In 2018, many societal norms are changing. People are now accepting themselves more than ever, and not letting society hide them from being individuals. Throughout time people have always stood up for their rights against their suppressors, making organizations and movements. An important organization that has come from the efforts of civil rights movements is Feminism. The feminist movement has always been controversial, as have any other organizations standing up for civil rights.

However, the feminist movement has always been a part of my life. From the moment I could understand the inequality that was going to be consistent throughout my life, I knew I wanted to be able to change this.

Many people often shame the entire feminist movement. From the name to the people who associate with it, haters find a way to convince themselves feminism is an evil of today’s society. The name itself is confusing and something that I had to look up the first time I was challenged with this refuting of feminism. Feminism has this name due to the entire movement meaning bringing women up to the spot men already have in society.

Just like any group of people with the same interests, there are always going to be extremists. There are always going to be people who join the bandwagon uneducated in the topic. This is why modern feminism is often taboo: people who hate men and use the name of feminism to make their own gain.

Women and men should be equal. The efforts of feminism are not just for white girls who aren’t going to get paid the same amount at their high end jobs. For me, feminism is about equality. Feminism is about letting people be themselves and not have to deal with disadvantages because of that. Feminism is about both women and men’s problems. Feminism is about choosing what I want to do with my own body.

I will continue to be a feminist until women can wear what they want and not be harassed. I will continue to be a feminist until men are questioned more than women for rape charges. I will continue to be a feminist until the #MeToo movement doesn’t have anymore horrible stories being added to it. I will continue to be a feminist until child brides are a thing of the past. I will continue to be a feminist until women in the Middle East have basic human rights.

Feminism is a movement for everyone, and if you truly research the message and understand it, you’d be able to see why. Feminism isn’t just for American girls. It’s intersectional and important for all of society to understand its message.