Last week, when I was telling everyone that I was very upset that Derek was not continuing on the show (sorry, spoiler), someone looked me dead in the face and said “Jenna, I’m really surprised that you watch that show, you know like, as a feminist.” Here is my response to them. This list can pretty much be applied to anything that you like to do that people condemn due to feminism.

1. Because not all feminists are the same.

Feminists should not be categorized into one group. There are many different types of feminists. We are all different and do different things.

2. Because not all feminists fit into the “stereotypical man-hating, non-shaving” group. But if you do, that’s totally cool.

Just because I am a feminist, does not automatically mean that I hate all things that are stereotypically female and that I hate men. However, how people choose to define their feminism is up to them.

3. Because the show has a “Bachelor” form and a “Bachelorette” form.

Although this show excludes many groups (i.e. Non-straight people, people who don’t define themselves within the binary), which is problematic, the argument that it is only negative toward women is untrue. In the "Bachelor," the man dates many women and in the "Bachelorette," the woman dates many men. Although I have to say, it is unfair that the woman cannot propose to the man, but the man can propose to the woman.

4. Because feminism should not be used as a tool to make me feel guilty.

As a feminist, I have been fighting to make everyone equal. This, again, does not mean I have to give up things like "Bachelorette" if I enjoy them. In a patriarchal culture, it is hard to avoid everything that objectifies women. This show provides an escape from reality.

5. Because it causes people to talk about feminism and the problems with the show.

Many times, problematic things are used as jumping off points to have conversations about feminism. I’ll be the first to admit that the show has problems in terms of objectifying people, but it provides a platform for people to discuss them. (i.e. How the girls are competing over a man.)

6. Because literally what is Chris Harrison?

No explanation needed. He kind of looks like my dad, though…

7. Because as a feminist, I can do whatever the heck I want.

Just because I’m a feminist, doesn’t mean I don’t owe an explanation to anyone. I can do what I want.