Feminists get a bad name due to the radical feminists who, for lack of better words, are man haters.These women go around preaching about how men are the inferior gender, but what few understand (and what the media forgets to mention) is that this is a very small percentage of feminists. Saying that these women address and stand for the feminist movement as whole is incorrect, and frankly offensive. Feminist are made up of so much more than just this small percentage. It is made up of fathers, brothers, mothers and daughters. All of these people recognize the lack of equality in America ranging from the wage gap to short paternity leaves. These people wish to have this equality so that future generations will be better off. These women would also go on about how women shouldn't have to shave or wear bras nor should they express any type of femininity, and while I agree with the shaving and wearing bras aspect of their arguments (girl you do you, don't let social constructs rule your life), I fully disagree with the femininity aspect. If a woman does not want to express or present themselves as feminine, that is 100% her choice, and I support that. What we shouldn't do is tell all women that being feminine or liking feminine things makes you less of a feminist.
Feminists have a tendency to say things like "You shouldn't wear makeup because wearing makeup is only to impress boys". This is absolutely ridiculous. I, a passionate makeup lover, and many others view makeup as an art form. I love the process of putting on makeup, and most of all i love how it makes me feel. I have never worn makeup to "impress a guy", I wear it to express myself artistically and frankly I enjoy wearing it. Even if you wear makeup to impress someone, there is nothing wrong with that. Sometimes a girl wants to look pretty for a boy. Sometimes a woman wants to wear lingerie to show off to her man. There is nothing wrong with that. We as feminists should accept this and acknowledge that sometimes a woman wants to feel pretty, and her reasons should make no difference to how much of a feminist she is.
The fact of the matter is that a feminist is a feminist. No matter how they chose to present themselves, they can be just as much of a feminist as anyone else. Wearing heels, shaving your legs, and wearing makeup is a woman's choice, even if she wants to do it for a man. It is hypocritical of feminists to say that they cannot do this, as equality is the main goal. So go and do a full face of makeup, wear a dress, and shave your legs. Don't be afraid to be who you are in fear of being viewed as less of a feminist. You do you girl.
