Sexism, like many “isms,” takes root in ignorance and prejudice. When you look at other “isms”—racism, anti-Semitism, classism, etc.—you can see the valiant effort made now and in the past to end discrimination. This begs the question: why is sexism, despite being such a problem, treated like a non-issue? It seems to me that most people act like sexism is a thing of the past, and we now have different humans rights issues to worry about. This is absolutely not the case. Women’s rights did not cease to be an issue when we were allowed the right to vote in 1920 a full 144 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The reason I bring this up is that I have, on several recent occasions, had teenage boys inform me that I shouldn’t be a feminist—I should be an equalist. Their definition of the word was a person who wants men and women to be equal while they defined a feminist as a person who thinks women should be more powerful than men.

I had never heard the term “equalist” before, and was more than a little disturbed by these conversations, especially since the dictionary definition of feminism is “the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.” Society has come to think of feminism as a dirty word—the other “f-word” if you will.

Much like how the extremist practices of some sects have affected society’s views on religion, some overzealous cult-like practices have similarly tainted the word “feminism”. So why does feminism have such a negative connotation? For one, when Rush Limbaugh says things like, “Feminism was established to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream,” it’s easy to see how feminism might have a bad rep. But I have a hard time believing that any rational human would take stock in anything Limbaugh says, so I don’t think he is necessarily contributing to the infamy of feminists.

A more harmful quote by a public figure came from TV actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, who spoke with Jump Magazine in 2002. Geller, who played the titular role on the show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, was highly influential for many teenage girls at the time. When asked what the word feminism meant, she said, “It makes me think of women who don’t shave their legs.”

This comment represents a stereotype of the feminist movement. Such generalizations undermine the message of gender equality by returning to the simplistic idea that women are valued largely for their appearances. Geller’s comment is particularly harmful due to the fact that she played a role that empowers females, especially teen girls.

I am bringing this issue to attention because I want other people to talk about it. Discussing feminism and sexism is important, especially in the context of our community. That way Tam students, regardless of gender, don’t go out into the world thinking that a feminist is a pushy, unshaven lesbian who thinks that women should rule supreme. As it is, too few girls and women formally consider themselves feminists, and I have yet to hear a single boy or man admit to being one. I myself never gave the matter much thought, and would not have been inclined to identify with feminism, until a teacher brought it up in class in the context of that quote by Ms. Geller. This pushed me to consider the same question I now pose to you: if feminism is simply the belief that women should be equal to men, shouldn’t we all be feminists?

It is important to have the facts because if we all know what feminism truly is, and don’t get misled by the Rush Limbaugh extremist version, then we won’t be intimidated or judged for declaring ourselves feminists. If this is the case, people will not shy away from discussion on this subject and that makes all the difference in a world where talk makes change.

In the end, I know I can’t change your mind. Only you can do that. So I leave you with a quote by English author and journalist Rebecca West. “I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat.”