Feminism is one of the most controversial and misunderstood concepts in our society today.

Before confusing those who don’t know what feminism is, here is the exact definition: 

Key word: Equality

I spent years scrunching my nose and rolling my eyes when I heard the word feminism. I would scoff and claim to be high above what seemed to be a silly notion to me. My lack of understanding and education caused me to see feminism as nothing more than women who believed they were better than men and didn’t want to wear shirts.

Going into my sophomore year of high school I read a poem online that changed the way I would see feminism forever.

“I AM A FEMINIST

           For every trans woman who’s been slaughtered solely for existing.

I AM A FEMINIST

           Because Malala Yousafzai took a bullet to the brain for wanting an education.

I AM A FEMINIST

           For every lesbian, bisexual and pansexual woman who’s been sexually objectified.

I AM A FEMINIST

           Because disabled men and women make 22 cents to the white man’s dollar.

I AM A FEMINIST

           For every little boy who’s had to repress his emotions because “boys don’t get to cry.”

I AM A FEMINIST

           For every man who’s been looked down upon by ignorant people for wanting to wear heels or color on his finger nails.

I AM A FEMINIST

           Because my eight year old 75 pound god-sister told me she thought she was fat and needed to go on a diet.

AND I AM A FEMINIST

           For everyone who’s ever felt worthless and torn apart by societies vicious expectations and centuries old mannerisms. People are not pictures and life can’t be photoshopped. It is time to fill in the blanks of our history books and remember the ground we are standing on and who’s backs had to break to build it.”

-unknown

At first, I felt confused. Man, was I wrong. I thought feminism was a movement to empower women and create a ledge to attack men. I didn’t realize it was a movement to empower everyone and embrace diversity through equality.

After, I felt anger. Why didn’t we educate everyone on the real definition of feminism? Why wasn’t everyone a feminist? How could I be so ignorant?

A boy I was seeing sophomore year introduced me to one of his best friends and they were talking about how liberal I was. We were walking in the street and his friend stopped walking mid-conversation and turned to me with a smug look on his face, “Wait… you’re not a feminist are you?”

I opened my mouth to say something but flashes of the misinterpretation of what the feminism movement was played through my head. I felt fear of being seen as a man-hating feminazi. Before I could think of a response, the boy I was seeing cut me off and said, “Oh god no, she would never.” The same anger over ignorance I felt initially replaced my doubt of speaking my mind.

“Do you believe all humans on this earth are equal?” I asked.

“Well yeah, obviously,” his friend retorted, like I was the idiot.

“Then you’re a feminist too.”

He rolled his eyes and gave me a generic ignorant response, telling me that believing all humans are equal and being a feminist are not the same thing.

In order to make change in this world, we have to stand up for what we believe in, even if our voices shake and our hands tremble. This is a subject I’ve avoided writing about for a while because I was fearful of what others would think of me. I didn’t want to be just another angry feminist ranting on her blog.

I believe everyone should be the change they wish to see in the world, but change isn’t possible if all we do is sit on our hands and look the other direction when injustice occurs. I am finally using my voice to support a movement towards equality and peace.

If you disagree or don’t understand still, I urge you to educate yourself or do more research on your own beliefs.

Speak up for what you believe in, even if your voice shakes.