Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie didn't just write a book or give a TED talk. She basically started a global shift in how we talk about gender without even trying to be a "brand." When Beyoncé sampled her in Flawless, the phrase we are all feminist stopped being a niche academic theory and became a literal pop culture anthem. But honestly? It’s more than just a catchy slogan on a Dior t-shirt. People get it wrong constantly. They think it's about hating men or some kind of weird social hierarchy flip, but if you look at the actual data and the lived experiences of people today, it's really just about the radical idea that women are, you know, people.
It's 2026. The conversation has evolved. We aren't just talking about equal pay anymore—though that’s still a mess—we’re talking about the mental load, the "pink tax," and how the patriarchy actually hurts men too. It’s heavy stuff, but it’s also remarkably simple when you strip away the political noise.
What it actually means when we say we are all feminist
Most people hear the word "feminist" and their blood pressure spikes. Why? Because we’ve been conditioned to see it as a zero-sum game. If women win, men must lose, right? Wrong. In the essay We Should All Be Feminists, Adichie argues that gender as it functions today is a grave injustice to everyone. She’s right. It prescribes how we should be, rather than recognizing who we actually are.
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Think about the "man box." We tell boys they can’t cry or show vulnerability. That’s a feminist issue. We tell girls they need to be "likable" above being competent. That’s a feminist issue. When we say we are all feminist, we’re essentially saying that we’re tired of the scripts. We want a world where your biology isn't your destiny.
It isn't just a "woman's thing." According to a 2020 Pew Research Center study, roughly 61% of U.S. women say they describe themselves as feminists. But here’s the kicker: the number of men identifying with the movement is climbing because they’re realizing that traditional masculinity is, frankly, exhausting.
The Beyoncé effect and the commercialization of a movement
Let’s talk about the 2014 VMAs. Beyoncé stands in front of a giant screen flashing the word "FEMINIST." It was a moment. Some critics, like bell hooks, were skeptical, calling it "feminism light." There’s a valid argument there. When a movement becomes a commodity—something you can buy on a $700 t-shirt—does it lose its teeth?
Maybe. But it also moved the needle. It made the word "feminist" less scary for a generation of kids who grew up seeing it as a dirty word. It took it out of the dusty lecture halls and put it on the main stage.
The economics of equality: It’s not just about "fairness"
Business leaders are finally waking up, and it’s not because they all suddenly became altruists. It’s because inequality is expensive. The World Bank has consistently reported that the global economy loses trillions—yes, trillions—because of the lifetime earnings gap between women and men.
When we say we are all feminist, we’re making a business case.
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- Diversity equals profit. Companies with more women in senior leadership roles tend to outperform their less diverse peers.
- The care economy. We’ve ignored unpaid domestic labor for centuries. If women were paid for the "invisible" work they do at home, it would add billions to the GDP.
- Consumer power. Women drive 70-80% of all consumer purchasing through a combination of their buying power and influence.
It’s not just "nice" to include women. It’s stupid not to. Honestly, if you’re running a company in 2026 and you don’t have a feminist lens on your hiring and retention strategies, you’re basically burning money.
Intersectionality: Why it’s not just about one type of woman
Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term "intersectionality" in 1989, and it’s the most important part of this whole "we are all feminist" thing. If your feminism only cares about white, middle-class, cisgender women, it isn't feminism—it’s just a country club.
Black women, trans women, disabled women, and women in the Global South face layers of discrimination that can’t be solved with a "girl boss" mug. A Black woman in the U.S., for instance, typically earns significantly less than a white woman for the same work. You can't fix one without looking at the other. True feminism requires looking at the overlap of race, class, and gender. It's messy and it's uncomfortable, but it's the only way forward.
Men and the "we are all feminist" mindset
I’ve had guys ask me, "Can I really call myself a feminist?"
Yes. Please.
But it’s not about being a "knight in shining armor." It’s about being an ally in the trenches. It means calling out your friends when they say something sexist. It means not expecting a gold star for doing the dishes. It means realizing that when women are empowered, your relationships get better.
Imagine a world where you don’t have to be the sole breadwinner. Imagine a world where you can take six months of paternity leave and your boss doesn't look at you like you have three heads. That’s what a feminist world looks like for men. It’s about freedom from the rigid expectations of "manhood."
The backlash: Why people are still scared
We can't ignore the "Manosphere." In the last few years, we’ve seen a massive surge in creators who profit off of "traditional values" and, frankly, misogyny. They frame feminism as an attack on men.
It’s a powerful narrative because it plays on fear. Change is scary. When you’ve been at the top of the social hierarchy for a few thousand years, equality feels like oppression. But the reality is that the "traditional" world they’re nostalgic for wasn't actually that great for most people. It was a world of stifled potential and quiet desperation.
How to actually live like we are all feminist
So, what do we do? We can’t all be Adichie or Beyoncé. But we can make small, structural changes in our own lives. It starts with how we raise our kids and how we treat our colleagues.
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- Check the domestic balance. If you live with a partner, sit down and map out who does what. Not just the physical chores, but the mental labor. Who remembers the birthdays? Who knows when the milk is about to expire? Balance it out.
- Audit your media. Who are you listening to? If your podcast feed and bookshelf are 90% men, you’re getting a distorted view of the world. Seek out different perspectives.
- Speak up in meetings. If you see a woman being interrupted or her idea being "he-peated" by a man five minutes later, call it out. "I liked what Sarah said earlier, let's go back to her point." It’s a small move that carries huge weight.
- Support women-led businesses. Use your wallet.
- Educate yourself on policy. Feminism isn't just a feeling; it’s policy. Support legislation for paid family leave, affordable childcare, and reproductive healthcare.
The phrase we are all feminist is a commitment. It’s an acknowledgment that the world is currently lopsided and that we all have a role in straightening it out. It’s not about perfection. It’s about the messy, daily work of trying to be a bit more fair to the people around us.
The goal isn't just to talk about it. The goal is to reach a point where we don't have to say it anymore because the equality is just built into the foundation of how we live. Until then, keep saying it. Keep wearing the shirts if you want. But more importantly, keep doing the work.
Real-world impact you can see right now
Look at Iceland. They’ve consistently ranked at the top of the World Economic Forum's gender gap report. Why? Because they have actual laws, like the Equal Pay Certification, which requires companies to prove they pay fairly. They have robust parental leave that encourages both parents to stay home.
They’ve proven that when you treat we are all feminist as a policy directive rather than a suggestion, society thrives. Their economy is stable, their people are happier, and their kids grow up seeing gender as a non-issue. It’s possible. We just have to choose it.
Next time you hear someone scoff at the word, don't get defensive. Just ask them if they believe people should be able to choose their own path regardless of their gender. If they say yes, tell them they’re a feminist. They might be surprised, but they’ll also be right.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Review your workplace's pay transparency. If your company doesn't share salary ranges, ask why.
- Divide the "Mental Load" tonight. Use a tool like the Fair Play cards to visualize the invisible work in your household.
- Read beyond the basics. Pick up Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall to understand how hunger, housing, and poverty are also feminist issues.
- Mentorship. If you are in a position of power, mentor someone who doesn't look like you.
The future isn't female; the future is equal. And that’s a win for everyone.