Music can be defined as "l or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion." Music can affect your mood, or even start or introduce movements to audiences. Many songs have themes of love, lust, pain, war, and even the "F Word": Feminism. Defined as "the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.", this movement has put into a negative light due to beliefs that feminists hate men, white feminists speaking over women of color, and feminism is no longer relevant.
I am here to tell you that while there valid criticisms of Feminism (i.e. White Feminist speaking over Women of Color, esp. If they are feminists), this movement is definitely not irrelevant and we do not hate men. There are singers and celebrities like Beyoncè, Halsey, Taylor Swift, Amber Rose, Kim Kardashian, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Lorde identify themselves as feminists. In interviews they share their opinions that usually leads to more discussion and actively seek spaces welcoming Feminism. Singers like Beyoncè, Lilly Allen, and Fifth Harmony have feminist themes in their music. With songs like "Flawless", "Hard Out Here", " BO$$", and albums like Lemonade, it is not hard to learn about the true meanings of feminism.
While many people view Feminism as a monolith, there are various forms of Feminism with different emphasis and objectives. Womanism, Intersectional Feminism, and Radical Feminism are just to name a few.
There are also different movements that have branched off from feminism that are popular in social media that also come with their own valid criticisms: Free The Nipple is the most popular movement that has been discussed on social media for the past two years. Based on the idea that we should no longer sexualize female body parts that are not sexualized on male bodies, specifically the nipple, a movement was born. Unsurprisingly, there has been valid and invalid backlash for this movement. Some think this is unnecessary and women who want to show their nipple are "slutty" while others believe that FTN is only for thin, white women with perky breasts. In my opinion, this movement may have good intentions but should be more inclusive.
Feminism can also be found in college courses and majors like Women and Gender Studies, and classes like Human Sexuality. You may have rolled your eyes those names but I did not make them up on the spot. In this concentrations, you can learn about topics discussed in feminism and other movements. You do not even have to identify yourself as a feminist to learn how people perceive gender, gender roles and sexuality over periods in history.
What do you know about Feminism in the media?
