   Feminism is defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes. Where culture is defined as the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group. The feminist movement was created to acquire and maintain the opportunities that are made available to men yet women have never experienced. The history of feminism dates back to equal voting rights and now feminism is a matter of not only gender equality but true intersectional equality of marginalized groups, like women of color and the LGBTQ community. Feminism has worked in a series of major waves over time. We are presently in the fourth wave of feminism, which have been structured by activism through the internet. What is beautiful about this fourth wave is that it aims to be completely intersectional unlike ever before. The inclusively of this wave focuses on being sex positive, body positive, and more centered on the sensitivity of women’s voices that have been silenced in past waves. (Bustle.com) Despite the cohesiveness of this wave, I have noticed a struggle in the cultural division of modern day feminists. The U.S is most commonly known for being a melting pot of diversity, meaning cultural values vary upon all spectrums. Although the general culture of the world puts men above women, different racial/ethnic groups combat their own equality issues within their individual cultures. This struggle is deeper than the general overarching definition of feminism because it is more specific than the general public can understand. This struggle has become more apparent to me upon further reflection of my home life. This reflection made me ponder on the idea of cultural values versus feminism and whether valuing certain aspects of my culture contradicts with me identifying as a feminist.
   Being that I am Latina (a woman of Latin American origin/descent) I am able to speak on my cultural values in depth. Latinx culture is centered around family. Our families in general focus on a hierarchy of age and sex. This hierarchy caters toward men and therefore the men of our families follow the idea of machismo (strong or aggressive masculine pride). (Dimensionsofculture.com) The men of our families are expected to naturally provide while women are expected to naturally nurture and handle the household. I was raised on these values meaning I was taught to cater toward the deserving men of my family. At a family dinner men are served first, if we are using paper plates or plastic utensils they are served with real ones. I was taught to hold down a household in ways my brother never was. Young women in my family were expected to know how to handle every aspect of the household while the young men of our family merely took out the garbage or handled the “heavy work”. While these values were instilled upon me I was also taught to be independent. As little girls we were prayed over, hoping a good man would enter our lives, but we were simultaneously told that we do not need a man; it was just the ideal standard to “complete” a family. Looking at my cultural values as an adult, I realized I was raised with both strong Latinx/Puerto Rican cultural values, but also strong Feminist values which made me feel like these values challenged each other in my life.
   Modern day feminism is all about equality and diversity. It is captured through protests, hashtags, articles, Youtube videos, supporting women owned businesses and more! Being a woman in the 21st century allows me the opportunity to challenge the misogynistic values of the world in unconventional ways. I consider myself an activist because I am always fighting for what is right in the eyes of my marginalized peers. I create discussions, educate others and work toward achieving better communities for us to live in. But, does this fight for equality necessarily need to happen in my household? Is it my job to fight and reconstruct cultural values? I honestly believe the solution to these moral dilemmas can be a simple overlapping of both values. I do not and will not ever hold myself to the hierarchy of Latino culture unless I see fit. For example, I do not need to serve any man in my family before I serve myself. I do it because I want to and because I feel like they are worthy of that respect. However, this belief system will never apply to every male in my life. Just as I was taught to respect both my culture and my womanhood, I can reinvent the values I was raised upon to raise my kids in a more equal setting that focuses on equal expectations for both genders. There should not be a divide between feminist and cultural values, but rather an overlap that feels justified to one’s moral compass.
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