Are you scared to call yourself a feminist?

What does it mean to be a feminist? What ideology is necessary to uphold the viewpoint of a feminist? The answer to those questions sparks considerable conversation, for there isn’t a definite answer. Feminism has been twisted and evolved over the last decade, convoluting the term's meaning. More women are hesitant to call themselves feminists in today's society for several reasons, and I choose to ask, why? 

In the media, the angry feminist trope has taken over our society's perception of feminists. Feminism has been equated to a group of misandrist radicals who start arguments and don’t listen to opposing views. We’ve seen celebrities reject the label of feminist for these various reasons; Bustle released an article (2015) naming said celebrities.

Joni Mitchell said, “I'm not a feminist… I don’t want to get a posse against men.”

Kelly Clarkson said, “No, I wouldn’t say feminist—that's too strong… I feel people have associated the word ‘feminist’ with ‘bitch’ and ‘man-hater’ and all these things.” 

In sum, the issue is the definition of feminism, the intense connotations that have latched onto that word, and that is what is feared. It is not necessarily the celebrities who are at fault, but succumbing to the current stereotypes surrounding feminists harms young people, figuring out where they lie in politics—harming them with false definitions and accusations of the politics encircling the term. 

If I asked someone what feminism means, nine times out of ten, the response would be equality for men and women – equality being the keyword. However, equality may, in fact, be the most damaging word to the definition; let me explain. If we all focused our energy on equality, I would ask the question, “Equal to who?” If the goal is to place men equal to women, what kind of men and women? Too many discrepancies: race, class, gender, ability, and countless intersectionalities affect an individual's societal experience. A white woman has more opportunities to equate herself to a white man than a black woman will ever have. So rather than focusing on equality, shift your perspective to difference. The emphasis on differences in others’ experiences creates a strong foundation of respect and acknowledgment. As a white feminist woman, by allowing differences to shape my thought and understanding of my privilege and the struggles of others, I can accurately see the need for different types of feminism. 

The angry feminist trope has circulated the media and our headspace, resulting in little room for its problematic discourse. The antagonization of men is not what feminism stands for, at least in my understanding. The problematic trope places all feminists in one category, angry or bitchy, marginalizing a group of people by branding them with an inaccurate meaning of feminism. 

Relating to the angry feminist trope, many assume you can’t simultaneously look hetero-typical and be a feminist. Being a “bad feminist” should never relate to the appearance of someone or how someone chooses to present themself. In an article for the Washington Post, Andi Zeisler says, “What the bad-feminist genre reveals is that the personal, the individual and the appearance-centric are the most likely both to be elevated as sites for empowerment and criticized as things that betray a monolithic idea of feminism.” In today's society, we capitalize on bodies, clothing, hair, personalities, etc. We have been trained to judge a book by its cover, for we have always been on the receiving end. Wearing what society has deemed “girly” will not betray the effects or ideologies tied to feminism but instead continue to perpetuate the gender binary that is being deconstructed. Continuing the binary of thought that women should be equal to men is exclusive, inaccurate, and no longer assisting growth. 

The first step seems to be educating and embracing the new and evolved meaning of feminism. There are no limitations to who can consider themselves a feminist who prioritizes acknowledgment of difference and intersectionality. I wear heels and pink dresses, watch reality TV, and shave my legs; all of those things make me myself and do not dictate my political position. It is okay to be angry and a feminist, but that doesn't mean you’re always a raging misandrist. Feminism is for everyone and anyone and should not be a reflection of physical appearance or problematic stereotypes. 

Sources: 
Cover image courtesy of Pinterest
https://www.bustle.com/articles/117519-9-female-celebrities-whove-bad-mouthed-feminism
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/you-can-wear-high-heels-and-be-a-feminist-but-please-dont-write-an-essay-about-it/2016/06/03/267af380-281c-11e6-b989-4e5479715b54_story.html

@mayseerussell