Feminist.

There, I said it. And you know what? I bet half of you cringed, rolled your eyes, or made some other sign of irritation. Why? What even is a feminist? Interesting question, I'm glad you asked.

Of. The. S-E-X-E-S. Plural. As in men and women. Equality. What a concept, right? That's what this movement is about. It's not about women taking over the world and making men inferior. And feminists aren't all bra-burning, furious, protesting crazy women. I mean, maybe some of them are? But that's a totally different thing all together. Seriously, that stereotype is getting old. It's 2017, people! WAKE UP AND SMELL THE INEQUALITY. It's there, I promise. Pop quiz! Do you think people should get equal pay for equal work regardless of their gender? Do you think women deserve sexual freedom? Do you think sexual assault is a problem that needs to be addressed and stopped? If you answered yes to one or more of those questions, you're probably a feminist.

Relax. Nobody is saying that you absolutely are a feminist now and you have to go run through the streets with protest signs. That panic you felt was just the prejudice most people have towards feminism. It's time to open our eyes and see what's really going on here. Educate yourself. Look at things a different way. We need to stop saying that we are "over feminism". Like, do you realize what you're saying? Saying you're "over feminism" is saying that you're over gender equality. That's a little silly, and frankly a little dramatic. Yes, I understand that there are a lot of crazies out there. But we can't let that overshadow the true roots of feminism. And yes, I understand that we have come so far from where we used to be. But Susan B. Anthony, Alice Paul and countless other courageous women did not dedicate their lives to battling inequality for us to just settle. We need to unify. Support each other. Get educated. Watch Iron Jawed Angels (it's amazing). Read Full Frontal Feminism by Jessica Valenti (eye opening and hilarious). Know what's going on. Watch the news. Google ways to get involved if you feel moved to do so. Men, think about your mothers, your sisters, your nieces, your daughters, your girlfriends, your wives. Everyone, think about what the future looks like. Think about how you can make a positive change. Just, think.