As a young woman in today’s America, I feel I can do just about anything that the average Joe can do. Women started with absolutely nothing, no rights nor any kind of privilege. This includes restrictions on certain occupations, not being allowed to use their law degrees to the fullest, no working while pregnant and not being able to vote.

In 1981, Sandra Day O’Connor was the first female Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, marking a huge step in women’s rights.. Now, within the next year, Kylie Jenner is expected to become the youngest self-made billionaire ever. There is no doubt that we have came a long way, but we sure did not get where we are by being irrational and radical. All throughout history, the goal has been, and continues to be, fighting for both genders to be equal, nothing more and nothing less.

Proponents of radical feminism feel the need to be superior and that overthrowing men is the only solution. True feminism is people advocating for equal rights for men and women on a political, economic and social basis. The only way changes will be made is fighting for equality rather than superiority.

“Lean out so we can actually just stand up without being beaten down. Pledge to vote for feminist women only. Don’t run for office. Don’t be in charge of anything. Step away from the power. We got this. And please know that your crocodile tears won’t be wiped away by us anymore. We have every right to hate you. You have done us wrong,” said Suzanna Danuta Walters, professor of sociology and director of the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program at Northeastern University and editor of the gender studies journal, in her Washington Post article titled “Why can’t we hate men?”

People, let alone men in power, do not listen to nor do things for those who whine and insult them while doing so. If men are apparently at the top of the hierarchy, why would you think attacking them would get through to them? Men are more than willing to take part in the feminist movement and want us to succeed but not when we are screaming at them saying we have every right to hate them. Not everyone feels that way, I know I definitely do not.

Claims such as “vote feminist women only” and “step away from the power” gives true feminists the wrong image. That is not what true feminism is fighting for. That is unfair to us because the hate is given all of the attention. This makes them not want to help any of us, and we all get mislabeled as unreasonable.

Toxic feminism is truly hypocritical. You are complaining about men abusing their power, which do not get me wrong, some do, it is still not right to categorize all men as doing so. The #MeToo movement has brought a lot of disgusting men to light. But, there are awful people, both male and female. Justice is not always served to those who deserve it, and sometimes justice is served to those who are plagued with false accusations. Let’s work together to fix both sides, rather than just one. Quite frankly, the system is a mess. This is no benefit to anyone.

America still has a long way to go with many things, of course. Women have made history and that is exactly what we will keep doing as long as we do it the right way. When someone is defensive, they are not listening to the other person. They are thinking of ways to defend themselves, which is a road to nowhere. Calm down, be reasonable, be logical and have respect for everyone.

There are plenty kinds of feminist, each having different views. No matter what you feel or what you are advocating for, ask yourself if this is better, worse or a part of the problem?