Feminism has become a term that was been twisted and misconstrued in so many different ways. Many people don't like when an argument is different from their point of view. For example, when the Black Lives Matter group was formed and a week later came the All Lives Matter group; people don't understand that we're not undermining others, we are addressing a problem.
Feminism does not mean we hate men.
Feminism means that I want to be treated equal to a man. I don't want to live my days knowing that I'm being degraded because I'm a woman.
Being a woman does not mean I'm weak.
Why is it that the worst things a woman can be called are "slut", "whore", "bitch", or "skank" while the worst thing a guy can be called is a "pussy" or even a "mangina"? Why is it that being a woman is the worst insult that there is?
You can't be annoyed at feminism being called feminism when the entire history of the human race is called mankind.
While equal treatment is the root of feminism, rape culture is the biggest concern.
Every one out of six women will experience some type of sexual assault in their life time, 28% of them before the age of 15.
We have been taught that we can't wear provocative clothing because that will attract the wrong type of people. That we have to be careful and go out in pairs on a night out so as not to get attacked. That if anything happens, it's our fault.
And the world wonders why rape victims don't come forward.
When you hear a story of a woman being raped, the most common question is "what was she wearing" or "was she intoxicated"? Followed up by statements of "she was asking for it" or "she didn't say no".
If the word yes does not escape my lips, I am not consenting.
Why is it that in today's world, unless we say no that we were the ones who did something wrong? Why is it that men get the free pass?
The men get praised or sympathized with for their amazing academics or skilled athletic performance as if being talented is a free pass for rape.
Nobody ever asks what a woman's rapist was wearing.
I don't want a rap whistle, I want change.
Rape culture and patriarchal values are killing girls while feminism is upsetting white boys on the internet.
If she's too young for her to be wearing "shorts that short", she's also too young for you to be sexualizing her body for wearing them.
I hate when people say "you're a girl, so act like one" as if my vagina came with a terms and conditions manual.
In the words of G.D Anderson, "Feminism isn't about making women stronger. Women are already strong. It's about changing the way the world perceives that strength."
I am proud to be labeled a "nasty woman" because I believe in love, acceptance, equality, kindness, respect and the power of my voice.
I'm proud to be a nasty woman because my body is not someone else's business.
Because I believe that women shouldn't be punished for the actions of someone else.
Because being a female should not mean having to avoid eye contact with men to not draw attention to themselves as a potential target.
Because one day I want my daughter to not have to fear walking the streets or to be afraid of being herself for the fear of others actions. We need to be the generation of women who will teach their sons to act respectfully instead of teaching our daughters to beware.
Because if men and women should be held to the same standards and women can't say something that may hurt a mans feelings, neither should they.
Because we should be equal no matter the circumstances.
Woman need to scream about the importance of feminism to the world until our voices become so hoarse that it's mistaken for a mans and people actually start to listen to us.
The fact that woman need to justify feminism by explaining how it benefits men is the perfect example of why we need feminism.
I believe that the election of Donald Trump has brought forth the fiercest, smartest, toughest generation of ass-kicking women this country could ever imagine.
I'm a feminist, a nasty woman. I've been a female for a long time now. It'd be stupid not to be on my own side.
Our rights aren't up for grabs. Neither are we.
So don't be ashamed or allow people to shame you for being a feminist. It just means you're ready for a world where you matter just as much as a man.