Unfortunately, there's a lot of unnecessary stigma and unwarranted shame associated with identifying as a feminist. You probably don't need me to tell you what the stereotypes are: That we're man-haters, that we're angry... you've heard them all before. But as these quotes that will make you proud to be a feminist show, there's nothing shameful about being a feminist; indeed, just the opposite. Feminism — particular the intersectional variety (because, as Flavia Dzodan now famously wrote, "My feminism will be intersectional or it will be b*llsh*t") — is a positive movement that has accomplished a lot of great things, and it still has plenty more it's still working to accomplish today.
Feminism is defined as "the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men." Over the years, many have expanded upon this definition to include groups other than women as well. So, broadly, feminism is the movement to ensure all people are treated equitably, and being part of this movement is definitely something to be proud of.
If you ever forget that, here are some quotes that will remind you.
1. "I think it is right I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decisions that will affect my life. I think it is right that socially, I am afforded the same respect as men."
— Emma Watson, actress, UN ambassador
2. “I looked the word up in the dictionary, it said: Feminist: a person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes."
— Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, author
3. "If you're a strong woman who wants to succeed, you have to be a feminist."
4. "If we are going to truly change our policies and our politics, then we’re also going to have to change something else. We’re going to have to change the way we see ourselves and this is happening already, but I want us to be more intentional about it. ... The emotional, sexual, and psychological stereotyping of females begin when the doctor says it’s a girl… and that has consequences for all of us — whether we’re men or women, black, white, straight gay, transgender or otherwise."
— Barack Obama, President of the United States
5. "You're feminist if you go to a Jay Z and Beyoncé concert and you're not, hmm, I feel like Beyoncé should get 23 percent less than Jay Z. Also, I don't think Beyoncé should have the right to vote, and why is Beyoncé singing and dancing? Shouldn't she make Jay a steak?"
6. “I believe feminism is grounded in supporting the choices of women even if we wouldn’t make certain choices for ourselves.”
7. "I don't know why people are so reluctant to say they're feminists. Maybe some women just don't care. But how could it be any more obvious that we still live in a patriarchal world when feminism is a bad word?"
8. "I'm embarrassed to admit that I only recently discovered the ACTUAL definition of 'feminism.' The fact that the term is sometimes clouded with anything other than pure support and positivity in our society is very tragic. I believe in gender equality. Being a feminist is for both women AND men."
9. "To me, it just means that your gender doesn't have to define who you are, that you can be whatever you want to be, whoever you want to be, regardless of your gender."
10. "We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back."
Images: Giphy (8)
