I am a feminist.

I am extremely proud of this statement and I do not get offended when other people tell me that they are feminists. I have been seeing a lot of articles about other women who don't consider themselves to be feminists, and are getting upset with the feminist 'trend' that is happening all over the world. I am unsure if this thought comes from confusion or ignorance. A lot of people's idea of the word 'feminist' comes from the extremes that are shown largely throughout the community via social media and stereotypes. The "feminazi's" that people associate with the word 'feminism' are not at all what the word stands for.

Let me make myself extremely clear that "feminism" means equality. It in no way shape or form means superiority or dominance. As a feminist, I believe that men and women should be given equal opportunities in education, the workforce, and in other similar aspects. Yes, I understand sometimes men are more qualified than women, but I also know that there are women out there who are more qualified than men and still do not get the job because they are not taken seriously because of their gender.

Being a feminist doesn't mean that you can't wear makeup or dresses or have long hair- feminism isn't physical. It's about being given the same opportunities and not being turned down because of gender. Femininity is in fact not a weakness, but a difference. However, it is our male dominated society that makes people think that if a girl is feminine she is weak. I, a feminist, love dresses and lipstick and the color pink and being nice and feeling pretty and just simply being feminine. But at the same time I can also be tough, mentally resilient and am just as witty and intelligent (if not more so) as one of my male classmates. Who are you to tell me that because I like to put red lipstick on in the morning, I am unable to perform academically equal to my male peers.

Granted I am speaking from a white 18 year old college student perspective, but it's the only one I know. Some women aren't even lucky enough to be in college because they are being denied the right to education simply because they are female. I am well aware of my privileges, but I also know I worked hard for them. Luckily I was given opportunities to succeed academically and I took advantage of them. But I am not going to sit here and deny any other woman the same opportunities that I had. Every woman has her own story and her own struggles that she is trying to overcome. Why would another woman want to see her be oppressed by societal standards and be denied the basic rights to equal opportunity.

Also, just because I am a feminist does not mean that I only fight for women. I fight for men also. As an example of this, I personally believe that women should have to sign up for the U.S. draft when they turn 18. I have met boys who have similar physical builds to me, and similar strength and ability levels. It's unfair that they could potentially get called into combat while I would not. There are not many examples of white male suppression in the United States, but you can bet that I will fight just as hard for their rights as I will for my own when the time comes.

As for chivalry, I can safely say that it is not dead. If a guy opens a door for me, I am not going to get offended, but I also don't expect it and I am just as likely to open the door for a man (or woman) because that's just being nice. It has nothing to do with gender. And yes, if a guy wants to pay for dinner- I'm going to let him, and I will make sure to return the favor the next time. But feminism is so much more than opening doors and paying for meals, and I just want people to be able to make that distinction.

At the end of the day, feminism is about respect and equality for all genders- regardless of race or sexual orientation.

So for all the women out there who "don't believe in feminism" or are "proud to not be a feminist", think about what that says to the millions of other women who are not given the same opportunities as you have. Yes, we are better off than we were even 10 years ago. But our fight is far from over. And I, as a proud feminist, will not stop fighting until equal opportunities are available to all people- even if it doesn't happen in my lifetime.

So don't try to stifle my voice when all I want is equality.

Yes, I am a feminist. And yes, I am proud.