We’re continuing our From the Vault series with this article from our 49th issue, that was released back in 2017. It stands so true and so actual to this day and it’s a message that needs to be out there time and time again.
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Feminism is the declaration that women deserve the same rights as men.
Feminism is supporting all people. It’s women supporting all women. It’s women supporting all men. It’s men supporting all women. Simply put, it’s people supporting all people, and if any person tries to tell you differently, they’re wrong.
Feminism is about having the right to choose. It’s having the fundamental right to decide what happens to you or your body.
Feminism is against any form of shaming. It’s about having a lack of judgement for anyone simply being themselves. It’s about spreading love and not hatred.
Feminism is realizing that since the beginning of time women have been treated unfairly and differently than their men counterpart. It’s realizing that feminism isn’t a movement to strip men of their fundamental rights, but rather it’s a movement to allow women their fundamental rights.
Feminism is understanding simply because women desire the same rights as men doesn’t mean men will directly lose any of theirs.
Feminism is realizing the same thing that scares men about feminism is the very reason women are fighting for it. It’s knowing that the exact aspect men fear is happening to women at this very moment.
Feminism is simply equality, and it is equality for all.
And if your feminism does not include everyone, if it doesn’t include transgender, black, Asian, Hispanic, Muslim, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, women and men then it is not true feminism.
And that is why, I’m a feminist.
I’m a feminist because it is 2017, and when I talk about how unfair it is that a professional athlete gets to walk away from the accusation of raping a girl without a single ding to their career, I’m some sort of radical that needs to calm down. Because said athlete was never tried. The situation was never considered, but I’m being too dramatic. Because apparently, it’s not that big of a deal. I should just leave it alone. Because that poor girl’s life may never be the same, but said athlete’s career is perfectly intact.
I’m a feminist because Brock Turner was only sentenced for six months in a county jail for sexually assaulting a girl who wasn’t even conscious enough to know what was happening to her. According to Judge Persky, prison “would have a severe impact on him.” As if Turner’s assault didn’t have a “severe impact” on that girl. As if he hadn’t used her in a way that was totally and completely unjust. As if she wasn’t a person, but something designed to bring him pleasure. Then he only served half of that sentence before being released. Because apparently, that somehow compensates for the personal and emotional turmoil that girl will have to endure for the rest of her life. Because she woke up to paramedics informing her she’d been sexually assaulted, yet he gets to walk away with a simple sex offender stamped to his record. As though that will make up for the way that girl’s life will be forever changed.
I’m a feminist because people still think only women get raped or sexually assaulted.
I’m a feminist because there are people out there that say things like, “Oh, those feminists, they just need to shave their armpits and get over it.” Because somehow the grooming of my body hair has everything to do with the rights I’m fighting for.
I’m a feminist because people still think you must have a vagina to be considered a woman. And those who don’t are somehow worth less, no matter who they are as a person.
I’m a feminist because I am 20 years old, and when I tell people I’m not sure I want to have kids, they look at me like I just defied all womankind. As if that’s the only thing I was destined to do simply because I’m a woman. As if we’re nothing but organisms meant to procreate whenever deemed fit.
I’m a feminist because when young girls go on birth control or seek out Plan B, they’re sluts and whores. But when young boys buy condoms, people say, “well, boys will be boys,” and “at least they’re being safe.”
I’m a feminist because “boys will be boys” is still a saying.
I’m a feminist because people seem to think everything I do must be for a man. If I shave my legs, I’m doing it for a man. If I put on a little lipstick, I must be trying to impress someone. There’s no other option.
I’m a feminist because when mothers choose to work rather than stay at home with their children, they aren’t doing enough.
I’m a feminist because people think being a stay-at-home mom is somehow less empowering. As if they’re any less of a feminist because they choose to be home with their children.
I’m a feminist because when fathers choose to stay at home with their children rather than work, they somehow aren’t as manly.
I’m a feminist because parents still won’t let their sons play with Barbie’s.
I’m a feminist because young boys are taught that crying is bad. Showing emotion is bad, better to bottle it up and never feel. If you cry, you’re a girl, and no one wants to be a girl.
I’m a feminist because when I hear people talk about the Women’s March that happened in January, they say things like, “What’s protesting going to change?” and “They’re honestly just wasting their time. Nobody’s going to listen to them.” Never mind that the country we are living in found its freedom through protesting—No Taxation Without Representation. But I suppose that’s okay. It was men protesting then.
I’m a feminist because I was sitting next to an older woman when she stumbled upon picture of a man marching with women, she snorted and said, “What’s he doing there? Doesn’t he have something better to do?” Her son was sitting right next to her the entire time.
I’m a feminist because I’m white, and it still baffles me that people think all women are treated the same. That white feminism is the same as black feminism or trans feminism. That women who aren’t white or cisgender are treated the same as those who are. They’re not, and we need to fight for and alongside them as well.
I’m a feminist because women that were marching in January still refuse to see transgender women as true women. As if trans women aren’t fighting for the same thing they were. As if they don’t have to fight for more.
I’m a feminist because a highly-qualified politician lost the presidential election to a less than mediocre businessman who based his campaign on misogyny, racism, bigotry, and slander. Because this country would rather see an over-privileged, racist, homophobic, white man, whose years of experience sums up to zero, in office rather than a woman whose qualifications are more than his will ever be. Because I somehow must have years of experience before I can even get my first job, but Donald Trump can get sworn into office without a single day of political experience.
I’m a feminist because the President of the United States speaks vilely of women and all types of minorities, and I’m the disrespectful one for disliking him. Because he said the words, “grab them by the pussy,” regarding his advancement towards women, and I somehow shouldn’t be offended by that.
I’m a feminist because a government with majority men think it is okay to make laws regarding my body. Because they claim to be pro-life, but the children who are being denied protection in their own school bathrooms would beg to disagree.
I’m a feminist because I watched a video of a man who was surrounded by all men sign an executive order that blocked federal funding to organizations that provide abortion services. Because they seem to think it’s okay to decide what happens to a woman’s body, though they’ll never know what it’s like to have a woman’s body.
I’m a feminist because we’re beginning to repeat history in the worst way possible, and some people don’t see the harm in that.
I’m a feminist because I get made fun of for being a feminist.
I’m a feminist because people still question the legitimacy of feminism.
I’m a feminist because I want the next generation of every girl to live in a better world than mine.
I’m a feminist for these reasons and so many others.
I’m a feminist because everyone should be.
Gabrielle Joy