The Feminist Issue

Feminism. It's a topic that has been getting a spotlight over the past couple of years. As someone who identifies as a feminist myself, I am ecstatic over this. Women and their allies have been fighting for equality for far too long. As a movement that has united women and created such strength, it is unfortunately surprising that there is such debate within the feminist community.

That being said, I do understand that there are many different views when it comes to anything, so why should feminism be any different? True, there are always going to be opposing sides, but at the same time, I feel that it comes to a point when picking sides just causes unnecessary arguments, moving backwards in terms of equality.

Let's take the whole pin pointing celebrities, as an example. Hollywood celebrities are targeted unfairly as it is. If they say one thing that can be interpreted as offensive, then they are publicly shamed and humiliated. The whole industry is sick in that way, taking away the privacy of individuals and turning their image into a marketing tool, rather than the being  of a person. So it's easy to take a self-proclaimed feminist celebrity, and point out everything that could be wrong about them and their beliefs.

Furthermore, why are words like feminism and empowering women used as means for some women to take other women down? Aren't those very words meant to give another power over our own lives? Don't get me wrong, there are times when it is important to use concepts such as feminism and equality to fight...we need to combat issues of sexism and rape culture. However, I see it far too often used as a tool for women to tear apart other women, when it could be used to help empower another.