Feminism.

For some, this is a lifestyle. This is your pride and joy, and your favorite thing to call yourself. For me, the day that I started calling myself a feminist my freshman year of high school was the most liberating time in my life. I altered my point of view and started following every feminist blog on Tumblr that I could find, and my mom was super proud of it.

Now, a lot of people have very construed views on feminism, but most people just do not understand the importance of it.

They believe in this altered view of feminism that the media has shoved down their throats, and the rednecks at their high school threw the word around like a bad joke. So today, right here, is your crash course on feminism. This is what it means to be feminist and important points not to forget:

1. Being a feminist does not make you an angry, Birkenstock wearing, bra-burning bitch.

There's a view of feminism that we all are vegans, sit in a circle, chant that we hate men and throw our bras into a fire. This false image of feminism has soiled the title "feminist" for way too long. Besides, both men and women can be feminists, so why is it always portrayed in the media that only women can be feminists? Shit ain't right.

2. Being a feminist does not mean you put others down.

Words are the most powerful thing in the stratosphere. They can build or break people down. Bringing other women down is not something that should be done, especially when your words can have such an impact on people. Feminism is about building other women up instead of breaking them down for validation of your own insecurities.

3. Being a feminist is knowing your potential regardless of gender.

This one is tricky, especially in the workforce. Women are often put on the back burner in the business world, and it makes women lose sight of the potential that they have. It is important to never forget the potential that you have inside of you and to never let it affect how you feel about yourself. Life is hard, and it takes time to adapt - especially as a woman.

4. Being a feminist is not something that is "mainstream."

Yes, a lot of stickers on RedBubble have something to do with being proud of being a feminist. Yes, this is something that should be targeted in the mainstream, but I feel as though in recent years, feminism has turned into a trend and not as much as a movement. The backbone of feminism is what is important and that is something to be remembered and appreciated.

5. Being a feminist does not mean you hate men.

The definition of feminism is equality of the genders, and I feel like this is something often forgotten due to the term having "fem-" in the beginning. It does not mean that you find men inferior or your less-than in any way; it means, simply, equality.

6. Being a feminist means that you keep your political views out of it, but still support others for theirs.

Feminism does not mean that you are liberal, which I feel is something that people often get confused. You can still be a feminist and support women, but let them have their own choices. Let them be able to make a stand for what they believe in, as well as allowing them to make and voice their own opinions.

It means that you are okay with a woman having an opposing view as the one that you may have, and you do not try and sway their mind one way or the other - simply, live and let live.

7. Being a feminist means not being afraid to label yourself as a feminist.

With all of the negative media coverage that feminism gets and the notorious bad rap, people are hesitant to call themselves a feminist. People believe in the elements of feminism, such as that men and women are equal.

The reasoning behind them not wanting to call themselves feminists stem from the word having "fem-" in it, which is sad. People should educate themselves and not hesitate to call themselves feminists, and not being afraid to label yourself as a feminist is one of the most important aspects.

So, in a nutshell, call yourself a feminist. Scream it from the rooftops, and let everyone know. It's not something to be afraid of - it's something to be proud of.