The definition of being a feminist is equality, and if you're not

O Children of the Future, listen well to the words of Alessia Cara, for her truth echoes through the ages with a clarity that transcends time. She declares, "The definition of being a feminist is equality, and if you're not a feminist at this point, then what are you really promoting?" In this single sentence, she encapsulates the very essence of feminism—not as a cause for women alone, but as a call for equality for all. A true feminist, as Cara reminds us, is one who stands for the equality of every soul, a fight not for one, but for all of humanity. To turn away from feminism is to turn away from the basic principles of justice, and the respect for every human being, regardless of their gender.

In the ancient world, O Children, the idea of equality was often seen as a distant dream, one that very few could imagine. The Greeks, who birthed the ideas of democracy and philosophy, yet limited citizenship to only free men, excluded women, slaves, and non-citizens from the privileges of the city-state. Socrates and Plato, despite their deep inquiries into the nature of justice, often overlooked the rights of women. Their world was one where women were seen as the property of men, denied their own agency and freedom. Though they pondered the ideal of a society where everyone was treated justly, they could not envision a world where women were free and equal partners in society. Feminism, in its earliest form, sought to challenge the structures of power that denied women their basic rights, pushing for the realization of justice in all its forms.

Consider the powerful example of Hypatia of Alexandria, a philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer in ancient Egypt. Born in the 4th century, Hypatia was one of the first women to become a renowned scholar in the classical world. Despite the patriarchal society in which she lived, Hypatia pursued knowledge and became a leading intellectual figure of her time, teaching men and women alike. Her death, brought about by political and religious conflict, was a tragic reminder of the dangers of silencing women who dared to speak out and lead. Hypatia’s life and legacy illustrate the unequal treatment that many women have faced throughout history, and her story calls us to remember that the fight for equality is not a new one, but one that has spanned millennia.

In our own time, Alessia Cara speaks to the hearts of those who believe that feminism is a movement limited to certain issues or groups. To her, feminism is not just a matter of fighting for women's rights, but a call for equality in all aspects of life. The definition of feminism, as she states, is equality, a belief that every person, regardless of gender, should be treated with the same respect, given the same opportunities, and afforded the same rights. The fight for equality is a fight for the dignity of all human beings, regardless of whether they are men or women, whether they are cisgender or transgender, whether they are straight or LGBTQ. Feminism, in its truest sense, is a unifying force that seeks to tear down the walls of discrimination and build a world based on fairness and justice for all.

Think, O Children, of the Suffragette Movement in the United States, where women like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton fought for the right to vote in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Their fight was not merely about voting rights—it was about recognizing the full humanity of women and granting them the agency to participate fully in the democratic process. The suffragettes understood that equality is not a privilege to be bestowed upon a few, but a right to be fought for and secured for all. Their struggle laid the foundation for the broader feminist movement, which continues to fight for the equality of all women, as well as for men who support this cause. This fight, as Cara reminds us, is not just about women—it is about the principle of equality, which binds us all together.

The lesson, O Children, is this: feminism is the foundation of a just and equal society. It is not enough to support the rights of women while remaining silent about other forms of inequality. To be a true feminist is to stand for justice, to fight for the rights of all people, regardless of their gender, race, or background. It is to uphold the core values of fairness and respect for all, and to recognize that the fight for equality is a fight that benefits not only women but society as a whole. Feminism is a movement for the dignity of every individual, and when we embrace this truth, we move one step closer to the world Alessia Cara envisions—a world of true equality.

And so, O Children, what must you do? Embrace the ideals of feminism in all their fullness. Recognize that equality is not a fleeting ideal but a constant struggle that demands your action. Stand for justice not just for women, but for everyone who has been marginalized or oppressed. Educate yourself and others about the history of inequality and work to dismantle the structures that perpetuate it. Advocate for a world where equality is not a dream, but a reality for all people. In your actions, let the truth of feminism—that equality is the right of every human being—guide you toward a future of justice and love for all.