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68 | GRAVITAS MAGAZINE GravitasMag.com While the issues have evolved over the generations, the real conversation behind feminism today is how it has changed from a singular voice to a chorus of multi-cultural and multi-generational voices. It's a sizable shi from the days when the only faces that represented the cause were white women's. While NOW remains a vocal proponent for women and Steinem continues her fight for women's rights, the face of feminism has broadened beyond individuals and applies to both women and men. "We are now becoming increasingly comfortable with the plurality of voices," explains Reid. One of the biggest critiques of the second wave of feminists was the lack of intersectionality, or diversity among the group, explains Jerin A rifa, NOW 's First Virtual Chapter Young Feminists & A llies President. She says, "Feminism today is certainly not perfect when it comes to including non-white, straight, and middle- class women, as proven by the viral hashtag #solidarityisfor whitewomen. However, in general, younger women tend to be more conscious of the inequalities among different groups of women." is past year feminism came roaring back to the foreground of popular culture. A word that had long ago lost its racy reputation was dusted off and electrified. 2014 was a year when women of all ages, races and backgrounds stood up to be recognized. Beyonce famously emblazoned the word "FEMINIST" in lights as her backdrop for her performance at the 2014 V M A Awards on MT V. Actresses Emma Watson and Lena Dunham and Facebook COO, Sher yl Sandberg , were among the women that lent their voices – and faces — to the conversation. On the global stage, Pak istani activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai and Pussy R iot gave credence to the feminism fight. e result? A spontaneous wave of women who identified with the message of feminism and championed the sisterhood. Or not? While Watson's impassioned, game changing "HeforShe" speech before the United Nations on gender equality commanded headlines last fall , she seemed an unlikely spokesperson for her generation. As Watson remarked in her speech, "Apparently I am among the ranks of women whose expressions are seen as too strong , too aggressive, isolating , anti-men and unaractive." Many Millennials today, including actresses like Shailene Woodley and Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting have denounced the word " feminism" and being labeled as " feminist" because of the so-called negative connotations associated with those words. Feminism experts also contend that Millennials shy away from being associated with national organizations, preferring the grass-roots efforts to realize impact and engagement. en a social media millennial back lash began to sweep the Internet as young women took to their keyboards and cameras denouncing feminism as an outdated concept that did not apply to them. Once again, the word has become a source of division due to perception. But for that sect of Millennials today, I would contend that they don't understand the real definition of feminism, which means equal rights for both men and women. It's not "us vs them," as Watson emphasized in her gender equality speech."It is time that we all see gender as a spectrum instead of two sets of opposing ideals. We should stop defining each other by what we are not and start defining ourselves by who we are. We can all be freer and this is what HeForShe is about. It's about freedom." While many bales have been won in A merica, the fight for true equality is hardly over. When those female millennials begin their careers and realize their paycheck is over 25% less than their male colleagues, they might reconsider their position. As the men in their office receive promotions ahead of them, they may find new affinity for the movement. While equality in the workplace and sexual harassment remain real issues, a new wave of feminists are focused on baling the rise in the number of sexual assaults in the militar y and on college campuses, helping women who are aacked in prison, and identif ying with more identity-based issues such as LGBT rights and gay marriage. Across the globe, the fight continues to allow women the right to drive in Saudi A rabia, fighting sexual harassment in France, or the struggles in ird World countries baling against female genital mutilation, so-called " honor" k illings, female infanticide, forced marriages and child marriages, and having access to contraception and safe abortions. Atrocities against women around the world are far from over. While many advances have been made in A merica in the past 100 years, women are far from equal, even in A merica, and certainly, not around the globe. Perhaps, we are on the cusp of the next wave of feminism, a bale that will be raged on the international stage beyond the borders of Western civilization. As the fight for equality matures a new and valuable weapon has been added to the arsenal: social media. By utilizing the power of social media in the feminism fight, the movement has taken on a global army leveraging Facebook, Instagram, online petitions and other tools to gain supporters and push agendas, allowing women to bond and talk about the issues and struggles in their countries. Even with all of the progress made, the struggle continues with the torch passed to the next generation who fight to bring even more rights to women around the globe. ey appear to be a force to be reckoned with, the fight appears to be in good hands. We are now becoming increasingly comfortable with plurality of voices. " "

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