Graphic By: Julie Brennan

A friend of mine told me a story once about how a teacher in his class asked everyone who was a feminist to raise their hands. He and maybe one other person raised their hands. Now, is this because they really were the only two feminists in the room or was it because most people in the class didn't know what the word really meant? I believe it was the latter and I believe this because most people use the word "feminist" like it was an insult. To many people, a feminist is someone who hates men, but that can't be further from the truth. The definition actually has to do with equality instead of one being better than the other. Dictionary.com defines "feminist" as "of or relating to or advocating equal rights for women" and "belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes." There is nothing in that definition that speaks negatively about the meaning of the word. It is only the people who use it who tack on a negative meaning. It's sad, really.

The word "liberal" is defined in Dictionary.com as being "not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry." It is also defined as being "open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded." In my understanding, being tolerant, open to new ideas, broad-minded, and free from bigotry are generally positive terms, yet people like to use this word negatively. Perhaps the reason for this is because they get the word "liberal" confused with the word "Democrat." I assure you, my friends, they are not the same. It is possible to have a liberal Republican, just as it is possible to have a conservative one. But you don't have to believe me. Dictionary.com defines the word "Democrat" as being "for the people," "believing in or practicing social equality," and "being an advocate for democracy" (which is defined in the first two quotes). Correct me if I'm wrong, but those definitions are not the same as those of the word "liberal."

I can understand if you do not support a liberal point of view and if you would rather live a traditional, moderate, cautious, un-changing life, but it is just plain ignorant to call being liberal a negative thing if you value progress, change or new ideas at all.

Hopefully, after reading this article, you will cease to be ignorant on this topic. You really have no excuse not to. "Ignorant" is defined in the dictionary in three parts:

1. Lacking education or knowledge.
2. Showing or arising from a lack of education or knowledge.
3. Unaware or uninformed

Hopefully, being in college and having a high school education under your belt, the first two do not apply to you. That only leaves number three: being unaware or uninformed. You are now aware and informed. Act like it, put your dukes down, and use your words...properly.