Who Needs Feminism?

Identify yourself as a feminist today and many people will immediately assume you are man-hating, bra-burning, whiny liberal. Perhaps a certain charming radio talk show host will label you as a “Feminazi” or “slut.” Even among more moderate crowds, feminism is still seen as too radical, too uncomfortable, or simply unnecessary. Feminism is both misunderstood and denigrated regularly right here on Duke’s campus. We, the 16 women of Professor Rachel Seidman’s course on Women in the Public Sphere, have decided to fight back against these popular misconceptions surrounding the feminist movement. Our class was disturbed by what we perceive to be an overwhelmingly widespread belief among students that today’s society no longer needs feminism. In order to change this perception on campus, we have launched a PR campaign for feminism. We aim to challenge existing stereotypes surrounding feminists and assert the importance of feminism today. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-30785171-2']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

[whoneedsfeminism]

I need feminism because I am not allowed to go on late night runs alone!

[whoneedsfeminism]

I need feminism because one of my co-workers thought I was a butch lesbian because I liked to weight lift, I have short hair, I act authoritative, and professional, I have a deep voice, and I don’t ‘talk like a girl’ (whatever that means…).

Why does weight lifting make me a lesbian?

Why can’t a straight girl or non-butch lesbian be authoritative?

I can’t help the way my voice is. 

BTW I’m straight but if I was a lesbian my preferences and the way I am doesn’t give you a right to stereotype me.

[whoneedsfeminism]

I need feminism because when I'm talking about it to my friends, I shouldn't have to explain myself to the people who say feminsim is wrong and that I'm sexist because "I don't support equality."

[whoneedsfeminism]

I need feminism because people are telling me: "You are not a >>real woman<< because you're not wearing sexy clothes."

[whoneedsfeminism]

I need feminism because I saw a guy getting kicked in the balls for being rude to a girl and calling her a slut. They all watched it happen, and comforted him. I saw a girl trying to defend herself for being called a slut, but they just laughed and said she was on her period. A guy gets sympathy for being a dick, but a girl gets called out on something she can't even control? Tell me how much we don't need feminism.

[whoneedsfeminism]

I NEED FEMINISM BECAUSE my conservative dad and stepmom shouldn't call me "self-centered" if I want to learn how to cook for myself when I move out and not for my "future husband" :(  >:(  :/

[whoneedsfeminism]

I need Feminism Because I have hair ALL OVER MY BODY and I don't want to feel ASHAMED or SAD for being like this.

[whoneedsfeminism]

I need feminism

Because when I told a friend I was asexual he asked why I even wore makeup and that I was leading guys on by making them think I wanted sex with them

[whoneedsfeminism]

I need feminism because when i told my best friend that my ex raped me, she told her boyfriend like it was her story to get his sympathy and attention.

Now shes dating the guy who raped me.

[whoneedsfeminism]

I NEED FEMINISM... 

•Because, as a 14 year old girl (Or any age at all), I should not be told by my parents that they hope my husband (when or if I get one) beats me for not wanting to clean everyday and for not wanting to become a 24/7 housewife.

•Because my family says I am worthless unless I clean and cook everyday.

•Because my parents say I am not allowed to go to college or university out of town or state because I am a female and I must go to community college so I may come home to cook and clean.

[whoneedsfeminism]

"I need feminism because I had to explain to a 17 year old boy in my guild that pinching a woman’s butt is sexual harassment.

I need feminism because another guild member was asked by his roommates if he was going to rape me because they could hear my voice when I had my headset on. He was almost in tears because he couldn’t understand why they would joke about that.

I need feminism because after nine years with my husband, I still can’t have a functional sexual relationship with him because of the trauma I faced with abusive exes."

[whoneedsfeminism]

I need feminism because i've been out of an emotionally abusive relationship for a year, and i still get told how it must have been my fault. 

[whoneedsfeminism]

I need feminism because women and men still aren't equal. Not because a group of mechanics whistled as I walked past their garage. Not because I feel unsafe walking down a dark path at night. But because more than one customer has told me"you shouldn't be the manager of a decorating trade store, you should work on a make up counter looking pretty." Because I don't receive the same wage or respect as my male colleagues, some of whom have achieved a lot less than me in my career. Because women who decide to earn less than their partner or be house wives shouldn't be frowned upon or questioned why they aren't supporting women by becoming successful in a career. 

#equality #gettingthesameGIVINGthesame 

[whoneedsfeminism]

I need feminism because we're in 2015 and my brother controls how I dress and talk just because he's a man and I'm a woman.

[whoneedsfeminism]

I need FEMINISM because my adviser's only "advice" on my major was; "Are you sure you want to go into engineering?  It's not exactly oriented for females."

[whoneedsfeminism]

I need feminism because I'm tired of being shamed into believing that I wasn't raped.

"He was your boyfriend."

"He was a virgin."

"You both were drinking."

All reasons "friends" said it wasn't rape.

My roommate invited him over EVERY DAY, even after I told him what happened. 

[whoneedsfeminism]

I need feminism because 6 of my close friends (that I know of) have been raped or sexually abused. They all knew the men who did it, but none were reported. 

End the silence - stop blaming the victims - punish the predators!