How To Be A Better Feminist

“Feminism isn’t about making women strong. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.” —G.D. Anderson

In leiu of Women’s History month, I decided to compile a list of ways that will help you become a better feminist. No matter your gender, you will have a chance to exercise your feminist muscle and help support the movement. While reading the steps, keep an open mind and delve into these steps to make them a habit. Your life will be richer, as well as others’. Being a better feminist starts with you and the understanding that this is a movement for equality for women. This is about empowering each other as people, this is about progression and acceptance. Feminism is about self-love and love and respect for others.

Understand the concept.

Understanding that this is a political movement will help you to identify what feminism is. People are feminist, but it’s not about their identity. It’s about their actions and their beliefs. It’s the action of people that make the movement a movement. When you fight for what is right for you and others, when you want to make a difference in the world because you see the unfair treatment of people, then you are taking part in something bigger. But don’t mistake action for slacktion. (Slacktivism: not really doing anything, but talking about doing something). You really have to do your part.

Education is key.

Educate yourself. Read books, listen to podcasts, look at magazines, and do your research. Know where you stand and what issues affect people. Once you realize how much work is still needed to get EVERY person on the same playing field then you can make the step and do something useful. It takes education. It takes learning the social stigmas of women and knowing their real role in the scheme of humans, which is the same level as any man. Think glass ceiling.

Respect.

Respect all people and what they stand for. If they don’t believe what you believe, that is okay. That is why the world is a melting pot of greatness. That is why each person is an individual and we are not identical. The world runs on what each person contributes to the world. We need to embrace those skills and the individualism of each person. Just be respectful to your neighbor, to the patron at the store, to a stranger, to your friends. It’s not that hard to do.

Smile.

This is important and goes hand-in-hand with respect. Be kind. Smile at people. Say hello. Appreciate each person’s struggle. Kindness goes a long way and can make or break someone’s spirit.

Be a feminist.

No matter your social standing, your race, your gender, your position at work, whether you are homosexual or heterosexual, IT DOES NOT MATTER. Be the change you want to see in the world. It starts with you. Feminism shouldn’t be cool, but the people who make the difference are. If you are a feminist, be proud of that stance and keep making moves, keep seeing the strength in women, keep seeing everyone as equal. You got this. It only takes creating new habits for yourself of being kind, smiling, and believing that you can make a difference.