I am proud and happy to be able to tell you this. I am happy that I do not live in a time where I am completely ostracized for my beliefs on the status of women in our society. I am deeply sorry that some people do not see feminism for what it really is. Feminism is not about man hating, being a lesbian, shaving our heads, not shaving our legs, or any of those other crazy stereotype. Although I am sure there are feminists who may fit into some or all or those stereotypes rest assured it is not some weird requirement to enter the ranks of feminism. In fact, there are no ranks at all. Feminism is, put simply, the belief that men and women are equal. It is the belief that as women we should be earning the same pay, be treated with the same respect, and not be subjected to patriarchal society any longer. It is the belief that women are strong, important, and valuable citizens. It is the belief that we are not merely sex objects, baby-carriers, wives, and secretaries. It is the belief that as women we are capable of being and doing anything that men can do. That's what feminism is.

I am sick of women who tell me that I should be glad I have the rights I do and leave it at that. I am sorry I will not leave anything unequal. As a human being that actively contributes to our society, I am not content with the stereotypes placed upon me by virtue of my gender. I am not content with the mediocre expectations and roles that this world wishes me to fill. I am not ready to accept that women and men are not equals on this Earth. Maybe true equality will not be reached in my lifetime, perhaps it will never be reached, that does not mean I am not going to try my damn hardest to make things equal.

I have talked to girls who take being called a feminist as an insult. When are girls going to wake up? Being a feminist only means that you support the theory that women are equal to men. So to any girls out there who are saying they aren't a feminist but do believe they are equal to men, then sorry but you are a feminist by virtue of what you believe. And if you don't believe you are equal to men I ask you, "WHY THE HELL NOT?" I have also heard the argument of "I'm not a feminist because I stand for the rights of all people not just women." Well being a feminist does not restrict you from supporting the rights of all people and if you support women's equal rights than you are a feminist, you just happen to have beliefs other than feminism, which is not only "acceptable" but also it is extremely important.

I have heard "feminists" speaking on women's issues then off stage they can be heard putting down other groups such as a certain races, certain religions, certain social scenes, and the list goes on. I do not understand how people can stand up and say they are equal to men, on the principle that all people are created equal, then discriminate against someone else... anyone else!! That sort of behavior is wrong, and in fact, I do not believe it belongs in feminism.