I'm disappointed with (some) of the passive forms of new-age feminism

The U.S. has seen a boom in feminism lately, something that I, a long-time nasty woman, should be elated about. However, and much to my own dismay, I’ve come to realize this new wave of feminism is nothing to be exciting about.

The election of President Donald Trump posed no small threat to women. His policies promised the abolishment of many of our rights and a suggested a bleak future for equality in America.

Many people devastated after Nov. 8 found solace in marches, protests and other efforts at resistance. Women began proudly dubbing themselves “nasty women” and proclaiming their desire to “smash the patriarchy.” At the time, these seemed like valiant attempts to preserve women’s rights, but the support faded quickly.

After the fanfare of the marches and social media campaigns came to an end, newcomers to the movement suddenly became less interested in the feminist agenda. People realized the effort it takes to constantly resist the patriarchy and advocate for gender equality, and feminism became like any other trend in modern society: It had its peak and it had its downfall.

Although the movement grew in size overall, it has begun to shrink in substance.

Somewhere along the way, people seem to have forgotten the true meaning of feminism. These new feminists aren’t putting in the work to further the feminist agenda. They are under the illusion that donning a pink pussy hat and decorating their laptop with a “nevertheless, she persisted” sticker is somehow protecting our rights.

I recognize that, of those who are new to the feminist movement, many are actively working to preserve women’s rights and fighting for the future that we need. The efforts of these feminists are commendable, and I do not want to understate their impact.

It seems that commercialized feminism is beginning to replace the activism we really need. Posting a Facebook status has replaced lobbying for bills that will protect women. Wearing a button on your backpack that says you are “pro-choice” has replaced volunteering at domestic abuse shelters or Planned Parenthood clinics. Wearing a T-shirt that says you believe a woman’s place is in the house and senate makes it okay to sit silently in class while a professor disrespects a female classmate.

In an age controlled by social media, feminism has become the next trendy thing to have on your Instagram feed and the newest sassy phrase to retweet, but we risk losing sight of the importance of real action.

Don’t get me wrong, I would much rather have a world filled with passive feminists than a world filled with active misogynists, but that doesn’t mean we should be satisfied with what feminism has become.

I want to urge all so-called feminists to rethink their efforts. Are you making a difference? Have you done anything that will help the women of America and the women of the world, even on a small scale? If the answer is no, if have read this and thought to yourself “I might be the sluggish feminist this girl is describing,” I’d like to suggest that you reevaluate your feminist efforts and become a part of what we need — an active feminist community.

Abigail Miller is a UF journalism sophomore. Her columns appear on Fridays.