With both women and men alike, there is a misconception with feminism. Some people think that all feminists want to do is get rid of men in society and reject all aspects of femininity. It is the reason why some say that they are "over feminism." They also say that they don't need feminism because they aren't oppressed. Frankly, not agreeing with feminism because you yourself do not feel oppressed is like saying that you do not support cancer research because you do not have cancer yourself. These are the people that don't understand what feminism actually is.
While it does mean different things to different people, the root of feminism is the fight for the equality of men and women and for human rights. If you believe in the equality of the sexes and you support the rights of not only women but all people, you are a feminist -- whether you label yourself as one or not. If you truly believe that men and women are equal around the world and that feminism is not needed, you are mistaken.
While feminism's root is equality, there is so much more that is built off of that. For many people, it is standing up to a president that believes it is OK to grope women because he is rich and famous and call a woman "nasty" for speaking out for what she believes in. It is helping educate women on signs of domestic violence and how to get help. It is standing up for women's healthcare by making birth control, pap tests and mammograms available to those who otherwise would not be able to afford it. It is fighting against rape culture that is still prevalent and needs to be extinguished. It is fighting for the rights of the LGBT+ community. It is stopping the shameful stigma surrounding women's menstruation and breastfeeding. It is encouraging women in terribly oppressive countries to find strength to gain independence. It is getting lawmakers to fight for paid maternity leave for both mothers and fathers. It is not forcing certain gender roles simply because they are tradition. It is accepting all body types and not shaming those of a particular size. It is all of these things and so much more.
There is a reason why the Women's March was a global sensation. It is a fight that started long ago and will continue to progress. Millions of men and women agree that the issues of inequality are still prevalent in society and still need to be fought for. While the rights of certain people, especially women, have gotten better over the years, there is still progress to be made not only in America but around the world. You may not agree that you need feminism, but millions of men and women do. In fact, it is not only women that are feminists. Men that are feminists recognize the unique talents that women bring to the table and value them as equals. Feminists are fighting for an array of issues and they are fighting for you, whether you want them to or not. It is the greatest changes that receive the biggest backlash.
