Feminism Means So Much More

The Fight For Equality Isn't Over

"And just because there aren't all these laws against us - your husband can't [legally] beat you - it doesn't mean that sexism has gone away."

I read an article from Newsweek titled "Why Young Women Need Feminism," and the quote above is what really stuck out to me. The whole article made really excellent points and really told it like it is, no BS. But this quote...it perfectly captures the modern view of feminism: well, women can vote and choose who they want to marry, so why are you a feminist? Too many people think this way, and I think this article explains feminism in a way that is non-problematic and would offer those against it a broader and objective view of the movement.

When I think of feminism, I think of the radical notion that women have the right to walk down the street and not get cat-called. I've been cat-called, it's not flattering. I felt objectified and like I needed to cover myself up. But had I said "please don't do that" I'd have been called an uppity bitch told to accept the compliment. Growing up, I'd never been exposed to the sexism-saturated world we live in, and so I never really knew why people complained. But as I got older, I would see online that the world's highest paid woman was still paid less than the fifth highest paid man, and that infuriated me. I saw jokes about women making sandwiches for men, and I laughed along at first, but then it turned sour and malicious. I was no longer laughing, but going to my school's dean because a girl was wearing a shirt that said "Cool story babe, now make me a sandwich." But nothing was done about that shirt because sexism isn't as important to a school as writing on the bathroom stall. I still see that shirt around school. Nothing will ever be done, because if I bring it up again, I'm an uppity bitch. According to anti-feminists, anyway.

Some say the problem with feminism is that it doesn't promote equality, but rather the unfair treatment of men. The article above says that this has something to do with the name itself: feminism is inherently feminine, and therefore puts into the minds of the ignorant that feminism doesn't encompass everyone. However, I don't believe we need to change the name to please yet another whim of society, but rather those against it need to change their way of thinking. An open mind and an open heart means less conflict and a happier life.