Feminists often get a bad reputation, as shown in the Odyssey article, I Am A Female and I Am So Over Feminists. First things first, I am all for criticism of feminism. If you have something to say and a point to contribute to the topic of gender equality, go for it!

Feminism is not a rulebook.

The only notion you have to believe in to be a feminist is the equality of the genders. That's it. You can't believe in equality and not be a feminist. That's like being a skin doctor, but not a dermatologist. It's how words work. And if someone doesn't believe in equality, they aren't feminists. End of story. So someone who believes that women are better than men is simply not a feminist.

That being said, the point about women not being paid as much for sports has valid arguments on both sides. Just because you don't agree with someone's interpretation of feminism, doesn't mean that all feminism is bad.

Chivalry is not a one-way street.

The idea that only guys should hold doors open, pay for meals, and fix a flat tire is absurd. These actions are all nice, well-meaning gestures, but I believe relationships should have respect going both ways. Maybe one person pays for one meal, and another pays for the next. Maybe whoever gets to the door first holds it open for the person behind them. Maybe the person who is most capable of fixing a flat tire should do the "dirty work." This is not saying that guys cannot be "gentlemen" and treat their partner, but girls should be welcome to fulfill that role as well.

Our bodies are different, our treatment shouldn't be.

I really don't believe that any feminist is saying that all women are capable of being tackled a 220-pound linebacker, heck most men aren't. What feminists are saying is that "periods" don't exclude women from leadership roles, that women can have a family and a career, and that women should be able to be assertive without being seen as emotional or aggressive. And this affects men, too. Men should not feel the immense pressure of needing to be the sole provider of the family or feel like they cannot show emotions, or have people immediately question their sexuality when they want to be an actor or a dancer. Our bodies are different, but everyone's bodies are. Whether you are female, male, tall, short, big, or small, everyone should be given the opportunities that they deserve.

The gender pay gap is concerning.

I do not understand how anyone could "stop complaining" just because the conditions now are better than they used to be. With that mentality, we shouldn't have passed the Equal Pay Act of 1964 because "at least women could vote," right? I am so, so grateful to have the opportunities and support I have that would not have had a few decades ago, but there is still so far to go before everything is equal.

It's not about hating men.

Feminists hate the patriarchy. They hate that they are pushed out of STEM fields, that they are told they have to raise a family, and that they have to say "I'm sorry" when starting sentences to not come off as too aggressive. It's of course frustrating that some men don't understand their privilege, but we are angry at society. We want to be their equals, not overpower them. Of course, there is no better gender, but right now, women around the world face discrimination every day. So instead of bashing the movement that is trying to do something about it, add your voice to the dialogue, and make a real change.