Feminism is supposed to symbolize the significance of the advocacy of womens’ rights for equality with men on all levels: political, social, and economic. Yet it has become misused as  ammo to insult “extremists.” Feminism is now linked to being “above men” and is used to keep others away who don’t lean towards radical idea.

Let’s think about whether or not there’s an underlying manifestation of our own negative feedback tarnishing not just the word feminism, but all of the advocates of its time that have fought so hard to powerfully define it.

If I want to experience playing football for myself, or apply for a powerful position, am I less of a girl, a bitch, a feminist? What if saying that I threw like a girl offended me? Would it make you wonder why?

A familiar commercial on YouTube called, Always hashtag, “LikeAGirl” calls attention to this sub-conscious treatment and labeling in our society, and the dangers of its effect on people, particularly on girls as they grow into these pre-determined roles. It shows examples of judgments and expectations that are imprinted on women in the work place, on their sexuality, and the roles taken in the structure of family. There is a psychological shaping of attitudes that keeps the struggle of inequality going, and the conflict real.

“Feminism is about using a hundred percent of all the knowledge as well as any other person of the population. People do get offended, and some use the word feminism to throw in your face,” Jacquelyn Dahlke, Senior Programming Advisor for Student Life said.

The truth of this statement is felt deeply, especially in our generation today. The hypersensitivity we have makes us quick to jump into attack mode against each other and it undermines our own equality and fairness for one another.

“It’s about … everyone from everywhere in all walks of life being able come together and understand each other,” Dahlke said.

Dahlke told a story about the complexities of feminism from her own perspective. Regardless of the community, work place, or home, she applied a peaceful kind of truth to feminism; a happier ending to the misunderstandings that can cause unhealthy responses. Sometimes we don’t even realize the disrespect we are continuously causing to the meaning of feminism.

I admit that I was doing it myself. This social mistreatment of my colleagues was manipulated by my emotions. The negative feedback I gave my peers was unjust, leaving them feeling un-equal, with no fairness for a better perspective, contradicting feminism.

Dahlke left some balance to my character as I reflected on my own interaction with people; it left me feeling a little guilty. I wondered if I was deserving of calling myself a feminist too. Women don’t know how to own the word feminist, and I can say that I was one of those women. As I allowed myself to listen to the stories from other women, they gave me an opportunity to have feelings and add meaning to the word. They allowed me to appreciate and take ownership of my own feminism.

This new understanding made me realize how deserving words like ‘feminism’ are.  I’m more open-minded towards individuals and their ideas, allowing for a better understanding of what feminism means in today’s world. The force from society’s big, bad attitudes plays a role in our treatment towards one another, destroying the meaning of feminism by closing the door in our minds that could lead to restoring it.

Some people will choose to listen and some will not, and some have never really been exposed to enough situations to become familiar with feminism. No matter the experience we have with the word, we are beginning to have better ways to talk to each other about it. Slowly, we will re-condition the misunderstanding of what feminism has negatively become associated with.

What feminism means for some takes place in a time of Title Nine and the fight to play sports and have fun like the boys. It’s reminiscent of a past that brings back feelings of great change, a proud moment in history, a time of womens’ liberation.

If we allow ourselves to absorb and reflect on the equality that so many people have fought for, we may have a better association and understanding of feminism: a positive and proud one that it was meant to have. Everyone deserves to be liberated from his or her own misconceptions and to discover what feminism really means for themselves.