"I often say if you're not a feminist then you're a bigot" - Gloria Allred

Now I can't speak for everyone, obviously. But this quote really pisses me off, because many self-proclaimed feminists believe this, and are wondering why more and more women aren't calling themselves feminists anymore. Well, like I said, I can't speak for everyone, but I'll tell you my reason, and no it's not because I'm apparently a bigot or a "traitor".

Maybe, just maybe, the reason I don't feel the need to call myself a feminist is BECAUSE I want human rights to progress. And just because I don't call myself a feminist doesn't mean I can't believe in certain elements of feminism, but I also don't want it to marginalize other issues that are out there (and trust me, there is a lot of them). I want to hear every side of the story.

I find it funny how some feminists go on about how they despise being labelled but when someone doesn't want to share their title they immediately get upset and self-righteous and claim that that's not how it works and that you're either with them or against them.

Apparently one of the biggest issues with North American feminism isn't fighting against honour killings or that women are still getting stoned in the street in some countries; no, it's about who is the "better" or "true" feminist.

Now that being said, I really don't have anything against most people who call themselves feminists, because yes, women's rights are important to maintain, as with any form of human rights. But it does bother me when some feminists just don't get it. Feminism is about choice, and the thing about choice is, some people might make choices you don't agree with, and ironically that might involve choosing to ditch the whole feminist label altogether, for, believe or not, reasons other than misogyny and bigotry.

Now one argument for this is that "you're taking women's rights for granted and that you're undermining what women fought for". If that was the case I'd be one of those girls who's all about "girl power" but still expects guys to pay for dinner and be on the prowl for a rich man to wisk me away into financial security. But instead I try to improve and pursue what I'm good at, I try to better myself as a person, I try to carry myself in society that has (for the most part) treated me well, and most of all I try to work hard and all the while try accept that I may make mistakes in the process LIKE A HUMAN BEING.

Now you might say "Then you're feminist!", and that's okay. But just don't get upset if I choose not to call myself that. I choose to exercise and express my rights differently. In a funny way, feminists should be proud.