What is feminism?

To me, feminism is the belief that gender equality should be present in all aspects of society, whether that is in the workplace, in education, in athletics, religion, or any other situation. Specifically, I see feminism as the advocation for women’s rights in particular, but I think there is a perception that the purpose behind feminism is to prove that women are superior to men, and I wholeheartedly disagree with that. I also believe there is often a negative connotation associated with feminism, as if all feminists are extremists in some way and the cause they support isn’t a serious one, which I think is quite misguided. Above all, feminism is a movement for equality, and I truly believe it is positive in all respects and in no way warrants the criticism it often receives. I would say I do identify as a feminist; gender inequality has always very much bothered me and I find it incredibly sad and hard to believe that even in 2017, there are still so many that readily make sexist comments and place women at an inferior level.

I found both of these readings very interesting, and they definitely made me think and allowed me to see feminism in ways I hadn’t thought of it before. I found the definition of feminism as a movement for “freedom of all women” rather than equality to men very real and interesting, and I would say I strongly agree with this. I think that the idea that feminism supports the liberation and life improvement of women of all types and in all situations, based not only on gender constraints but on those of race, class, sexual orientation, and others is very true, even though it is not what I would have initially thought of. The article on women in 1970 was also very powerful in showing just how important feminism is and how much progress women have made in the past ~50 years, and it definitely gave me a new appreciation for feminism in all its forms and throughout history.

-Lindsey