Feminism is not a poison
In a recent Argonaut opinion article, The Poison of Feminism, columnist Andrew Jenson greatly misconstrued the concepts of feminism and womanhood. According to the article, feminism “has done nothing less than destroy the heart of our nation.” In truth, the fight for equality and equal representation — a concept that our country was founded on — has only strengthened us.
The clear problem with Jenson’s statement is that he claims “feminism is about the hatred of womanhood.” This is not close to the actual definition — the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social and economic equality to men. Having the right to earn the same salaries as men, or to be portrayed as equals in society is not “ridiculous nonsense,” as Jenson puts it. It’s an embarrassment that our nation is still operating without it.
The one thing correctly mentioned in the article, however, is that women do face a burden in their career life for the sheer genetic ability to give birth. An unnecessary burden created by our society which feminism seeks to eradicate.
As for Jenson’s statements on womanhood, they are unbelievably inaccurate. As female university students, we’re not here to receive an excellent education. No, we’re here to get married and enter what Jenson’s refers to as “the sacred institution in which true womanhood is fully realized.” This comment on womanhood is not only incredibly sexist, it is highly ignorant and inappropriate. The true definition of womanhood is unique to every female and cannot be grossly simplified to achieving womanhood through marriage.
The true destructive forces in America are illiterate opinions that work to tear down the individual worth of an entire gender. It’s not “feminism.” It’s uneducated and incorrect definitions of feminism and womanhood that “reflect the shallowness of our generation.”
Katelin Bartles
Philanthropy Chairman
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Misconceptions of feminism
Recently several people, whether public figures or average citizens, males or females, have come out denouncing feminism, creating a new “anti-feminist movement.”
While some of these statements were just made by sexist conservatives, the majority were made due to a false understanding of what feminism is. A lot of people share the opinion that “feminist” or “feminism” holds a negative connotation.
The feminist movement — or Women’s Movement — is an overarching dome in which lies several key events helping the progression of our country such as women’s suffrage — as well as helping to address issues that are still present today like sexual harassment, abortion, domestic violence and equal pay.
“[Women] make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns,” President Barack Obama said in his State Of The Union address earlier this year. “A woman deserves equal pay for equal work … Let’s work together — Congress, the White House and businesses from Wall Street to Main Street — to give every woman the opportunity she deserves.”
If you choose not to identify as a feminist, that’s OK. It’s completely your choice. However, don’t dismiss it if you don’t understand what it truly is, and don’t dismiss it with the thought that it’s a negative thing.
Feminist ideology is not about hating men, it’s not about thinking women are above men and it’s certainly not about wedging a gap between the sexes. Before preaching against something, know what you’re preaching against.
Aaron Bharucha
Moscow, Idaho
Freedom for all opinions
Dear Andrew,
After reading your latest article in the Argonaut via a hate post on Facebook, I just wanted to shoot you a quick note to encourage you. My spidey senses tell me that you are likely receiving a lot of hate mail or at least unfavorable attention. Whether I agree or disagree with your article is not my point. My point is that whatever your opinions are, you deserve the right to express them with the resources you have — whether it be a personal blog, a cardboard sign or article space in a university newspaper.
The right to free speech belongs not only to the majority. Otherwise, what is the point?
Be encouraged. If we don’t protect the voice of the minority, what happens when we ourselves become the minority?