Actress Lena Dunham, best known for her role in the television show “Girls,” was recently quoted stating, “Women saying ‘I’m not a feminist’ is my greatest pet peeve. Do you believe that women should be paid the same for doing the same jobs? Do you believe that women should be allowed to leave the house? Do you think that women and men both deserve equal rights? Great, then you’re a feminist.”
Feminism may not be as publicly supported by its advocates as it was during women’s suffrage or the movement in the 1960’s, but it is still found in the minds and souls of those who believe in gender equality.
Why are we hesitant to use the “f” word? Possibly because of the lack of understanding from others on what the term truly stands for. Or maybe, we are the ones who don’t know what the word represents.
Just because you are a woman who likes men or a man who likes women, this does not mean you can’t be a feminist. Feminism is not anti-men, it’s anti-inequality.
I have noticed that many would not proclaim the title of feminist, nor would want the attachment to title believe in the values of feminism, myself included.
When I hear the term feminism, I usually imagine a group of women that follow men’s personal grooming techniques, holding posters inscribed “Support the radical notion that women are people,” or “Not your bitch.” So where are the the believers in the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes?
That is exactly what feminism is, according to Webster’s dictionary. Or in layman’s terms, a woman receiving the same opportunities for risk and success as men.
Men have been accepted as presidents, scientists and business owners for generations. Now, women can be found sitting amongst men in NMU’s classrooms, preparing to take on the same roles and responsibilities in their future careers as their classmates.
Women are given no greater challenges or special privileges, providing an equal opportunity for an education to use beyond the classroom. This is what I view as feminism taking place.
This can transition to men and women sitting next to each other at a board meeting, or even participating in a meeting where a woman is at the head of the table, leading the team. But as I make this point I must remind you that feminism stands for equality, not superiority for women.
NMU senior Kate Pearce, communications major and womens president of Northern Spokes, said that in male dominated sports, such as mountain biking, there’s always pressure to keep up with the boys.
“’You ride like a girl’ inherently has some sort of negative connotation, when I feel like as women that phrase shouldn’t hold anything negative towards us. There’s nothing wrong with riding, running, throwing or whatever like a girl, and should be something we embrace and get excited about.”
As time has passed, the amount of radical feminism publically displayed has diminished while the push quietly continues. Women are now found taking on powerful, dominant roles to lead by example.
Katerina Klawes, president of ASNMU, is just one example of women taking roles on campus to show their equality.From Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo, to renowned author JK Rowling, powerful women are becoming some of the most influential figures on our society.
Walking in and out of any building where men and women are found holding doors open for each other without a second thought or students participating on co-ed intramural sports teams are simple yet common displays of feminism on campus, and these things are seen each day by faculty and students.
This campus stands strong in many respects, and gender equality is one thing I’m proud that our campus upholds.