As Bell Hooks said, "Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression." This is what feminism is.
Feminism is not a bunch of angry, topless lesbians shouting until they are blue in the face while holding up signs that say "FREE THE NIPPLE" (nothing wrong with this, though). Feminism is simply wanting equal rights and opportunities for all people.
Feminism is not a movement about hating men. We don't hate men. In fact, we love men. Furthermore, we need men to make this thing work. We need to be partners with each other through this time when we need recognition and support.
Feminism is not angry. Feminism is hungry. Hungry for opportunities, hungry for rights, hungry for respect.
Saying you aren't a feminist makes you look like someone who doesn't want anyone to have equal rights. Saying you aren't a feminist makes you look like you want rich white men ruling the world for the rest of eternity.
You can be a feminist and still want to have children. You can be a feminist and still want to be a stay-at-home mom who bakes. You can be a feminist and be traditional. By saying you aren't a feminist, it is wishing ill will on all females and all people everywhere. Women are the majority in our world. It's time we start acting like it.
Feminism is strong. Feminism is beautiful. Feminism is asking to wake up the world that still objectifies women's bodies. Feminism is asking to shake a society that still cat-calls women in the street, making them feel targeted and unsafe. Feminism is asking to change a nation that still doesn't pay women equally for the same job.
Feminism is asking that we raise our children equally. That we tell little girls to be astronauts just as often as we tell little boys. That we ask little boys if they have girlfriends just as often as we ask little girls if they have boyfriends. That we stop telling little girls that the ideal life is to run around fetching things for her husband all day and taking care of the kids and start telling them that they can change the world and have a career, that they can choose any life that they want.
Do not be afraid of feminism. Do not be afraid to say you're a feminist. Do you believe in equal opportunity for all people? Then you're a feminist. Do not be scared of a word just because you're intimidated by the power it holds to make an extraordinary change.
Feminism isn't trying to hurt anybody. Feminism is trying to help everybody.
