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Calling yourself a feminist doesn’t make you an extremist. It’s a cultural misunderstanding, and it’s prevalent enough that the general public shuns the term. It has a nasty reputation for extremism, for anger and vitriol towards… well, everyone. So, nobody wants to be a feminist. They’re not like those women. They’re normal people, for goodness sakes! Do they believe in equality for all, regardless of sexual identity or preference? Well, sure. Do they think women deserve equal pay for equal work? Of course! But please, for the love of god, don’t call them feminists.

The internet is littered with statements like “I hate religion.” I’m bothered by this in the same way. Some religious people are misguided, certainly, and I don’t personally believe what they do, but there are a lot of normal folk and a couple crazies in every house of worship. The crazies, unfortunately, are the ones who get all the press. I’m not just talking about faith, but fanaticism. No, I don’t like Evangelical Christians, but neither do I enjoy the marketing team at PETA. I don’t like Vegans who chastise me in public for drinking milk. I don’t like Star Wars fans who curse me to high heaven for only liking the films casually. I have tattoos, but I don’t want to be covered head to toe and drive a motorcycle fueled by Jack Daniels. I’m a firm believer in moderation.

For this reason, feminism infuriates me. The idea behind it is so simple. To be a feminist, one must simply believe in equal rights. That everyone should be treated fairly. The idea is shocking, to some. Aren’t feminists all bra-burning man-haters with shaved heads and armpit hair? Sure, the same way all Christians are middle-aged homophobic white men. The same way all Greenpeace members have dreadlocks and hemp sandals.

They don’t.

Being a feminist just means being a decent human being. 

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tagged as: rants.