It’s time to rebrand the feminist movement

I am a feminist. But that does not mean I am a brutish woman, rallying in the streets, shouting about how men are the oppressive pigs while setting my bra ablaze.

So why is it that I am met with sighs and eye rolls when I tell people that I support feminism and consider myself to be a feminist?

Modern feminism has garnered a lot of positive attention recently, including Playtex’s “Like A Girl” campaign and Emma Watson’s viral United Nations address introducing her HeForShe campaign, which calls on both men and women to actively change the dialogue and redefine feminism.

Our goal of equality is simple, but negative stigmas — like saying feminists are just pushy women who are out to knock down men — are what ultimately obstruct the cause. In order to continue moving forward, the modern feminist movement needs rebranding.

In light of this stigma, I was interested in gauging Pitt students’ opinions on gender equality and recording their sentiments toward feminism, so I posted a poll via Facebook on Feb. 23 to six student groups.

Within a few short hours, the poll had 100 respondents: 79 women and 21 men. Of the 100 respondents, 64 individuals identified as feminist. 

And yet, of the 64 exclusively Pitt respondents who stated that they identified openly as feminists, 51 respondents stated that they faced criticism for it. Individuals who did not identify as feminists noted they were discouraged to use the term due to the stigma attached or felt that feminism didn’t accurately reflect their beliefs on gender equality.

Given the option to elaborate on why they declined to call themselves feminist, respondents stated, “The term is too liberal in nature,” “I fully support the ideology of feminism; however, the recent trend of radical feminism is something I am strongly against,” “We need equalists caring about the equality of all people” and the always appreciated, “Cause nah [b*tch].”

When terms begin to repress ideology, it’s clear that the conversation needs to change.

Respondents had the option to opt out of answering certain questions. Of 99 respondents, 99 individuals believe in the political equality of women and men. Of 95 respondents, 93 believe in the social equality of women and men. Of 98 respondents, 96 believe in the economic equality of women and men.

Fundamentally, the grand majority of the 100 respondents believes in feminist ideals, yet when asked if they identify as feminist, they fail to. At its core, people do not feel comfortable with the word.

To truly generate change, it is imperative that men join the conversation and advocate for gender equality. In Watson’s address to the United Nations, she stated, “I have realized that fighting for women’s rights has too often become synonymous with hating men. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop. It is time that we all see gender as a spectrum instead of two sets of opposing ideals.”

In late October, actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Tom Hiddleston began to advocate for gender equality with the promotion of the “This is what a feminist looks like” T-shirt.

I applaud these men for creating a dialogue and encouraging other men to take the cause to heart. But they have been celebrated for their open-mindedness when it should be a standard for modern men to support the feminist cause.

I received scattered results when I asked male respondents at Pitt, “If you are a man who identifies as a feminist, do you identify openly and publicly?”

Of the 21 male respondents, five men chose to abstain from answering, five men stated that they consider themselves to be feminists and 11 men did not.

Because of a stigma attached to a label, we fail to address the greater inequality problems. So, it’s time to re-coin feminism.

 It’s time to advocate for equality. Rather than focusing on a term that ostracized an entire demographic, let’s work toward the advancement of women and men.

Millennials need to change the conversation and aid in the elimination of gender bias through the education of future generations.

We must discuss gender equality in the home as much as we talk about it publicly. For every commercial advocating for women’s rights, there are dozens promoting sexist behavior and imagery.

It is the modern family’s duty to implement gender positive ideals in the household. We can achieve this by condemning misogyny in media and creating an environment that promotes a healthy gender discourse.

With all the positive strides and recognition of the last few months, we must use this attention to foster a dialogue for the unification of women and men. Our generation can turn the tide and join together across genders to achieve true gender equality.

Write to Elizabeth at ead61@pitt.edu.