In recent years social media has becoming a starting ground for international protests and spreading awareness, but recently it’s given way to a prominent anti-feminist movement. 

Led by people with usernames like “SmashingModernFeminism,” “Sweet Southern Lady” and “His Honey Bunch,” the “I don’t need feminism” movement has become a breeding ground for ignorance and self absorption—not to mention flagrant spelling and grammatical errors. 

On Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Tumblr people are spreading erroneous ideas about how feminism “belittles” and “dehumanizes” men.

While the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines feminism as “the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities,” it appears that the people spearheading this movement seem to have missed the memo.  

READ MORE: When Did Feminism Become A Bad Thing? 

Another common problem not just with the “I don’t need feminism movement,” but with many people’s understanding of feminism as a whole, is that all too often people see feminism as an attack on femininity.

From time to time even bra-burning feminists forget that “leaning in” isn’t a prerequisite of feminism. Stay-at-home moms who choose to spend their days raising children and cooking dinner for their husbands are not inherently aligned against feminism.

Feminism encourages women to make their own choices and live however they choose rather than prescribing a singular way of life. Even Total Sorority move has responded to the anti-feminist onslaught because they know that you can delight in having a man buy you a cosmopolitan as you parade around in 5-inch heels and still be a feminist. 

READ MORE: What Does It Mean To Be A Feminist? 

Furthermore, the people posting about how they don’t need feminism are largely from developed nations where they have access to the media and technology needed to partake in such a movement. Yet, in many of the posts people boast of how they “don’t feel oppressed,” ignoring the unequal treatment of women and men around the world. 

Today women in the United States and other Western treatment have the luxuries of choosing to purse their own careers and voting, but in other countries around the world people are still fighting for the rights people like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton helped secure for us already.

Feminism isn’t just about securing equality for yourself; it’s about continuing to fight for equal rights for people around the world.

READ MORE: How To Be A Male-Identified Feminist And Mean It 

Throughout the internet people are responding to this overwhelmingly female-led attack on women, making it looks like there will be a silver lining to this after all. The “I don’t need feminism” movement is launching an even stronger and longer lasting countermovement that is helping make feminism more mainstream. 

Contact Deputy Editor Sara Newman here. Follow her on Twitter here.