Why Feminism Isn’t a Dirty Word

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase ‘Feminism is sexist’ more times than you can count. Those words usually echo the room any time the topic of feminism is brought up, no matter where you are or who you’re with. You may have heard it so many times you’ve started to believe it yourself. Well, I’m here to tell you the truth:

Feminism ISN’T sexist.

Feminism ISN’T a dirty word.

Feminism IS equality.

It’s as simple as that. Feminism is the fight for equality between the sexes. It’s the fight against the oppressive patriarchy that supports misogyny and creates toxic masculinity. No-one is safe under patriarchal regimes.

It appears to me that many people are ashamed to call themselves a feminist (despite believing everything a feminist believes) and therefore calls themselves an ‘equalist’… Quite frankly, that’s like calling yourself a ‘non-meat eater’ instead of a ‘vegetarian’. It essentially means the same thing. All you are doing by shunning feminism is denying yourself the freedom to fully fight for what you believe in.

I’m proud to be a feminist. Despite the friends I’ve lost due to taking on this label, the arguments I’ve had with strangers, the amount of people that have blocked me/I’ve had to block.. I am SO proud to be a feminist.

It’s not about hating men; it’s about wanting the best for men as we do for women. It’s about showing men they’re allowed to show emotion just as much as women, and that it’s not weak to not be ‘tough’ all the time. It’s about showing little girls they can grow up to achieve any dream they set their mind to, whether that be a makeup artist or a builder. It’s about telling little boys they can wear that dress if they want to, and they can wear red lipstick to match.

It’s about ridding the oppressive nature of patriarchy, and freeing the person controlled by it.

Never be ashamed to say you’re a feminist. You’re fighting for both women and men to have equal rights, isn’t that something to be proud of? I, for sure, think it’s one of hell of a thing to be proud of. Yes, some people call themselves ‘feminists’ when they’re radical and actually dislike men, but doesn’t every social group have some radicals that go against the core belief of the cause? That doesn’t mean every member of the group is the same. If you don’t believe in true, pure equality, you don’t deserve to call yourself a feminist. That’s not real feminism, and it’s a huge reason feminism gets a bad name.

If we’re being honest, feminism is the reason women have the simplest of human rights. Feminism is the reason women can vote. Feminism is the reason women can have an education. Feminism is the reason women can choose to divorce. We’ve come a long way, but still have a long way to go.

Feminism is pure. Feminism is loving. Feminism is equal. I’m proud to call myself a feminist.

Lots of love, Soph. xx