Believe Quote by Gail Collins
“You hear younger women say, 'I don't believe I'm a feminist. I believe women should have equal right and I believe in fighting for the rights of other women, but I'm certainly not a feminist. No, no, not that!' It's just a word. If you called it 'Fred' would it be better?”
About This Quote
Source Article: The New York Times, “The Word Feminist” by Gail Collins, 2020
The quote critiques how some women reject the label “feminist” despite supporting gender equality, suggesting the term is stigmatized.
In simple terms: Women may deny being feminists even when they support equality.
Key Takeaway
Challenge the stigma around the word feminist.
Themes
gender equality
identity
social labeling
Mood
analytical
empowering
critical
Type
social
cultural
When to use this quote
- Workplace discussions
- educational curricula
- media representation
- activist circles
Key Concepts
Feminism
stigma
language politics
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “feminist” mean to you?
- How can we reframe the term positively?
A Different Perspective
Label avoidance can hinder collective action.
