Why We Hate Fourth Wave Feminism
Mainstream fourth-wave feminism was born in 2012 thanks to social media. The movement originally sought to bring attention to sexual harassment and violence against women. The polarization of the media however, has turned it into something else. Extreme left-wing feminists, or feminazis, used this crusade to seek reparations for past injustices, instead of equal rights. We hate what feminism has become. If women are to fully achieve equality in our society they could do without a campaign that falsely promotes their goals and creates animosity with others.
Isaac Vega (12th Grade Student)
I am a feminist. I am a feminist when it follows the true purpose: the equal rights and security for all women. When the movement cares more about the actual rights than perceptions, that is when I am a feminist.
The problem with feminism today is not women, but rather what the group has become through social justice warriors on the internet. Whoever does not follow their brand is not sufficiently feminist; they are perceived as aliens to their cause. When these extremely leftist views become the norm for feminism everyone else becomes a machista. It’s not like that. If someone does not support the LGBTQ+, is that person automatically a homophobic? It seems so if we follow this logic.
People involved with fourth-wave feminism stir discussion where there is none. The modern wave victimizes itself more than it should. Fourth-wave feminism today is working towards the elimination of critics much like Hitler and the Nazis. One might say, “I don't shower, but you can’t criticize me.” That is a poor mentality; they believe that they can’t be given criticism because of their gender. It’s not like that. That would not be a critique because they are women, but a critique against poor hygiene. What if I, as a man, don’t shower? Am I entitled to no criticism as well?
Feminists that board the most recent train are now working towards the diversion from men. It is irrefutable that men depend on women as women depend on men. What was once a bevy of brave females who stand up against what we called “justice” with the purpose of equality (of making women and men constitutionally the same), has now become the complete opposite. It seems that a cult of misandry has been created, and I am afraid of it.
Mayela Barrera (12th Grade Student)
Every day is Women's Day in my household. My grandmother is the matriarch of her family; my mother has never stopped working a day in her life and has raised four girls on her own. This is the example the strong women in my family have set for my sisters and I as we continue their legacy. When I was asked to write this article, I turned to a friend and asked if she considered herself a feminist, without hesitation, she responded with a firm “No.” This response is perfectly acceptable because despite not considering herself a feminist, she works to empower and support women every day. My point is, if you don’t like to be associated with this word, it’s fine because it doesn’t define you. A lack of association with the term does not mean you don’t wish to change the way women are perceived. In all honesty, I don’t know if I qualify as a true feminist, but if I did, would that be such a bad thing? One thing that really concerns me is the link people make between Nazis and feminists with the term: “Feminazis.” Comparing feminism, a fight for gender equality in all aspects of life, to a group of men in charge of one of the greatest genocides, does not sit well with me. I’ve been called “Feminazi” a couple of times and honestly, I despise this term, it offends me. It does not represent what feminism is about, instead, it antagonizes the movement. This apprehension has to stop. Men, women, if you don’t want to be linked to the word feminism, don’t; there are other ways to support the fight for gender equality. To everyone: aim to empower the women you encounter, in your classrooms, your sisters, whoever it may be. Our voices are all the same, the difference is which ones are heard.
Whether or not you consider yourself or me a feminist, I’ve learned the label does not mandate a person’s strive to empower women. I’ve learned that the two can be independent from one another.
Eugenio Garza (12th Grade Student)
Male soccer players who play in Mexico’s Liga MX earn more than their female counterparts, and that’s okay. According to a report done by El Universal, the highest paid Liga MX female player earns about 19 thousand 200 dollars a year. Meanwhile, Tigres superstar André-Pierre Gignac reportedly makes north of four million dollars in the same time period.
TV contracts, jersey sales, higher ticket revenues, and a more robust market for players are the reason why men make more playing football, not because of their gender. Human biology objectively makes the men's game a faster and stronger one than their binary gender counterparts, an extremely important factor considering that soccer is not a high action sport. What I will say is that Mexican teams are not paying their fair share of profits to their female players. Women’s soccer has to start competing for the attention of football fans just like any other league. Once Liga MX femenil improves their economic retention rates, women superstars will inevitably start getting paid.
Mr. Aguilar (High School Teacher)
Almost everyone can agree that recent political events have only murkied the water of civil discourse. In a world deluged with irrelevant and infuriating information, clarity becomes power. So let me be clear, men and women are not equal. Do they both deserve the same opportunities and protection under the law? Absolutely, but in no way or by any measure are they truly equal in their predispositions, genetic makeup, or gender roles in our society. This isn’t a matter of opinion as much as it is objectively and empirically true.
Women’s fight for equality in the western world in the mid-19th century and into the 20th century was galvanizing and admirable. They fought against unjust laws and sexist institutions. This fight in the 21st century has become something very different. Today, feminism has lost sight of what underpinned their movement for almost two centuries, institutional equality. This idea has been replaced by a social crusade to rid our culture of centuries-old norms and unconscious biases. This will be incredibly hard to do because there is no objective measure for social justice. The feminist movement has effectively picked a fight they can never be sure they’ve won. Worse yet, institutional equality remains a dream. It’s the battle left unwon.
Every person has a unique set of skills, character, background, etc. We’re all inherently unequal by almost every metric. Let’s stop propagating this lie, focus on progressive institutional reforms and embrace the uniqueness of each individual. Our differences don't make us inferior, they make us human.