Feminist as a word in our society has a negative connotation – “feminazi ” can be used in normal conversation without confusion. Because of the actions of some slightly outrageous females, feminists have an overall bad reputation when, in truth, feminism is something with which most people would agree.
The core definition of feminism is quite simple: feminism is the belief that women should be equal to men in regards to social, political, and economic issues. That’s all it says in the dictionary, that’s the most basic meaning. What the word has become is completely the fault of our culture. Some nationally recognized organizations, such as the Girl Scouts of America, support the basic principles of feminism but are afraid to identify with it because of its negative connotation.
Feminism is based on the principle that all people are equal. This goes back to fundamental basic rights for everyone. There is no reason why men and women who work the same job should not receive the same compensation, no reason why women should not have political power in the same way that men have political power. Feminists do not believe that women should take over every major corporation in the world or occupy every seat in the senate, only that the best person should get the job regardless of their sex.
According to a poll of Americans in 2013, only 16% of men and 23% of women identified as a feminist, but 82% of the population believed in equality between men and women, the most fundamental principle of being a feminist. This is the same population that believes all feminists are male hating, pro-choice, and all liberal.
Comedian Aziz Ansari has incorporated feminism into his act. According to Ansari, his current girlfriend is “big into feminism.” On his most recent David Letterman appearance, he asked the audience to clap if they considered themselves a feminist. Most of the audience remained silent. He then went on to ask the audience to clap if they believed in equal rights. Most if not all of the audience clapped. He gave the audience a lesson about feminism when he said, “I feel like if you believe that men and women have equal rights and someone asks if you are a feminist, you have to say yes because that is how words work.”
Though it will take a lot of work to clear the image of a radical-feminist from people’s minds, it is possible and necessary. If we believe in equal rights for everyone regardless of sex, what else could we be but feminists?
