Sorry for Caring

CATHERINE CHIANG
Opinions Editor

When people realize the truth, they look at me like I have three heads.

“Oh… you’re a feminist.”

I’ve never understood this reaction. I don’t understand why my friends respond with a tone of disgust and confusion, as if the stigma that all feminists don’t shave and hate men is true, and I’ve suddenly morphed into that stereotype. I don’t see why I have to hide the fact that I believe in the power of women, that I have to feel ashamed when my peers discover that—gasp—I care about the injustices women face in today’s society.

I don’t understand how, in the 21st century, advocating for women’s rights has become something others frown upon.

Maybe my peers have decided that being a feminist is unnecessary; after all, the age of suffragettes is long over. But it’s the fact that people still think it’s acceptable to throw around offensive, demeaning comments about women when they wouldn’t dare say something that could be perceived as racist, that it’s respectable to fight for gay rights, for civil rights, for animal rights—but not for women’s rights, that makes me believe otherwise.

Just for the record, I don’t hate men and my personal hygiene is pretty typical for a teenage girl. And in the future, I’m not going to deny any more accusations. Yes, I am a feminist; yes, I want to empower women; and no, I am not ashamed.