"Feminism has two core principles 1. Feminism concerns equality and dignity and is a social movement for justice that works toward human dignity and equality for all. 2. Feminism is inclusive and affirming of women and expressions of femininity; it celebrates women’s achievements and struggles and works to provide a positive and affirming stance toward women and expressions of the feminine."

For the Spring 2017 semester, I'm taking a class called "Intro to Women's Studies and Gender". On the first day, my professor gave a list of the five biggest stereotypes that people have about feminists.

Here are the five stereotypes and my responses to them.

*note: this is my personal opinion. I do not represent all feminists. However, if my opinions bother you or feminism in general bothers you, this is not an article you should read.*

1. "Feminists are angry, whiny women who have no sense of humor."

This is false because:

~ I am the funniest person I know.

~ Fighting for the equal rights we should have been born with *like, dare I say it, wealthy white men were* (aka the people who most often complain about feminists) shouldn't be classified as "whiny".

~ The "angry" part of this, for me personally, is true. The fact that I'm writing this article in the year 2017 clarifying what being a feminist really is, enrages me.

2. "Feminists hate men or want to be like men and want to create systems of power OVER men."

BEING A FEMINIST IS NOT CODE FOR "WE THINK WE'RE BETTER THAN MEN". Do I need to say it again for the people in the back?

3. "All feminists are lesbians."

ha ha ha no. We're not all lesbians. It is possible to believe that women can have the same rights as men and still like men. (on a side note: even is we were all lesbians, why would that matter? Do lesbians opinions mean less now, too? I suppose that's an article for another time.)

4. "Feminists have rejected motherhood and all things feminine."

If I have in my way when I'm older, I'll have a great husband, eight kids, and a bunch of dogs. The fact that people think feminists are "rejecting motherhood" is ridiculous. It's the exact opposite. I want my daughters to believe and know that they are capable and deserving of every opportunity that my sons are. No one should be punished for being born with a *dare I say it* vagina. This ALSO means that just because I want and hope to have kids someday, doesn't mean that I care any less about my current job or any future jobs. A mother's occupation is just as important as *dare I say it* fathers.

5. Feminism is dismissed as a white middle-class movement.

White middle-class women, lower-class Asian women, upper-class black women...don't we all deserve the same rights? Regardless of class, ethnicity, religion etc.?

Other random clarifications that I have:

We want to be able to go to a party dressed in whatever we want without "teasing boys". We owe you NOTHING!

We are allowed to "friend zone" you! Just because we don't want to sleep with you, doesn't mean we don't want you in our lives?

WE SHOULD GET EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK. It's shocking to me that this statement needs to be said.

We are intellectually equal!!

Being feminist doesn't mean I think that "shivery is dead". Let's take turns paying for dinner. Let's open the doors for each other. Let's be a duel income household. Let's both take care of the kids, dishes, yard work, and laundry. You can spoil me sometimes and sometimes I'll spoil you. But I'm definitely not someone you have to "take care of".