Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche defines the term “feminist” as “a person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes”. In recent years, we have seen a revival of the feminist movement and perhaps one of the most important demonstrations of this movement thus far is happening as we speak. Around the world, people (note how I said people and not women because feminism is for ALL) are marching in the streets for not only women’s rights, but also the rights of people of color, the LGBTQ community, the right to education, and several other pressing issues. So far, it’s been amazing to see people (and not JUST women) come out in droves to stand up for what they believe is right but unfortunately there’s an underlying stigma surrounding the entire concept of feminism itself.
There’s a section of social media, Twitter, specifically, that assumes that feminism is a one-sided cause and everyone for this very cause is somehow an angry, disgruntled women who is upset that her father deserted her and just wants to burn her bra. And do you know who make up the majority of this section? OTHER. WOMEN. *gasps*. One of the biggest oppositions that women deal with on a daily basis is internalized misogyny.
In my personal experience, I have seen women shame other women in order to seem more desirable and appealing to the male population. Side note: Can any of you imagine being so miserable? Because I definitely can’t. If your brand of feminism doesn’t include ALL women, from the virgin to the hyper-sexually liberated, then it’s not feminism. I also see women who claim that they don’t need feminism because they don’t personally feel as if they are oppressed or discriminated against? If these women knew the first thing about feminism, they would know that feminism fights for the rights of EVERY woman to live the live they want. Feminism is for the stripper, the church girl, the straight girl, the bi-curious girl, the black girl, and the single mom. Whether your aspirations are to be a stay at home or to be the HBIC at a Fortune 500, the whole point of the movement is the right to choose. That’s literally all it is.
So to be a woman and say that you don’t need feminism is doing yourself a grave disservice and most women don’t even realize it. Being a woman and saying you don’t need feminism is just like saying a car doesn’t need gas to start.
Feminism is a movement that’s for everyone, so why is it still such a taboo subject and so demonized in today’s society? Women’s rights are human rights. What’s wrong with wanting your fellow humans to have the same rights as you? There’s a lot more layers to the idea than just free-ing the nipple and Taylor Swift’s squad goals. It’s a movement by the people, for the people and I really hope that people look up from their timelines and realize that.
