If You're Not A Feminist You Are Living Your Life WRONG
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

If You're Not A Feminist You Are Living Your Life WRONG

Why Feminism is awesome and the reasons we shouldn't be so scared of it.

95
If You're Not A Feminist You Are Living Your Life WRONG
AJ Yorio - Unsplash

I identify myself as many things. A nerd, a gamer, a daughter, an aunt, a book-lover and a writer just to name a few. One thing I have always had a lot of pride in identifying as is a feminist.

What bothers me most is that for some reason, we are at a point in time in which this is something I should be ashamed of. Being a feminist is something I am supposed to feel dirty about. Well, I kindly refuse and will explain to you why.

When I was younger (and even now) I was a huge fan of Joss Whedon's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" a show about demons, the occult and the one girl in all the world destined to protect against these forces of evil. Buffy taught me so many lessons about what makes a girl powerful and brave, as well as what can break a girl down.

I remember in the early 2000's I watched an interview featuring Joss Whedon in which he labeled himself a feminist. I was confused to say the least, because I didn't understand how a man was allowed to be a feminist. So I did some research and discovered something I should've known all along, feminism is not a ladies club for man-hating, but instead the notion that women are equivalent to men--not better, not worse.

This was something of a revelation for me and led me to discover my immense love for strong women in television, film, literature and games. I began to gravitate toward female protagonists, not because I felt they were better, but because they showed me that women experienced all the same hurdles as a Luke Skywalker or a Clark Kent. The struggles of men were no different than the struggles of any human, and leading ladies gave me the ability to see this first hand.

Over the course of the past year, I have had many people shudder in disbelief when I say I'm a feminist, or wrinkle their nose as if I just said "Yeah, I murder kittens on the weekend. You know, for funsies." I've even had women I know say things like "Yeah I think women should be equal to men, but I'm not a feminist."

Well I hate to break it to you, but you are, and you should definitely be proud. While I am well aware there exists a pretty toxic community of women who think men should be obliterated and we should create some Amazonian society, that IS NOT WHAT FEMINISM IS ABOUT.

Feminism is simply the notion that women are people too. That the fact that a wage-gap exists is foolish. That assumptions made about my abilities based on my gender are preposterous. That I am here only to cry and eat bon bons and bring children to life is absurd. Feminism has nothing to do with me hating men or believing I am superior because I have a vagina, but that my genitalia determines absolutely nothing about who I am and what I am capable of.

I think if we can get to a place where men and women alike live by this school of thought, we will see a more prosperous and positive future for not only young women growing up in this world, but young men too. If we can teach young men to not identify women as objects and instead their equals, we can create a world in which consent is not only taught, but understood. It also gives men the opportunity to explore their emotions and become more comfortable in their own skin.

If we can teach young women that they are capable of whatever they set their mind to, the way we teach this to young men, we can build a world in which equality is a right, not a privilege.

If you took the time to read through this and you are scared of feminism, I implore you to think of the way you feel about women and their rights. If you agreed with most of what I said here, then consider that you may very well be a feminist too, and you should be extremely proud of that fact. Together, we can reverse the stigma of feminism and bring up a generation that values all human life, not just the ones that have a penis.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

56576
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36434
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958305
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

188629
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments