Why is 'feminism' such a taboo word in the 21st century?

So this is going to be a bit of a different post today, but I felt so compelled to write something on this topic as it's something I have a very strong opinion on and I'd be grateful for anyone who reads it.


Basically, I like wearing pretty dresses, heels, and nice underwear. I wear make up and I do my hair. I like boys and flirting and going out... I'm also a feminist. shocking right? I mean, aren't all feminists bra-burning man haters who don't shave? And isn't feminism outdated now anyway? I mean that was a 70's thing right?

I buy cosmo every single month, and lately they have been focusing on a new campaign, to say 'The F word', aka, feminism, and it's the most inspiring, encouraging campaign, yet at the same time it is quite alarming as it has made me realise how far women have to go, and part of the problem is that most women do not regard themselves as feminists, because their view of what a feminist is is so skewed!! Women are still paid considerably less than men in big private corporations, which is shocking enough. Whats more shocking is the way women are still treated as 'sluts' for dressing too 'provocatively' or as 'dykes' (not my use of word) for dressing too 'conservatively' or 'unfeminine'. What is even more disgusting is the way women are being treated in cases of rape. If the woman wasn't dressed in a hoodie and dragged down a back alley in the dark, if she was drunk or dressed up or if the crime was committed by her boyfriend, it MUST of been her fault. This is not the view displayed simply by the general public, but by the police, the courts, the jury. SORRY BUT I thought this was a democracy, I thought this was 2012?

A feminist is someone, male or female, who wants equal rights. Who feels that a woman deserves to be treated on the same playing field as men, rather than as inadequate. Why should a woman be punished simply for being a woman? The problem however, isn't helped by the fact that women are too afraid to say they are a feminist. How is anyone meant to make any progress if they don't stand up for themselves and for their other females? It doesn't mean you have to stop waxing or start wearing crocs. You can still be a feminist and like pink. It just means having enough self respect to turn around and say, I am capable, I am worth something, I should be listened, vagina or no vagina. 

The Sex and the City girls, in my opinion, the

ultimate modern day feminist icons.