Don’t worry, I’m not against gender equality, just keep reading; the title is a Star Wars reference. The more and more I think about Joss Whedon’s words and the stigma surrounding the word “feminism”, the more I feel that having a title for the movement for gender equality is problematic. First, off you shouldn’t have to take on an idea or movement as you come of age to agree with the simple notion of gender equality. Believing in gender equality, I think, is something that almost all people agree with. It is true that there is plenty of progress to be made in many parts of the world, including Western nations, and people often have differing opinions of what gender equality means especially when it comes to reproductive rights. That being said, because the concept of gender equality is now far more widespread and accepted, it’s time to find a way to make it more accessible.

One of the problems currently faced by feminism is that it is losing an ideological war on the internet. Feminism is being dragged through the mud by ignorant charlatans on YouTube, Facebook, Reddit, and 4chan; as a result, a considerable percentage of the young male population is being indoctrinated into believing that feminism is evil, and, as a result, that the fight for gender equality is a thing of the past. As it looks, the battle for the internet is one that “Feminists” simply will not win. It’s time to start teaching feminist concepts in schools without the word “feminism”. I’m not yet sure about the word “genderist,” but I think Joss Whedon was right on the money with his conceptualization of the future fight for gender equality.