What is a “real” Feminist?
By: Cece Moyle
“Everyone believes in feminist things but she’s an actual feminist.” A quote sent to me earlier amidst a conservation that the participant assumed to be one of joking manner. I hesitated for a moment upon reading this, almost in automatic submission, before being struck with horror at the absolute twisted nature of the phrase. Even more grueling was my shame at my initial acceptance. I thought it made sense. Of course, I thought, it’s extreme to be a real feminist. How dare one legitimize their beliefs. To brandish the name of equality is to condemn oneself to stereotypes and the label of “that girl” (or guy lol #equality). It is essentially this mentality that plagues a generation and hinders an entire movement. It is the inherent fear of the word, reluctance to associate.