.

The most popular media image of a feminist is an overweight, ugly, angry, man-hating, bra-burning, armpit hair-growing she-devil who is only interested in women’s rights because she doesn’t get enough male attention. Feminists are supposedly everywhere, and every single one is loud, annoying, and easily offended. This mythical depiction is used to delegitimize and trivialize the feminist movement, and some may do it without even knowing it. I’m sure the young men who create anti-feminist content don’t hate women with a burning passion, and are probably even feminists by definition. However, the fragility of their egos prevents them from partaking in any actual discussions with a feminist.

In this article, I will attempt to disprove misconceptions about feminism many men hold. By definition, feminism is the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men. By definition, we should all be feminists as a human race. However, the stigma behind identifying as a feminist prevents many from doing so. Let me clear some things up.

Firstly, feminism isn’t about hating men. Whenever people find out I am a feminist, they ask, “So you hate men?” Obviously I don’t. Feminism should have little to even do with men. But for some, when something doesn’t involve them, it’s unfair. Anti-feminists ask, “What about men? Why does it always have to be about women being oppressed?” From this sprung the Meninist movement, a (poorly executed) satire and attack against feminism. Participants ask such hard-hitting questions as “Why do men always have to hold doors?” and “Women get more free drinks than men!” Here’s an honest statement that hasn’t sunk in with men’s rights activists yet: not everything is about you.

Another misconception is that feminists hate traditional feminine activities such as shaving, doing chores, wearing dresses, putting on makeup, raising children, etc. However, feminism is about encouraging women to do whatever they please without societal lash back. Choosing to be a housewife should be the same as choosing to be an engineer, or CEO, or doctor. Some “feminists” claim staying at home and raising children is oppressive. These people are not real feminists. I’m a feminist and I love wearing makeup and dresses. However, I respect some women’s choice to not wear makeup or dresses. Feminism is about the freedom to choose and not criticizing other women for making different choices.

Lastly, many anti-feminists do not see why the human race needs feminism. Women already have the right to vote, some say. Women are already equal. That is not entirely true. Women all across the world are beaten, raped, and abused in a dangerous trend of submission forced upon them by men. Women who are victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault are almost always blamed for provoking or causing the damage. Women are scared to walk alone in the fear of being attacked. Women are followed, harassed, shamed, and denied for simply for being female. Income inequality is not a myth. I could go on forever listing reasons why feminism is still necessary, and that statement alone should prove my point.

The fact that there is still stigma surrounding feminism is proof enough more people should be educated about it. I encourage you, if you believe in this cause, identify as a feminist and help break the taboo. And if any Meninists are reading this, do your research before making a “Top Ten Feminist Fail Moments” video.