It started as a joke. You’ve probably seen the videos—someone walking toward a camera, deadpan expression, delivering a series of "of course" statements that range from the deeply personal to the hilariously mundane. But when the "I'm a feminist obviously" trend took over TikTok and Instagram, it did something weird. It turned a heavy, often academic, and frequently misunderstood political identity into a bite-sized piece of cultural currency.
Social media trends are usually hollow. They come, they stay for a week, and they vanish into the digital graveyard of dance challenges and "core" aesthetics. This one feels different. By pairing the phrase I'm a feminist obviously with everyday behaviors, people are reclaiming a label that has been dragged through the mud for decades.
The Anatomy of a Viral Re-brand
Let’s be real. For a long time, calling yourself a feminist in public felt like an invitation for a debate you didn't ask for. You’d say the word, and someone would inevitably bring up bra-burning (which mostly didn't happen the way people think) or man-hating. It was exhausting.
Then came the "of course" trend.
The structure is simple. "I'm a feminist, obviously I'm going to support my friends' businesses even if I don't need the product." Or, "I'm a feminist, obviously I'm going to overthink every interaction I have with a male boss." It’s self-deprecating. It’s relatable. It’s also incredibly effective at humanizing the movement.
We’ve moved past the era of the "Girlboss"—that hyper-polished, corporate version of feminism that dominated the 2010s. That version was all about glass ceilings and power suits. It was also, frankly, a bit exclusionary. The I'm a feminist obviously vibe is the opposite. It’s messy. It’s about the contradictions of living in a world that isn't built for you while still trying to navigate it with some semblance of humor.
Why the "Obviously" Part Matters
There is a certain power in stating the obvious. When people use this phrase, they are signaling that feminism isn't a radical fringe theory anymore. It’s a baseline. It’s the starting point.
By saying "obviously," the speaker is refusing to justify their stance. They aren't citing Bell Hooks or Kimberlé Crenshaw—though they probably should—they are just existing. This shift from "Let me explain why I deserve rights" to "Obviously I believe in equality, now look at this funny thing I do" represents a massive shift in how Gen Z and Millennials process social justice.
It’s a shortcut. A social handshake.
Pop Culture and the "Obviously" Effect
We can't talk about this without mentioning the "Barbie" movie or the Taylor Swift "Eras Tour." These weren't just entertainment events; they were economic and cultural juggernauts that centered the female experience. When Greta Gerwig’s Barbie dropped, the internet exploded with the realization that, yeah, being a woman is complicated.
The I'm a feminist obviously trend is the digital descendant of that movie. It’s the realization that you can like pink and want to dismantle the patriarchy at the same time. You can be obsessed with skincare and still be a fierce advocate for reproductive rights.
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Nuance. That’s what’s happening here.
People are tired of being put in boxes. In the past, if you were a "feminist," you had to look a certain way and act a certain way. If you failed to meet those arbitrary standards, you were "doing it wrong." Today? The trend suggests that feminism is just... part of the vibe. It’s baked into the daily routine.
What the Critics Get Wrong
Of course, there’s pushback. There’s always pushback.
Critics argue that reducing a complex political movement to a 15-second video clip "waters down" the message. They say that saying I'm a feminist obviously while doing a "get ready with me" video is performative.
Honestly? They might be right. To an extent.
But here’s the thing: visibility matters. In a world where rights are being rolled back in real-time—look at the post-Roe v. Wade landscape in the U.S. or the ongoing struggles for education in Afghanistan—normalizing the word "feminist" is a political act. Even if it’s done with a ring light and a lip gloss.
When a 16-year-old sees their favorite creator say "I'm a feminist, obviously," it removes the stigma. It makes the ideology accessible. It’s the "top of the funnel" for social change. You start with the meme, and you end up at the protest.
The Evolution of the Label
Feminism has always had a branding problem.
- First Wave: Suffragettes were seen as dangerous radicals.
- Second Wave: Activists were labeled as "angry" or "unfeminine."
