Feminism: The F-Word Men Love to Hate.

Unpacking the Misconceptions and Myths Surrounding Feminism.

As a woman living in a patriarchal society, What's funny? What's making you laugh? Why aren't you angry and bitter?

I have had the worst experiences with people, especially men, when I mention that I'm a feminist.

I've been insulted and called names, and even my intelligence has been questioned, all because I've decided to no longer be complacent in my own oppression.

I can't lie and say that I don't understand their reasoning. They want women to be subservient, act like lost puppies, and be grateful that men pay for meals on first dates.

And a lot of women do what these men want. They act like being a feminist is beneath them, and like fighting for their rights is too much work and too much of a big deal.

I don't know what they're trying to achieve. Maybe they're seeking the approval of men, or maybe they feel that no man will want them if he hears that they're feminists.

I really don't know, and frankly, I couldn't care less. What I do care about is when these women start to berate and insult more feminist and progressive women. What bothers me is when women bring other women down. It hurts because they're falling right into the hands of the patriarchy.

A lot of people, including women, just make assumptions about feminism. They've never opened feminist literature or listened to a feminist podcast or even so much as googled it.

They just assume they know what it is and what it means because they 'heard'. I don't know where they heard it from, but they 'heard' .

Whenever I ask a woman, "Are you a feminist?" and she goes, "I don't hate men," in my mind, I'm like, "Chile, chill." No one said you hated men.

Or the ones that are desperate for male approval say stuff like, "What about men? Men are suffering too." I mean, no one ever said men aren't suffering.

In response, I always liken feminism to the Black Lives Matter movement. When we say Black Lives Matter, we're not saying that all lives don't matter or that white people don't matter.

We're just saying that right now, the focus is on Black lives. It's really that simple.

Another thing a lot of people don't get is that a lot of the oppression minorities face is systematic. So, yes, men are suffering too. But there is no system in place to oppress them, apart from the system they put there in the first place.

I honestly could go on and on. Anyone that says we don't need feminism anymore is blind. I said what I said.

There was this one time I did a survey asking women if they were feminists.

One of the responses I received was that feminists are always shouting. I was honestly shocked. Out of all the reasons and misconceptions, I was speechless.

Many people seem to think that feminists are angry and bitter, (they're usually talking about female feminists) but it's important to note that anyone can be a feminist, regardless of gender.

As a woman living in a patriarchal society, What's funny? What's making you laugh? Why aren't you angry and bitter? I'm just joking, or am I?

Let's be real here. Despite the fact that this is a big misconception - after all, feminists lead happy lives - how can one be smiling when being oppressed?

Feminists are allowed to be angry. If I let myself, I would be angry all the time with all the horrible stories I hear and see of women being oppressed and trodden upon.

One of the most foolish reasons I hear for women not wanting to be feminists is that "feminism is no longer needed."

Tell that to the millions of girls who can't go to school because of gender based violence or some dumb belief that a woman’s place is in the kitchen.

Tell that to the women, women o. Not girls. That have had to go through female genital mutilation.

Tell that to the billions of women who have been and are still being sexually harassed on a daily basis. At school, at work or anywhere they go.

These are just the big things. What of the little things like unfair dress codes for female students in school.

Little things like girls being seen as property of men.

I honestly could go on and on. Anyone that says we don't need feminism anymore is blind. I said what I said.

To all the women and men reading this. The ones that think feminism is a dirty word. Please open a damn book. Because your ignorance stinks!

This kind of ignorance is what leads to internalized misogyny. Women are taught to hate themselves, their bodies, and each other. They're taught to compete with each other for male attention and to value their worth based on their physical appearance.

There are thousands of resources available for free. Where one can learn about feminism and feminists gender based violence and sexism.

Listen to Feminist Inc Podcast. Read We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Follow @blairimani on Instagram.

This is just a start. There are so many more. If you are tired of being ashamed of fighting against your own oppression. Then read, listen, look around you and find that courage.

So the next time someone tells you that feminism is unnecessary or that feminists are angry and bitter, don't be afraid to educate them.

Don't be afraid to share your own experiences and perspectives. And most importantly, don't be afraid to be a feminist.