Feminism not defined as man bashing

By Sydney Evans - Guest Columnist

I am a feminist. To some, feminism is a dirty word. Defining it is much more difficult than determining what it doesn’t mean. It isn’t man bashing.

 Many men are not given the credit they deserve and are negatively grouped together. I would like to thank those gentlemen who make the world a better place when they act with thought and respect.

 Feminism is not burning your bra in protest. Personally, I’m glad for the extra support Feminism is not tattooing “I hate men” to your forehead or blaming males for every trouble humanity faces. Ladies, give the men a break and acknowledge that there are some really great guys out there.
 
Women are, in many cases, just as responsible. If for no other reason, we have refused to stand up to injustice.

 Feminism, although several different schools of thought exist, is a philosophy that women’s freedom and equality of opportunity should extend to all spheres of life.

Despite the 19th Amendment, affirmative action and women’s educational achievement, women are still falling behind and are not exercising full potential neither politically nor in the workplace.

Even at Winthrop, we do not meet expectations.

In Winthrop’s 125 years, there has been one woman president, even when the university was an all-female institution.

Of the five vice presidents, one is a woman.

Even the Council of Student Leaders, whose constituency is 70 percent female, has had only two women serve as chair since its inception in 2001.

Winthrop does, however, redeem itself once you look at the deans of the five colleges and the heads of other departments.

 Ladies and gentlemen, only we can remedy the circumstances.

The reasons for the disparity in women’s achievement are our own psychological and gender role blockades.

Some men and women cannot visualize or accept women in leadership positions. When we can, they are labeled as “too aggressive”, “not feminine” or “bitch.”

I challenge all who read this article to learn more about the “F” word (feminism) and to work together for the equality and development of each gender by breaking down gender stereotypes and embracing the changing role for women in society.