I try to encourage myself to act in a way that supports gender

"I try to encourage myself to act in a way that supports gender equality, and I call that feminist. Whatever word people want to use to call that, I'm not really attached to a label." These words by O.T. Fagbenle carry within them a call to action and a quiet revolution of thought. In a world where labels are often used to define and divide, Fagbenle steps away from the confines of a word and speaks to the action itself—the spirit of gender equality. He does not feel the need to adhere to any specific label, but instead, focuses on living a life that supports the principles of equality, fairness, and respect for all individuals, regardless of gender.

In the ancient world, the idea of equality was often debated, yet rarely achieved. Plato, in his work The Republic, spoke of the ideal society where roles were determined not by birth or gender, but by virtue and ability. Aristotle, however, believed that the roles of men and women were inherently different, with women occupying a subordinate position. Yet, even in his time, there were those who challenged these norms. Consider Sappho, the poet from the island of Lesbos, whose writings were filled with expressions of deep emotion and passion, often exploring themes of female desire and the complexities of gender. Sappho’s work transcended the societal limitations placed on women, offering a vision of a world where gender was not a barrier to expressing one’s full humanity. Her words were a quiet rebellion, much like Fagbenle’s actions.

The fight for gender equality as we know it today is the result of centuries of struggle, from the suffragists and suffragettes of the 19th century to the feminist movements of the 20th century. Think of Susan B. Anthony, who dedicated her life to securing the right for women to vote, or Simone de Beauvoir, who wrote The Second Sex, challenging the deeply ingrained gender norms of her time. These women, and many others, were not concerned with labels, but with the fundamental equality of all human beings. In their eyes, the label of "feminist" was not a badge of identity, but a call to action—a call to challenge a world built on inequality and injustice. Much like Fagbenle, their focus was on the work—on the changes that needed to be made to secure true equality.

Fagbenle’s statement is a reminder that gender equality is not a matter of being attached to a specific term, but of taking concrete actions that support equality and justice. Labels, as he points out, are secondary to the actions one takes to foster a more just world. One can be a feminist in action, regardless of whether they formally adopt the label or not. In a similar way, we have seen people from all walks of life challenge the status quo, even when they were not embraced by mainstream movements. The men and women who fought for the abolition of slavery were not concerned with being labeled as abolitionists; they were driven by a higher purpose, a commitment to human dignity. In this same vein, Fagbenle’s approach to gender equality focuses on the values that matter, rather than the words used to define them.

Let us now turn to a story of modern courage. Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani advocate for girls’ education, did not need a label to make her mark on the world. Her work, her courage, and her advocacy for girls’ rights to education made her a global symbol of equality. Whether she is considered a feminist or not is secondary to her mission, which is to ensure that every girl has the right to live freely and pursue her dreams. Malala’s life teaches us that labels matter less than the actions we take to bring about change. Like Fagbenle, she lives the values of equality, without being concerned about the term attached to her activism.

The lesson here is that gender equality is not about claiming a title for ourselves or attaching a label to our efforts. It is about living with integrity, acting in a way that supports the rights and freedoms of all people, and challenging the structures that perpetuate inequality. To be a feminist is not just to wear the label, but to embrace the principles that come with it: fairness, respect, and the relentless pursuit of justice. We must all ask ourselves, not whether we wear the label of feminism, but whether we live its truth every day.

In our own lives, we can take Fagbenle’s words as a guide. We do not need to identify ourselves with labels, but we must act in ways that support gender equality. Let us stand with those who fight for equality, whether in the workplace, in our homes, or in our communities. Let us question the systems that perpetuate gender inequality, and work every day to create a world where every person, regardless of gender, is treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. In this way, we honor the spirit of equality, focusing on the work that needs to be done, rather than the names we give ourselves. We are all called to be agents of change, whether or not we wear a label. The world will change not through titles, but through our actions.