Let’s Get One Thing Straight about Feminism in the 21st Century

Feminism…it may be that this word brings a bad taste to your mouth. Maybe it ignites rage deep within, or perhaps, a bit of pride swells in your chest at the mention of the word.

Over the years, the definition and goals of feminism have remained fairly consistent; however, the sentiments towards feminism have changed. Perhaps those sentiments have gotten in the way of us understanding just what feminism is.

You see, feminism to me…is crying with the college freshman, looking her in the face, and telling her that the rape will tear her in half, but it will not end her. Because college rape has become an epidemic in the United States, and that. is. not. okay.

It is creating the Instagram account that the fifteen year old girl from Niger stumbles upon late at night. The Instagram account that plants the idea in her mind that she is more than the man she marries. Because child brides make up 89% of marriages in Niger, and that. is. not. okay.

It is being the safe place for the sixteen year old girl who has been shamed by her family and religious leaders because she “lost her virginity” before she was married. Because the top two religions in the world uphold the socially constructed concept of virginity as being a bases of value for women, and that. is. not. okay.

It is inspiring women to pursue careers in fields that do not exploit them. Because the only industry where women make a significant amount of money more than men is the one that requires them to take their clothes off, and that. is. not. okay.

It is standing before a high school classroom and reminding them that girls are worth so much more than the clothes they wear. Because according to a survey of high school males 51% of them thought it was okay to “hold a female down and force her to have sex if…” she “turned them on sexually”, and. that. is. not. okay.

Feminism is not hating men, nor is it degrading their rights either. Feminism is not demanding special treatment. It is simply reaching out your hand, regardless of your own gender, to the women who have no other help. It is choosing to listen to the women who have no other platform, and it is speaking up for the women who have no other voice.