Pride & other less important reasons I have the privilege of calling myself a feminist.

Feminism does not resonate with me the same way it does with one of my colored fellow feminist sisters living on government assistance or a single mother of four, nor does feminism affect my daily life the same way it affects a homosexual feminist man’s daily life. My ancestors, the feminists of the second wave, cannot define my feminism for they do not fully comprehend the demands of my time. The definition of what it means to be a feminist varies by social-economic class, race, sexual orientation, and generation, however we, as feminists, are bond together by a common goal to end exploitation, prejudice, and oppression that occurs as a result of one’s sexual and/or gender identity and/or orientation; my desire to redefine the word “feminist” itself, my belief of gender as an essential aspect of one’s human identity, and the extent to which feminism plays a role in my daily life allow me to rightfully credit myself as a feminist.

Ani DiFranco once said, “You are either a feminist or a sexist/misogynist. There is no box marked ‘other.’” It is both ignorant and misogynistic to not identify as a feminist.  We must not allow bigots, like Rush Limbaugh, with their sexist definitions of feminism as a movement “established to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream” or the poisoned and “patriarchal mass media” the privilege of influencing what modern society considers feminism to stand for and consist of (hooks 1).

By declaring oneself a feminist, and then leading a positive, successful, and progressive life, one accomplishes two things. First, identification as a feminist implies that feminism is something one should desire to belong to and be proud to declare, instead of something to be ashamed of or something to be avoided. Secondly, by leading a positive, successful, and progressive life, one continues to dismantle the stereotype that feminists are somehow nothing more than hostile combat-boot-wearing misandrists, but instead highlight the reality that feminists are people of all religious beliefs, racial backgrounds, sexual identities, and genders, linked together by their goal to “end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression” (hooks 1). It is we real self-proclaimed feminists who get to decide what feminism means to us and the societies in which we live, we, who share the responsibility of taking back the word and educating the public about how feminists think and live.

Furthermore, when we identify with a particular political party or as partaking in a particular dietary lifestyle, we make a conscious decision that this is part of who we are as people. Just as political parties and dietary lifestyles are conscious choices we make, so too is identifying with or without a particular gender. Thus, as gender is a choice, it should exist as a conscious and empowering aspect of our identity. This focus on the importance of gender and how humanity uses it both to understand themselves and as a means of socialization is common debate within the feminist movement.

            Lastly, my LGBTQ+ and end rape culture activism, together with my devotion to writing a blog focusing on feminist news and women’s rights issues, further emphasize my identity as a feminist. As a senior in high school, I founded my high school’s first Gay Straight Alliance, and spent much time focused on LGBTQ+ activism.  Additionally, I have participated in Cleveland’s annual SlutWalk protests, a demonstration with the goal of ending rape culture.  That is not to say that showing up to a weekly club meeting, or simply walking in a march makes one a feminist. Neither does staying current with global news and popular culture and writing opinion pieces in response. I only use these examples to show how feminism exists in my daily life and how feminism significantly affects how I chose to spend my time. These three examples highlight how feminist objectives are a profound passion of mine, as essential as water to my very functioning and well-being.

Overall, my belief for the advancement of women, men, transgenders, intersexuals, and all those who do not identify, to no longer be oppressed and restricted due to what lies between their legs, or more simply put, their sex, allows me to label myself a feminist. The contents of the essays I chose to read, and the blog posts I write, along with my LGBTQ+ and end rape culture activism, constitute my feminism, but must importantly, my pride in my identity, as a Caucasian, middle class, bisexual woman, make me a proud feminist.

Works Cited

Cochrane, Kira. "'I'm considering a Revolution'" The Guardian. The Guardian, 9 Oct.

2007. Web. 02 Sept. 2013.

Hooks, Bell. "Feminist Politics: Where We Stand." Feminism Is for Everybody:

Passionate Politics. Cambridge: South End, 2000. 1-6. Print.

Limbaugh, Rush. "Study Confirms Undeniable Truth of Life #24." Rush Limbaugh.

Premiere Radio Networks, 16 Apr. 2012. Web. 02 Sept. 2013.

Choice is the power of feminism.

“It’s so funny that Sarah is a feminist because she dresses like such a slut.”

What would be truly ironic is if, as a feminist, I allowed others to dictate what I chose to put on my body. Feminists, simply put, are people who believe in equality between people of all sexual identities. Thus, as people, feminists come in all the variations that people come in. We are the last people to be found guilty of slut shaming. What one wears or does not wear on his or her body is not a direct reflection on his or her sexual history, and secondly, one’s sexual history does not grant them slut status.

Not that I should feel any obligation or pressure to defend myself, but even from a conservative stand point, I do not dress provocatively. A typical Sarah outfit consists of some 1990's wannabe maxiskirt / lil' frock, opaque black tights, vegan leather or denim jacket, and Creepers.

Oftentimes, men thrust the term “slut” upon women who emit some sort of sexual prowess or cause them to feel some sort of sexual desire. I can’t control what your mind turns to when you look at me, nor would I let that have any influence over how I dress. I can however exert my freedom and wear whatever I want.

As I became enlightened about the above comment I was instantly reminded of the second wave's sensible show debate. Uhh, hello? It's 2012. Are people still so ignorant that they think feminists do not wear make-up and high heels? Have we, as a society, still not moved passed the stereotype that all feminists are fugly butches forced into a life of angsty misery because no guys want to be with them? 

"Feminism is not a dirty word. It does not mean you hate men, it does not mean you hate girls that have nice legs and a tan, and it does not mean you are a 'bitch' or 'dyke' ; it means you believe in equality." - Kate Nash

The recipe for equality calls for boys to embrace what was once exclusively "girl stuff."

Until boyfriends stop squirming when their girlfriends ask them to hold their purse, fathers stop freaking when their daughters mention their menstruation cycles, and sons stop rolling their eyes when their mothers stop in the make-up aisle, true equality will not exist. This is why males buy their significant others roses and get down on one knee with diamond rings. These images are not romantic; they’re predictable impersonal clichés. Roses and diamonds have somehow become the only jewels and flowers that men can comfortably admit the names to. Females have been exploring what was once exclusively male for decades (everything from careers to clothing options). So males, what is the hold up? If I, as a woman, can romp around in your dress shirt and join my high school’s football team (not to mention, being considered sexy or a boss for doing so) than why can’t you borrow my glittery socks and take dance classes? When we define ourselves with a political party, lifestyle, religion it is a conscious choice. I ask you to acknowledge that gender is no different.

“Male pride is not really about pride, it’s about fear of being viewed as feminine.” –Julia Serano