The F Word

I want to first talk about this word. The F word. Feminism. Overtime this word has gained a negative connotation due to the lack of understanding of its true meaning. With the extreme radical notions surrounding Feminism, it may as well be a cult that all rebellious women are a part of. We meet up every Wednesday, stand in a circle around a fire, and discuss ways to bring men down and take over the world. Sound about right? Anyone with a proper understanding of what feminism just cried while reading that. But enough complaining, let’s learn what feminism means.

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Choose the correct answer:

1. "Feminism is the radical notion that women are people" - Marie Shear

2. Feminists want to burn all men

3. Feminism is about putting men above women

4. Feminism does not address men's issues

If you chose 1 you're living in the wrong time period. If you chose 2 you were definitely traumatized by a high school English teacher. But most fall for 3 or 4. Good news is, the answer is none of them.

“A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men.” -Gloria Steinem

The idea that is essential to understanding feminism is that women are not above men, but equal to men. In fact a little known idea in feminism is that some men's issues should be addressed as well. So why Feminism? Why female empowerment? Because we're not ready for all of humanity yet. How can we not focus on the rights of women when girls are still taught to carry mace wherever they go? When the pay gap exists? When women are taught to be less provocative rather than society learning that women are not sexual objects? Sure, entire body health is important, but if my heart's not working I'm probably going to focus on that and help heal and fix. The world's heart isn't working. Women are discriminated and harassed at work. They have expectations and responsibilities ingrained into their brains since their youth of being a good mother, a good (obedient) wife, a symbol of beauty, perfection, oh and fertility of course. The goal of feminism is diminish this. For a woman to be able to achieve everything a man can. For a woman's fears to just be heights or spiders rather than being raped. For a woman's only responsibility to be to follow her dreams. For a woman's dream to not be basic rights, but much much more. Only then are all our pieces working together.