Even though I’m entering my fourth year here at Luther, I must say it’s just hitting me now how cool it is to attend a liberal, relatively forward-thinking school. It’s a far cry from my conservative high school in the middle of Hickville, USA, let me tell you that. But with recent events like the racist attacks against international students off campus and the ongoing debate about the presidential election which, let’s be honest, will most likely boil down to a question of race or gender, I’m getting the feeling that maybe Luther isn’t as open-minded as I had hoped. Let me rephrase that; I get the feeling that our generation isn’t as open-minded as I had hoped.

An example that has been on my mind lately is the concept of feminism. Immediately, that term can make the skin crawl a bit and leave one headed for the door. The word “feminist” seems to be used more as an accusation of radical, man-hating thought than a term to describe a freethinking social activist. Why is that? Why do we, meaning our society as a whole, reel away whenever feminist ideas are tossed around? Why has feminism become a four letter word? That, my friends, can be answered with simple history lesson.

When we think of feminism today, what we most often think of is the type alive during the radical 1960s and 70s. We’re talking bra-burnings, marches, kitchen strikes and general man-bashing. While the people active in this so-called “second wave” of feminism (the very first movement for women’s rights started in the late 1800s, eventually resulting in women’s suffrage in the 20s), these women had a narrow scope of what equality was all about. Women desired to level the playing field and be considered equal to men. They wanted to break free from the harsh social restrictions that considered women’s only suitable position to be in front of the stove or behind the receptionist’s desk. But feminism today is all about seeking equality not with a man, but with humans as a whole; to change the framework of equality through a basic search for humanism. The beauty of this third wave is that it advocates personal choice. Woman, man or somewhere in between, a feminist can choose what is right for their character, their attitude, their body. A feminist can choose not to adhere to social perceptions of gender or sexuality; rather, they can work to peacefully challenge these perceptions and influence change through their own example.

Now that you’re armed with a little historical ammunition, it’s quiz time. What, I ask you, does a feminist look like? Does that person look like a woman? Perhaps a professor? A porn star? A lesbian? (Heck, what does a lesbian even look like?) Well, my friends, look around you and whoever your eyes happen to land on, by Jove they are probably a feminist. Do they advocate human rights? Do they feel that equality is granted by what’s on the inside and not by what society perceives to be on the outside? By these standards, almost everyone, especially at a school like Luther, is a feminist. They’re just too afraid to admit it or to even begin considering it. I’m sure some of you even felt a twinge of derision with this “accusation” of being a feminist, eh? Well get used to it, friends. The wheels of social change are turning, and in order for our generation to grow and improve for the future, we must hop on board this new wave and not be afraid to accept a new perspective.