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Drop the Label Movement

What it Really Means to be a Feminist

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Madeline Frisk Student Contributor, Oregon State University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at OR State chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

There are many misconceptions out there about what it means to be a feminist. There are those that believe that being a feminist is limited only to females who hate men, burn their bras and don’t shave their legs. There are also those that think feminists are lesbians who dress manly, who hate marriage and tradition, and who will not allow a man to open a door or pay for their meal. The true definition of feminism, however, is “the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social and economic equality to men.” Feminism is all about equality and women’s rights. Feminism is not the same as misandry (the hatred of men), and there is not just one type of person that is a feminist.

Here are a few well-known celebrities, both males and females of different races and ethnicities, who also happen to be feminists:

1. Ellen Page

2. Amy Poehler

3. Joseph Gordon-Levitt

4. John Legend

5. Emma Watson

6. Miley Cyrus

7. Beyonce

8. Margaret Cho

If these powerful celebrities aren’t enough to convince you about the truth of feminism, then consider these other thoughts!

People become feminists because:

1. They want to fight for the equality of all races, sexualities, genders, cultures and whatever else may divide us.

2. They want to fight the body negativity and eating disorders surrounding women and men currently present in our culture because of the media, the fight for perfection, and the sense of control.

3. They believe in fighting for equal pay for women, reproductive rights, the right to not be discriminated against, and the right to not be sexually harassed in a workplace environment.

4. Men are encouraged not to cry while women are encouraged to be maternal. Gender roles are oppressive, and getting behind equality helps to break them down and allows people to consider other paths.

5. They hope that they can marry their same-sex partner someday.

6. They believe that men can be stay at home fathers and women can be CEOs just as the reverse can also be true. There are no “male” or “female” jobs; there are simply jobs that various individuals are willing to take on regardless of gender.

There are so many other reasons to be a feminist, but these are just a few you should consider. You may not even realize that you have feminist values, even if you are uncomfortable with the label. Comment below and let us know what feminism means to you!

 

 

 

 

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Madeline Frisk

OR State

Madeline is a Senior at Oregon State majoring in Merchandising Management and minoring in writing. She was the 2016-'17 president of Chi Theta Phi, a local design sorority on campus. If she's not in class, at a club meeting, chapter, or writing, she's probably spending time with her family, friends, walking her dogs, eating junk food, or watching too many crime, comedy, or fashion shows on Netflix. She likes cheese, dogs, creative projects, obnoxious animal prints, garage sales, farmer's markets, and generally just being silly.