The Orbis

Do you think women deserve to be paid the same amount as men for the same work? Should women have the same occupational opportunities as men? Are you happy that women have the right to vote? Are you against oppression of any persons? Do you believe women should be able to wear pants?

If you answered yes to these questions, then, as bell hooks states, "you advocate feminism." I answered yes to all these questions, and I am proud to say I am a feminist.

When I've made this statement, I've had many men, especially at Vanderbilt, look at me in some horrified shock and ask, "Why?" While I am a little disturbed by their shock, I do understand some of their fear about the "f-word."

After all, the media have made feminists look like nothing but a bunch of bra-burning, man-hating women. (By the way, the term "bra-burning" wasn't coined by feminists. And no one ever burned a bra.) No wonder some men mistakenly believe feminism means only worshipping those with vaginas.

While some men's fears regarding feminism are somewhat understandable, how could anyone hate feminists?

Currently, our country has elected more women to the U.S. Senate than ever before. Women have surpassed men in the number of enrolled law school students. It is easy to forget that women didn't have suffrage until the 20th century. Society probably doesn't believe men are worth more than women, but our actions say otherwise.

Women are still paid 76 cents for every dollar men earn. You can hate white supremacists, murderers, corporate criminals and leaders who commit ethnic cleansing. But when has feminism wronged you?

And to those women who cannot stand the "f-word," what is so wrong with a movement that has guaranteed us the right to attend a college like Vanderbilt?

You, women, are taking advantage of the opportunities created by these feminists. In fact, you demand it and expect it. Perhaps being a true feminist means taking an active stance on issues that pertain to women and inequality. Not every woman has to be a feminist. However, if you choose to sit around and wait for these rights and expectations to materialize, then you certainly are not qualified to bash feminism.

Whether you hate it or not, feminists are making women's lives better. I guarantee you won't think twice when taking advantage of the new opportunities and higher wages given to you by feminists.

Looking around our campus and our current environment, many would propose that women are equal to men. That may be so, but we do not represent the countless other women in this world.

Only 10 percent of the entire world population earns a college degree. Not every woman has the opportunity to attain any form of education, much less attend a private university. Women in Afghanistan could not even publicly show their skin until last year. Around the world, women are still being subjected to patriarchal violence.

In Africa, female genital mutilation is still performed on 6,000 girls a day. At most, only one-third of all rape cases are reported in the United States. Women own a scant one percent of the world's assets. To this day, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra does not allow women to join their ensemble. Given this picture, have women achieved equality?

As with any group, feminists don't voice the same opinion on every issue. Some feminists, such as the members of Feminists for Life, are anti-choice. What feminists do agree on is that equality must be achieved on all fronts, including equality between men and women. Does this sound like male-bashing? Until feminists start physically beating men, as is commonly done to women, I think not.

Grant feminism, feminists and those who hold feminist values respect. You have every right not to be a feminist. But if you are a woman, please remember when stating your opinion that you are able to do so because feminists fought to have your voice heard. Feminists have given you the right to disagree.

Happy Women's History Month!

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