The New Feminism Frontier
By: Emily Bush
When people hear the word “feminist” they automatically think of bra-burning, hairy-legged lesbians… oh, and they all hate men too, right? NO. I don’t know how long it will take for that to be washed from people’s memories and think of the modern day feminist.
These misconceptions have been carried over from the 1950s and beyond. It is time to break free from these stereotypes and notice that you might have a little feminist in you, too.
Most modern day feminists believe that the gender barriers are a social construct. It is fairly impossible to generalize women over centuries. Colonial women were much different than women today.
Modern day feminists are CEOs, mothers, and the person next to you at the deli counter. Being a feminist is no longer a disease – it is something to admire.
One of the first stereotypes is that feminists don’t have style (or good hygiene). Most women, whether a feminist or not, shave their legs and underarms and even put on makeup. Feminists wear dresses, too (shocking, right?).
Another misconception is that all feminists hate men. It’s not so much that they hate men, but that they support other women in their ideas and opinions. There is nothing wrong with wanting to help other women succeed. A feminist can disagree with a woman just as easily as she can disagree with a man.
While some feminists may be lesbians – the two do not have to go hand-in-hand. This idea is outdated.
Feminism has become a touchy subject in modern times. Some women don’t want to be called a feminist. Every time a woman takes charge – or decides to run for president – it does not mean she is necessarily a feminist. You have to look at her views and beliefs to understand if she is a feminist or not.
Some women get offended if a man holds a door for her or calls her “Miss.” I have to say that I’m not one of those girls – the common courtesies that women are given are nice and signal respect to me.
In the end. feminists are fighting for things that most people would fight for, too. They want young women around the world to have the chance to receive an education. They want women to have the chance at the same rights as men – at home and in the workforce.
The National Organization for Women wants women to empower themselves, love their bodies, and support politicians that vote for women’s rights.
The President of NOW, Terry O’Neill, is the most relevant example of a modern day feminist. She oversees the huge agenda before the organization, “advancing reproductive freedom, promoting diversity and ending racism, stopping violence against women, winning lesbian rights, ensuring economic justice, ending sex discrimination and achieving constitutional equality for women” (according to now.org). She is an attorney and was a law professor at Tulane and University of California at Davis and a proud mother.
See … you don’t have to give up your feminine side or stop shaving your legs to be a feminist.
Emily Bush is a student at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio studying History and Journalism. Emily wrote for Miami’s on-campus magazine called the Miami Quarterly. She has a passion for writing about things that she loves – Pittsburgh, food, and fun! She also loves sports and playing games. She was born and raised in Pittsburgh.