I recently came across a BuzzFeed quiz called “Are You A Bad Feminist?” At first, I was very put off by it. Scrolling through the checklist of things that supposedly make someone a “bad feminist,” I became more and more irritated. Liking Kate Middleton, enjoying makeup, shaving, or owning Spanx does not a bad feminist make. Feminism has everything to do with working towards equal rights between men and women and nothing to do with what kind of music you listen to. So naturally, I quite disliked this quiz. (It was later pointed out to me that this quiz is, without a doubt, meant to be satirical. Oops. Do your research, kids.)
Despite the fact that I was wrong about the intention of the quiz, there is a grain of truth behind the sentiments expressed in it. How pink nail polish impedes your ability to smash the patriarchy, I’m not exactly sure. For some reason, however, there are people who think that you can’t be a feminist if you are feminine. I’d like to think that this is a fairly outdated notion, but lately I’ve seen some people around the Internet who subscribe to this notion.
Then, I wondered if it is possible to be a bad feminist, and this is what I came up with. If I were to rewrite this quiz without a sarcastic tone, it would have three items.
Check all the boxes that apply:
- I do not believe in equality between genders.
- I believe women should take control of society and rule over men as (possibly benevolent) leaders.
- I believe some women who claim to be feminist aren’t actually feminists simply because they take part in traditionally feminine activities.
If you check the first box, then you’re not actually a feminist. Sorry.
If you check the second box, then you’re sort of missing the point of feminism. While establishing a matriarchal society would certainly fix the issue of inequality amongst genders that we face today, it’s not the proper solution. The goal of feminism is to raise women up, not to put men down.
If you check the third box, then this is where issues arise. If a woman wants to wear false eyelashes, be a stay-at-home mom, and idolize Taylor Swift, she’s allowed to do so and be considered feminist too.
Side Note: One feminist shaming another feminist for being feminine is in no way constructive. Instead of spending time making other women feel bad about their choices, channel that energy towards fighting for equality!
All things considered, I guess my answer is: Yes, it’s possible to be a “bad feminist,” but it only has to do with whether or not you uphold the ideology of feminism itself, and shouldn’t be based on superficial preferences.