The Stigma on Feminism

By: A. S. Thiollier

Feminism as we know it was coined in the mid-19th century, and since then, life for women has been entirely transformed. Over the years, the upward climb towards gender equality has been faced bravely by many familiar names and many more anonymous ones on a passionate battle that bettered the lives of billions of women in the world.

However, the movement has suffered continuous backlash and hatred. While we would like to believe the world has become more accepting, the noun "feminist" in today’s world is viewed in a derogatory way, almost as a swear or chastise. Many believers in the cause have become afraid of association and choose to keep their views private to avoid ridicule or unpleasant looks, from both men and other women.

But why is this? Why, in a world much freer than the one in which the movement began, is there so much contempt for modern feminism?  

The problem's roots go back to the rise of radical feminism during the movement’s second wave in the 60’s. While liberal feminists worked within political systems to advocate for legal and institutional reforms, radicals took more rash actions, such as protests, to voice their displeasure with the societal roots of female oppression. While this raised awareness and attracted more people to the movement, some of the attention was not necessarily good, even losing the respect of many people. In her manifesto S.C.U.M. (Society for Cutting Up Men), Valerie Solanas – a radical feminist – expressed the need for the complete elimination of men and more traditional or man-loving women. Thus, was born the misconception that all modern feminists are man-hating. 

Especially in Brazil, there is a common misinterpretation that the word “feminismo” (feminism) is the direct opposite of its counterpart “machismo” (male chauvinism) – the systemic belief that men are better than women and the encouraging of inequality. This has led many to think that feminists believe in the opposite of “machismo”: that women are inherently better than men, instead of in gender equality. 

Furthermore, second wave feminism ignored minorities like black or queer women, straining its approval to this day from those who were sidelined. The focus on the middle- or high-class white woman experience harshly limited inclusivity and often disregarded the rights of those who did not fit into these criteria. Since then, the feminist movement has expanded to become more inclusive: however, the damage was done. 

This has painted an unattractive picture of feminists to this day, despite the vitality of the issue at hand. Many women avoid referring to themselves as feminists because of the negative connotations of the word – anything from not feminine and man-hating to classist and racist. Despite the vitality of the movement in achieving a world where women and men are treated equally, this growing fear of association has made it lose power, a very worrisome fact.

If we have any hope of continuing to progress towards a better world, it is of utmost importance that we overcome this growing stigma on feminism and keep clear on its true meaning. The word has brought power and unity to women everywhere, and it is important that it can continue to encourage girls in future generations. So, if you hope for a better tomorrow, you should be proud to call yourself a feminist.