Feminism. The dreaded word that makes men or really anyone who does not quite understand what it means, laugh out loud. Feminists are thought of as man- hating people who only associate themselves with women and want nothing to do with men. “Feminists have been characterized as ugly, man-hating lesbians in search of reverse discrimination" (Edley & Wetherell 3).These labels are the reason feminism has become an unpopular word and why people are reluctant to join the movement. Joan W. Scott is a social historian, but is best known for her work in feminist and gender theory (Sussman). "Since at least the eighteenth century, feminism has used history in different ways at different times as a critical weapon in the struggle for women's emancipation. Feminism's History has offered demonstrations, in the form of exemplary instances from the past, of women's worthiness to engage in the same activities as men (wage-earning, education, citizenship, rulership)" (Scott 18). The purpose of the feminism movement is to advocate for women’s rights, not to separate the two genders even more. For example it was not until August 18, 1920 that women were granted the right to vote (Staff). How crazy is that! A simple right that every human should be deserving of was not granted to a group because of their gender. I'm not here to give you a history lesson, but my point is up until recently, women have been left behind men in the political and social environment. Women were left with no choice, but to fight for their natural rights, and once they did everything changed. Feminism plays a huge role equalizing both genders and it is much more than it's text book definition.  Professor of Womens Studies & Geography, Genevieve M. Brackins at Florida State University, says the definition of feminism is a human is a human and all people are deserving of the same human rights.  We are diverse, we are different, we are many and we ought to all enjoy the same fundamental human rights. 

 

History.com Staff. "19th Amendment." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2010. Web. 20 July 2016.

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Sussman, Sarah. "Joan W. Scott." Presidential Lectures:. Stanford University Libraries, 2007. Web. 06 Aug. 2016.

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Scott, J. W. "Feminism's History." Journal of Women's History 16.2 (2004): 10-29. Project MUSE. Web. 20 Jul. 2016.