Why Society Still Needs Feminism
Because to men, a key is a device to open something. For women, it’s a weapon we hold between our fingers when we’re walking alone at night.
Because the biggest insult for a guy is to be called a “pussy,” a “little bitch” or a “girl.” From here on out, being called a “pussy” is an effing badge of honor.
Because last month, my politics professor asked the class if women should have equal representation in the Supreme Court, and only three out of 42 people raised their hands.
Because rape jokes are still a thing.
Because despite being equally broke college kids, guys are still expected to pay for dates, drinks and flowers.
Because as a legit student group, Campus Fellowship does not allow women to lead anything involving men. Look, I know Eve was dumb about the whole apple and snake thing, but I think we can agree having a vagina does not directly impact your ability to lead a
college organization.
Because it’s assumed that if you are nice to a girl, she owes you sex — therefore, if she turns you down, she’s a bitch who’s put you in the “friend zone.” Sorry, bro, women are not machines you put kindness coins into until sex falls out.
Because only 29 percent of American women identify as feminist, and in the words of author Caitlin Moran, “What part of ‘liberation for women’ is not for you? Is it freedom to vote? The right not to be owned by the man you marry? The campaign for equal pay? Did all that good shit get on your nerves? Or were you just drunk at the time
of the survey?”
Because when people hear the term feminist, they honestly think of women burning bras. Dude, have you ever bought a bra? No one would burn them because they’re freaking
expensive.
Because Rush Limbaugh.
Because we now have a record number of women in the Senate … which is a measly 20 out of 100. Congrats, USA, we’ve gone up to 78th place for women’s political representation, still below China, Rwanda and Iraq.
Because recently I had a discussion with a couple of well-meaning Drake University guys, and they literally could not fathom how catcalling a woman walking down University Avenue is creepy and sexist.
Could. Not. Fathom.
Because on average, the tenured male professors at Drake make more than the tenured female professors.
Because more people on campus complain about chalked statistics regarding sexual assault than complain about the existence of sexual assault. Priorities? Have them.
Because 138 House Republicans voted against the Violence Against Women Act. All 138 felt it shouldn’t provide support for Native women, LGBT people or immigrant women. I’m kind of confused by this, because I thought LGBT people and women of color were also human beings.
Weird, right?
Because a girl was roofied last semester at a local campus bar, and I heard someone say they think she should have been more careful. Being drugged is her fault, not the fault of the person who put drugs in her drink?
Because Chris Brown beat Rihanna so badly she was hospitalized, yet he still has fans and bestselling songs and a tattoo of an abused woman on his neck.
Because out of 7 billion people on the planet, more than 1 billion women will be raped or beaten in their lifetimes. Women and girls have their clitorises cut out, acid thrown on them and broken bottles shoved up them as an act of war. Every second of every day. Every corner of the Earth.
Because the other day, another friend of mine told me she was raped, and I can no longer count on both my hands the number of friends who have told me they’ve been sexually assaulted. Words can’t express how scared I am that I’m getting used to this.
Because a brief survey of reality will tell you that we do not live in a world that values all people equally and that sucks in real, very scary ways. Because you know we live in a sexist world when an awesome thing with the name “feminism” has a weird connotation. Because if I have kids someday, I want my son to be able to have emotions and play dress up, and I want my daughter to climb trees and care more about what’s in her head than what’s on it. Because I don’t want her to carry keys between her fingers at night to
protect herself.
Because feminism is for everybody, and this is your official invitation.
The lilies pete gave me are opening beautifully. #littlethings
RIP Roger Ebert. Your voice will be greatly missed. Thank you for all you have done for Chicago, film lovers and film makers. We are humbled and grateful…
I helped with production and editing with this film (created in 48 hours!)
On Mondays Wearing Hats Is Not Allowed (by MickMcKick)
I was the camerawoman for this short film about this amazing man!
Edward Greenfield (by 1968FILMGROUP)
Last night, I was fortunate enough to attend a music concert at the school where I used to teach. The entire evening showed an immense amount of talent and support amongst the young people who performed. The kindness, support and talent of these young people inspired me to share the following thoughts.
I recently applied for a production pool with the BBC (fingers crossed)! The following is one of the questions they asked:
“The BBC strives to reflect in its programming and staff, the diversity of its audience. Who do you think it under represents and how reflecting on your own life and experience would you change this? – maximum 300 words”
Part of me wanted to turn the question a bit and discuss that most mainstream TV and movie products are made from a “male gaze” (famous media theory by Laura Mulvey) and that the majority of media products are created from the perspective of white, middle-class, straight men. However, I decided that a.) 300 words wouldn’t begin to scratch the surface of that discussion and b.) that approach doesn’t necessarily answer the question. So I decided to look further into what demographic is underrepresented, or misrepresented in the BBC (and more generally the media) and answered the question as below.
After teaching in a secondary comprehensive federation of schools in both New Cross and Downham for 6 years, I’ve had my fair share of interacting with all types of people including staff, students and parents. However, my overall experience of working with young people (11-18 year olds) has been overwhelmingly positive. Sadly, I feel that the media (not necessarily the BBC specifically, but the media in general) still represents young people with cliché stereotypes and negativity.
So perhaps, it is the positive, pro-active, ambitious, determined and hard-working young people who are under represented throughout the media. I was lucky enough to teach many students who worked hard, cared, had empathy and were really looking to further improve their lives to make a difference within society. They are talented, funny, smart, quirky, creative, arty and savvy. These attributes applied to young people across all class barriers, race and sexual orientation.
I then go on to discuss how I would change the misrepresentation of young people in the media (in under 100 words) blah, blah, blah. However, the focus of this entry is not about the BBC application, or the media’s misrepresentation of youth. It’s simply to share how wonderfully positive, hard-working and disciplined young people are. They have stories to tell, music to share, goals they want to achieve. Bravo to the students and teachers who made last night’s concert a success. I feel so grateful I was able be there and share the evening with you.
Makeshift yoga studio. Also doubles as our living room. :)
After driving 3800 miles and seeing friends far and wide, Pete and I have arrived in Wilson, WY where tomorrow I will commence a month-long, 200-hour yoga teacher training course. Am excited? Absolutely. Am I nervous? Definitely. However, the big excitement over the weekend was the realisation that Pete and I will be stationary for one whole month, and can actually put our underwear in a drawer as opposed to rooting around a suitcase for it.
Let the good times roll.
Today Pete and I made it to Temple Square in Salt Lake City. It is the central hub of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or Mormons.)
It was beautiful, warm, kind and comforting. It was also fascinating and like nothing we had ever experienced before. But we both really enjoyed it and were most impressed with the kindness of the strangers we met. True, genuine kindness.
