In Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TedTalk “We Should All Be Feminists,” Adichie defines feminism as is the act of acknowledging the economic and societal disadvantages women face and want to make a change. At first Adichie felt being called a feminist was similar to being labeled a terrorist because of all the negative misconceptions about feminist. Until she realized the problem wasn’t feminism or feminist but the ideals that are instilled into children at a young age. Adichie makes the claim that to help put an end to the gender inequality in society “we must raise our daughters differently. We must also raise our sons differently.” She builds off this idea giving examples on how to be feminist or raise feminist. Some being to break down gender stereotypes not only for women but for men as well. By pointing out how raising men to be masculine and tough instead of helping them understand their deeper emotions makes feminism not only a problem for women but for everyone.
My definition of feminism is the act of standing up against only traditional gender norms but also fighting for the safety and wellbeing of women around the world. Although I wouldn’t consider myself the traditional idea of a feminist I still consider myself a feminist. As a women of color a lot of acts of feminism seem very performative because they either don’t acknowledge the struggles of black and brown women in The United States or flat out negativity effect the feminist who are fighting for the rights of all women. To me being a feminist is someone who acknowledges all of the struggles and problems different women go through and want to act on it.
