A Movement: Why Feminism is Important Today
"Feminism: the radical notion that women are people." - Marie Shear
“There is no war on women, and there is no such thing as a female being suppressed by a male,” cries the YouTube commenter Gophergrrrl on YouTube video "Shrinking Women". Scroll down through a few more heavily worded, albeit grammatically incorrect, monologues and out of the abyss climbs Blackburn9 declaring his outrage against feminism for debunking “[a]ny suggestion of man associated with accomplishment and achievement”. This pattern of commentary continues on throughout the length of the comment section of all YouTube videos concerning feminism or sexism and bleeds into the heart of any given mass media outlet.
Unfortunately, however, these views are not limited to the confines of the Internet. Simply mentioning the word feminism in public will prompt a number of responses similar to those of the YouTubers Gophergrrl and Blackburn9. Although, despite all of the misconceptions concerning feminism, it is necessary for societal progression as it eliminates the systematic oppression of women by promoting the political, economic, and social equality of women.
I've encountered so many people who seem to be misinformed about feminism and what it promotes. They seem to think that feminism is just about equality. While this is the ultimate end game for feminism it is so much more than that. As a movement, feminism attempts to break down systems of oppressions that prevent the equality of all people. And it's impacts as a result are widespread.
Looking past the general female population, we can see that feminism helps people of all genders as well. Through the movement that is intersectional feminism, feminism helps those who are transgender, non-binary, black, poor, disabled and yes, even those whidentify as male. Feminism helps tear down the barriers of oppression such as racism, sexism, classism, and transmisogyny. Through doing this feminsim promotes equality across all backgrounds and identities. That's why it is so important. Simply because feminism helps all of us, by helping those who are in need of help.
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