I am a feminist, and I am a woman. I believe in feminism and equality for all people, in every way. Gender, sexuality, race, socioeconomic status, or any other factor, should not determine the rights and level of respect anyone receives. I believe in the empowerment and lifting up others, women especially. I need feminism, and I firmly believe that it should be a necessity in every person’s life too. I am a feminist. Here’s why.
I am a feminist because I believe that I am just as good as a boy or man. It is mind-blowing to me, that based on anatomical parts, men have the upper-hand.
I am a feminist because I believe I deserve the same pay for doing the same work as my male counterpart. And that in a position of power, I should not be labeled as “bossy” instead of “assertive.” If someday I put my career first, instead of having a family, I will be called “selfish,” whereas a man would be considered “dedicated.”
I am a feminist because I fear for myself, other females, and our safety. Women are taught to dress modestly, as to not tempt a boy to have a “reason” to assault us; to have a buddy system wherever we go; to always be aware of our surroundings; to never go for a run after sundown or run with earbuds in when we are alone; to never put down our drink at any party. I am a feminist because I was eleven years old the first time my parents sat me down and warned me about the dangers of being a girl and woman, and it has been a reoccurring dialogue within our household since.
I am a feminist because my body is exactly that. MY body. It is not the government’s, nor any man’s. I deserve to be in control of it, including my fertility and what I choose to do with the sacred temple I have been gifted with.
I am a feminist because my male friends choose not to refer to themselves as feminists, even though they believe in equality and everything feminism encompasses. The stigma surrounding the word, the pressures of their intensely masculine environment, and the negative connotation of the word “feminist” deter many of them.
I am a feminist because people still ask what the victim was wearing. Society teaches women to “not get raped” instead of teaching boys and men to “not rape.”
I am a feminist because 96% of sexual attacks that happen to men go unreported, due to the stigma surrounding the shame of rape, especially with the masculinity men are expected to uphold.
I am a feminist because “locker room talk” and rape jokes are not okay.
I am a feminist because men still think it’s okay to catcall. At ten years old, I was catcalled for the first time, wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt. And, it has happened a sickening amount since then.
I am a feminist because period products are still labeled as “luxury items” with a luxury tax because apparently menstruating is a deluxe experience. Razors have the same luxury tax, even though they are the same product as men’s razors. The only difference is in the color.
I am a feminist because if I am at all emotional, it “must be my time of the month.”
I am a feminist because I vividly remember, at age seven, being unhappy with my body. Seven years old. Media and the “ideal girl/woman” and boys and their comments influenced my confidence in my body, even at that young age. Because of the unrealistic, unattainable expectation of how a woman should look, I have struggled immensely with body image issues, and they have been a tremendous challenge and predominant issue in my life since the second grade.
I am a feminist because society considers how I look to be more important than my abilities and how intelligent I am.
I am a feminist because my opinions and thoughts and beliefs should be heard and held to the same standard as a man’s. I should not have to prove over and over again why these things are valid or correct or worth taking seriously. And, mansplaining, is so condescending and irritating.
I am a feminist because children need their fathers just as much as they need their mothers.
I am a feminist because most men’s’ restrooms do not have baby-changing stations, excluding single dads, gay couples, or any father who shares the responsibility of taking care of his child.
I am a feminist because boys should be allowed to feel comfortable to express emotions, cry, and be vulnerable. Boys and men, from a young age, are told to “be a man” and to “not cry” and to “not be such a pussy.” Society most easily accepts a man who is the epitome of masculinity, so many men strive to be that to more easily fit in.
I am a feminist because the first time my guy friends felt okay to show emotions was in their senior year of high school, at a four day retreat that whittled down their fragile masculinity finally allowing them to open up and to feel and express real emotions.
I am a feminist because it is three times more likely for a man to commit suicide than it is for a woman.
I am a feminist because as a volunteer at my parish, I was told I could not help carry the boxes inside. Instead, I was told to “hold the door and look pretty.” Because, apparently, I am too fragile. Even so, I knew that I was stronger than most of the boys helping.
I am a feminist because using the word “pussy” to describe one of the most sacred things in the world, disgusts me.
I am a feminist because boys need to learn and understand respect from a young age. They must be taught consent and respect.
I am a feminist because it should not be considered heroic or special or rare for men to be feminists. It should be as expected and as common as breathing.
I am a feminist because if need be, women should be drafted to help in war efforts. If true equality is ultimately reached between women and men, it will mean that women will be apart of many positive, but also negative consequences.
I am a feminist because if a woman has casual sex, she is labeled as a “slut” or “whore.” In contrast, men are praised for “scoring her” or “getting some.” The double standard women are held to versus men, is staggering.
I am a feminist because doing things “like a girl” is not a celebrated term; instead, it is one that is most commonly used as an insult, as if “like a girl” are three words that automatically make something lesser than.
I am a feminist because women, including myself, need to learn and practice how to say statements such as: No. You interrupted me, I’m not finished talking. That isn’t funny. Leave me alone. That isn’t appropriate. Stop ignoring what I’m saying. I already know that. You’re making me uncomfortable. That won’t be necessary.
I am a feminist because men need to learn and practice how to say statements such as: That was actually her idea. She wasn’t finished, you interrupted her, stop being rude. That isn’t appropriate. Stop ignoring what she’s saying. Leave her alone. Please continue. Dude, don’t say that shit. No problem, goodnight. That isn’t funny. That won’t be necessary. How can I help? You’re making her uncomfortable.
I am a feminist because I believe the future is equitable.
I am a feminist. Period. I am a feminist because many people still believe they don’t need to be. When in reality, we all do. Men and women and everyone in between: equality is not only essential, but it is also beneficial to every single person. We have to work together, lift one another up, love one another. Because after all, empowered women, empower women. And people hold more positive power than we exercise. I am just one of these many, many individuals, but hopefully, I can do my part to better the world, at least my piece of it.
I am a feminist, and I am a woman. And, wouldn’t it be ludacris to be on a team other than my own?