Katy Perry is a feminist, and she wants the world to know it. However, if someone could tell her what it means that would be great.
The next time you want to align yourself with a philosophy, a principle, or a school of thought, remember to learn what it means before adopting it. Unfortunately for Perry, she heard the world collectively chuckle after she coughed up a grossly inaccurate definition of feminism. Oh, Katy. We still love you.
The “Dark Horse” singer made the unfortunate blunder during an interview with Karl Stefanovic. According to the Times of India , Katy Perry gave an inaccurate definition of the term while chatting with the TV host.
“A feminist? Uh, yeah, actually. I used to not really understand what that word meant, and now that I do, it just means that I love myself as a female and I also love men,” Perry explained.
For the record, Merriam-Webster defines the term “feminism” as “the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.” Alternatively, someone could use the term to describe an “organized activity in support of women’s rights and interests.” In short: Katy was wrong. Very, very wrong.
The Huffington Post points out that this isn’t the first time Perry has discussed the topic of feminism. She used the term during her “Woman of the Year” speech at Billboard’s Women In Music ceremony back in 2012.
“I am not a feminist, but I do believe in the strength of women. I don’t really like to call myself a role model for my fans. I hope that I am an inspiration for them, especially young women. My mantra, especially for the [‘Part Of Me’] film, was: If you believe in yourself, you can be anything,” Katy Perry explained at the time.
Naturally, quite a few people had opinions about Katy Perry and her bungled definition of feminism. You can find some Twitter reactions to her mistake below.
This week Katy Perry made the ultimate mistake: she ummed about feminism. Welcome to pop music’s new marketing ploy http://t.co/1ztQ0PqcCu
— Kat Lister (@Madame_George) March 21, 2014
Katy Perry on feminism: “It just means that I love myself as a female and I also love men.”Kill me.
— Jessica Chasmar (@JessicaChasmar) March 20, 2014
Katy Perry, your music has a good beat and is easy to dance to, but can you keep your yap shut about feminism?
— Susie Meister (@susie_meister) March 18, 2014
Why ask Katy Perry/Lily Allen pop puppets about feminism when everything out their mouths has to be accountable 2 corporation & shareholders
— Melanie (@MelanieMc0151) March 21, 2014
homework assignment for women everywhere: tell 5 young girls that Katy Perry’s definition of feminism is incorrect
— Alyssa Wooldridge (@alyssawool) March 21, 2014
Do you think it’s time someone sat Katy Perry down and discussed feminism with her?
[Image via Bing]