Nowadays, most women across the nation hold feminist ideologies, but do not want to be associated with the label, "Feminist." Celebrities are the worst and back away from the label, such as Lady Gaga and Lana Del Rey, and even Taylor Swift.
What these women do not realize is that feminism is the whole reason that they are even able to voice their opinions publicly. Why do they feel the need to avoid the word? Why do women now not realize that without feminism, we would still be battling for basic human rights that brave women of our past fought for without fearing the label "feminist".
Young women avoid the term now, saying that they do not want to be associated with "feminazis" and that they do not believe women should be over men, but everyone who says this doesn't even have the correct view of feminism. Every movement in our nation has or has had an extremist group. Whether it has been religious groups, political movements, or more, there are always the worst people who are a part of it that scare viewers away. "Feminazis" are just radical feminists, or an extremist group. What about extremist groups like the Westboro Baptist Church or even radical Islam? They are the worst of the worst of their groups and are frowned upon by people who are associated with any Baptist Church or Islam. That is exactly how feminazis are viewed by feminists.
In many polls, young Americans agree with the fact that they believe in the equality of sexes, but disagree with the fact that they are a feminist. They do not want to be the man-hating, self-absorbed feminazis that pop up in their social media feeds, that claim if you aren't like them, you aren't a feminist. Which is understandable. Young women now have the wrong idea of feminism and it is due to what is put in their faces everyday. This is what is wrong with today's feminist movement.
As a young teenager, I was not confident in my views at all on feminism. It could have to do with the fact that I grew up in the South where it is not normal for anyone to associate themselves with the label. If you ever claimed you were a feminist, people would start arguments and, even adults, would bully you over it. And this is still an issue today. In the South, racism and sexism is so hostile without people who show it even knowing. It can be scary being the only person you know who stands up for something different, something not traditional, which the South is not fond of.
I get excited when I see more young feminists who are so rebellious towards the "norm" and so empowered, ready to take on whatever is thrown at them. More people need to know it is okay to be like this, to not be timid and scared of what they think. We now have this movement full of women-of-color, people who work, and people who are not the typical feminists.
Now, feminism with these 2016 elections are confusing, because yeah, everyone wants a woman as the President, but our views are more important than the sex of the new POTUS. Yes, most feminists identify with the Democratic Party.. It makes the most sense. But having Hillary Clinton as the Democratic candidate is a struggle for us. She is a supporter of populism and feminism, but is super comfortable with Big Finance and corporate interests? Clinton's campaign is targeting young women to stand behind her, while also scaring those who are struggling for better economic conditions. I mean, this is definitely not sending us Donald Trump's way. This is, however, scaring many people away from voting in these elections. Young feminists need to remember that they play a role and need to vote. That is as much as I can really go into the elections without seeming too biased. We just have to vote and see how these elections play out.
Young women who are not wanting to be labeled a feminist will most likely change their mind as they go through life and see the economic conditions and workplace conditions they will have to experience. Until then, we need to help this movement show that it is very inclusive, open to views, not "girls versus guys," and aware of everything going on in the world, whether it be economic issues or abortion rights.
