Sometimes, mid-conversation, I’ll think to myself, “Wait, this person is still arguing against feminism?” For whatever reason, some people still cling to their false perceptions about what it means to be a feminist—and not in the multiple theories way, but in the stereotyped, sweeping generalizations way. Working from an incorrect understanding of the movement, these people hatefully argue against something that is not even being advocated in the first place.
Feminism refers to a broad varieties of theories that analyze women’s oppression and to the global women’s rights movement. It is the idea that a person’s gender should be no cause for any special or discriminatory treatment.
It has been two months since Emma Watson gave her speech at the U.N., eloquently explaining what modern day — or Third Wave — feminism is all about. Since then, there has been a lot of attention given to the “He For She” campaign, as well as many male public figures showing their support. There is definite progress being made in educating people on what it truly means to be a feminist and changing the connotation most have in their minds. But, sometimes it can still be discouraging.
It is not at all uncommon to hear an ignorant, disrespectful statement about feminism or feminists. Maybe this has something to do with being in the South. Maybe it has something to do with the difficulty in reshaping people’s opinions. But it’s mostly because people are alarmingly misinformed and cling to an inaccurate conception of “feminism.”
It is unfortunate that many people automatically tune out any conversation involving the f-word (well, this f-word). They seem like children running around covering their ears and screaming to stop anyone from attempting to elucidate them about what the word means. People love their opinions and do an incredible job convincing themselves they know it all.
For some reason, women seeking equality have been painted as psychotic monsters who refuse to let men hold the door open and are looking for any opportunity to cut off a man’s genitalia. I’m not sure how this perception has evolved, and perhaps there are a few women who are like this. But to classify all who claim the title of “feminist” as this type of person is similar to considering all Christians to be like the Westboro Baptist Church. The radicals in any situation are whom these titles are associated with. But it is a mistake worth recognizing and not repeating.
Sadly, many people have ignored the real implications of feminism for so long they fail to see the ways it wants to encourage men too. But, it should not have to serve the male interest for men to be interested in it. There are also many people who do not think it is an issue with enough importance or relevance to even be discussed. But the day-to-day conversations I encounter where women are nonchalantly put down and assumed to be less valuable than men shows me that feminism is still of great importance.
Quit assuming that feminists are crazy extremists who intend on spreading male-hatred. Feminists support men as well as women and desire the equality of both.
