One of the main ideas that kept sticking with me throughout this past semester, is that no one should be ashamed or scared of identifying as someone who actively fights for equality. In my Women's Studies course, there were women who stuck up their nose at the idea of feminism at the beginning of the course, and identified as feminists at the end. That was inspiring to see, especially because I think it often takes a great deal of courage for young women to "come out" as feminists. Feminism has, since it's conception as an identity, suffered from negative stereotypes, and many people equate feminists with uptight, man-hating bitches. I don't need to go over why that's not the case because 1)I've posted about that before, and 2)I'm sure my readers already know that. But the overwhelming idea to people who either don't know any better or who are sexist is that feminists are bad and unnecessary.
Since August, I've learned about women who have given their whole lives to women's rights. Women who were repeatedly arrested and mistreated because they thought women should be able to vote, have access to birth control, and be equal, in general, with men. So many women sacrificed so much, for so many modern women and men to turn around and say: "Feminism is dead." It isn't, and we must continue what our foremothers have started. We can't stop until women have obtained full legal, social, and ideological equality with men. To stop, or even to be too quiet about our beliefs would mean to throw these women's sacrifices right back in their faces.
The fact is, while the modern person does not face near as much persecution (or prosecution) for declaring themselves a feminist, there is some social difficulties to it. Sometimes, relatives look down on you for it. Sometimes, people say things just to piss off "the feminist(s)." Sometimes, people who were laughing a second ago quiet down when a known feminist walks into a room, and that feminist knows they were probably laughing at something sexist. Feminists are often faced with the the task of calling out a person's sexism and making some people uncomfortable. But this past semester has only reinforced by belief that it's worth it. I'm not being overly sensitive, I'm not being uptight and humorless. Maybe, sometimes, I have to be a bitch, but I'm doing it because I believe in equality. I'm being a bitch for a good cause. And no one can ever convince me that that's an ignoble cause. Thousands of women have worked tirelessly in pursuit of equality, and they faced much worse consequences than being called a bitch, or being made fun of, or even being ostracized by some friends and family. If they can do it, so can I. And so can my sisters. So can everyone. Facing negative consequences has always been a part of fighting for something right, but the outcomes far outweigh any uncomfortable social circumstances you might face. So stand up, and don't let the fights of the past go to waste--be proud of your feminism.