- Third Wave: It got academic and, at times, fractured.
- Fourth Wave: This is where we are now. It’s digital. It’s intersectional. It’s meme-ified.
The I'm a feminist obviously trend is the Fourth Wave in its purest form. It utilizes the tools of the digital age—humor, repetition, and short-form video—to spread an old message in a new way.
The Subversive Power of Humor
We underestimate how much work humor does.
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When someone says, "I'm a feminist, obviously I'm going to spend thirty minutes deciding if this email sounds too aggressive or too nice," they are pointing out a systemic issue. They are talking about the "double bind" women face in professional settings.
The joke is the entry point. The reality is the systemic pressure to be "likable" while being "assertive."
It’s a way of saying, "I see the absurdity of the world I live in." And there is a lot of solidarity in that. When you see a video like that and hit the like button, you aren't just liking a joke. You’re acknowledging a shared reality.
Beyond the Screen: Making It Real
Is a TikTok trend enough? No. Obviously not.
If all we do is post videos and buy "The Future is Female" t-shirts made in sweatshops, we’ve failed. The trend is the spark, not the fire. The real work happens when the phone is off.
It happens in the way we vote. It happens in the way we distribute labor at home. It happens in the way we support (or don't support) the most vulnerable people in our communities.
Intersectionality: The Non-Negotiable
If your version of I'm a feminist obviously doesn't include trans women, women of color, disabled women, and low-income women, then it’s not feminism. It’s just a brand.
True feminism—the kind that actually changes things—is intersectional. It recognizes that a Black woman’s experience with the patriarchy is fundamentally different from a white woman’s. It acknowledges that the "glass ceiling" doesn't even exist for people who can't get into the building.
The trend is a great way to start a conversation, but we have to make sure the conversation includes everyone.
How to Lean Into the Trend (The Right Way)
So, you want to jump on the bandwagon? Or maybe you’re just curious about why your feed is full of these videos. Here is how to navigate the I'm a feminist obviously culture without losing the plot.
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Don't overthink it.
The beauty of the trend is its simplicity. You don't need a manifesto. You just need a relatable moment that highlights the reality of being a person who believes in equity.
Keep the politics in the picture.
It’s okay to be funny, but don't let the humor erase the stakes. Every now and then, use your platform to talk about something that actually matters—legislation, community organizing, or local activism.
Watch who you follow.
The algorithm likes to show us people who look like us. Break out of the bubble. Follow feminists from different backgrounds, different countries, and different generations.
Support creators, not just the trend.
There are people who have been doing this work for years before it was a "trend." Find them. Read their books. Listen to their podcasts.
The Long Game
Trends die. Feminism doesn't.
We will eventually stop making these videos. Some other format will take its place. Maybe it will be a 3D hologram or a VR experience. But the core sentiment—the "obviously" part—needs to stay.
The goal isn't to have a viral video. The goal is to reach a point where we don't even have to say it anymore because the world finally reflects the values we’re joking about.
Until then, we keep posting. We keep laughing. We keep calling out the nonsense.
Moving From Content to Action
If you’ve been scrolling through the I'm a feminist obviously tag and feeling inspired, here’s how to take that energy into the real world.
- Check your own bias. We all have them. Look at how you judge other women—especially those who don't fit your specific "type" of feminism.
- Vote with your wallet. Support women-owned businesses, but also look at the labor practices of the companies you buy from. Empowering one woman at the expense of another isn't progress.
- Learn the history. Understand that this movement didn't start on a smartphone. Read about the Combahee River Collective. Look into the history of the ADA and how it intersected with women's rights.
- Show up. Whether it’s a local school board meeting or a national march, physical presence still matters.
The meme is the "hello." The action is the "stay."
The next time you see a video or feel the urge to post "I'm a feminist obviously," remember that the "obviously" is a commitment. It’s a promise to keep looking at the world through a lens of equity, even when it’s not funny, and even when it’s not trending.
Keep the humor. It’s what keeps us sane. But keep the fire, too. That’s what actually changes the world.