Who is a feminist? Who can be a feminist? What does a feminist look like?
I bet most people would answer these questions thinking of something like the following clip from the hit TV show “Portlandia” (note: some blunt dialogue, but no cursing).
I think “Portlandia” is an excellent show, and does a great job of pointing out the potential for absurdity amongst many different kinds of people. With that, I find it very important to note that “Portlandia” is entertainment, and not necessarily a clear reflection of real life.
Feminists come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and yes, genders. Women always have been, and always will be, the driving force behind the feminist movement. But in my opinion, the feminist movement needs men to become involved; not just by virtue of being men, but because as I have often said, we need to think of “women’s issues” as “everybody’s issues.” Once we think of these issues as “everybody’s issues,” men immediately become part of the conversation, and subsequently, part of the solution to numerous issues affecting women.
It’s important to note that being a feminist by no means makes a man less of a man. Consider that some major college football stars consider themselves feminists, including former Syracuse quarterback Donald McPherson, as well as recent Florida State cornerback (and Rhodes Scholar) Myron Rolle. Also considering themselves feminists are SNL all-star Andy Samberg and beloved M*A*S*H actor Alan Alda (once dubbed "the quintessential Honorary Woman: A Feminist Icon" by the Boston Globe).
This article from The Frisky contains a slideshow of 12 famous male feminists. As you will see, the group of people shown in the slideshow is comprised of some of the smartest, most talented, most respected, and manliest men around.
Fellow men: don’t be embarrassed to consider yourself a feminist. After all, what man worried about his masculinity wouldn’t want to be put in the same conversation as Brad Pitt, Barack Obama, or Eddie Vedder (or even yours truly)?
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