Kristen, 25 (left), is originally from Modesto and San Jose, CA, and working on a PhD in public health. She thinks that feminism has been too limited and should definitely include men, that
“if feminism is ever going to work, everyone has to be involved.”Marilisa, 27 (center), from Philly and getting her masters at San Diego State, agrees but adds that “women should be the center of attention.” Emma asks at this point about the expansion of gender labels—that it’s a slippery slope when choosing who gets to be at the forefront of a movement. Marilisa thinks for a second, then says, “Then I guess we need to redefine what it means to be a woman and a man.”
Kristen tells us “there’s always that fear that men will end up dominating the conversation” if they’re included in women’s activism. But Shannon, 25 (right), from Cali and Wisconsin, also in the sociology masters program at San Diego State, points out, “It’s not like the guys that would be involved in feminism would be misogynists.”
--Nona
Discussion Questions:
Question 1
3 comments:
They're assholes? Then try sendahole.com.
Men are definitely part of the equation. The teacher who taught the very first Women's Studies class I ever took was a man, and he was pretty cool.
But I think their ability to dominate the conversation has less to do with them being misogynists, more to do with, that's sort of how society goes.
That doesn't mean they shouldn't be involved, but I agree that women need to be "the center of attention."
Men should definitely be included in the women's movement, even if they're just watching. It's certain things that we know as women that a man won't be able to understand b/c he hasn't been in our shoes. He doesn't know what it feels like to hesitate about going outside or walking or jogging at night b/c you might get raped. For the simple fact that you have a vagina should make you a target for danger? Even if men aren't talking, they need to be listening. And the ones who are talking need to understand their place in the movement. I think generally those in power some times take for granted the information that they know and don't value others. So since most occupations, political offices, etc. are dominated by men, there's this inherent belief that OF COURSE a man would know certain things b/c if women knew or were good at this, wouldn't more women be here? And that's what we have to change. We need to challenge the everyday life events or thoughts that ppl generally take for granted. Women should definitely be in the center of the movement, but still promoting other voices to be heard
Post a Comment