Why Pitt Needs Feminism

The students of the University of Pittsburgh explain why they need feminism, in their own words. Submissions are welcome. Have questions? Ask away! About the Blog

[prochoiceamerica]

Tomorrow, California will vote on a bill that would require crisis pregnancy centers to tell women the truth about their reproductive health options. One politician asked why a lawmaker cared so much about the bill, and her response is PERFECT.

[whypittneedsfeminism]

CWO Elections YouTube Spectacular

So for those of you who need some context, I am on the board of Pitt’s Campus Women’s Organization, and last night we held our elections for the upcoming Fall 2016-Spring 2017 term. I was asked to find some fun activities for everyone to do while the graduating board members counted the votes, so I came up with this list. Here it is, with no context, in no particular order, in all its glory.

watermelon... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClDXLf_EAmM

sail cat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awf45u6zrP0

John Oliver bud light https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjN2BFf-AXs

John Oliver sex ed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0jQz6jqQS0

seals http://psychotomimetic-enigma.tumblr.com/post/141876785357/danzellewashington-a-gay-angry-transman

oprah loves bread https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSOtcyK3hF8

rainbow sponge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_OVxxIvqVw

eagles are turning people into horses https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1-Oep9uNwM

i love cats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTTwcCVajAc

ice http://sadsappysuckr.tumblr.com/post/141283075232/fatgirlopinions-why-do-i-love-this-so-much

EXPERIENCE http://nice-wig-janis.com/post/141174305228/pleasegrow-childservices-me-myself-me

very excited http://longlivecaesar.tumblr.com/post/140355156232

shia surprise https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0u4M6vppCI

peeno noir https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6yttOfIvOw

honey jar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWk9Rjz06jU

cat massage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnZhi5gaX8g

what ARE frogs? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJRKedSUHg4

oven mitt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9L9A1IMTQo

llama (a true classic) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHNczNvOnGc

a little encouragement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ks4gfwi5xc

[peytonfulford]

[h4rv4rd-deactivated20160622]

[profeminist]

Source

[donatellavevo]

[whypittneedsfeminism]

'Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression.' I love this definition, which I first offered more than 10 years ago in my book Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center. I love it because it so clearly states that the movement is not about being anti-male. It makes it clear that the problem is sexism. And that clarity helps us remember that all of us, female and male, have been socialized from birth on to accept sexist thought and action.

bell hooks, Feminism is for Everybody

[whypittneedsfeminism]

Pitt needs feminism because when I’m at a party and I don’t respond much to a guy’s advances, it’s because I’m “tough” and “worth it.” But his advances suddenly become something he needs to apologize for when he sees me in the arms of the male friend who I came to the party for. And the apology, I might add, is for MY FRIEND, not for me. Because obviously I’m just property and any guy can make a claim when I appear unattached. No. I claim myself, you heinous turd. Good day.

[socimages]

Where do negative stereotypes about feminists come from?

By Lisa Wade, PhD

Television evangelist Pat Robertson once described feminism as “a socialist, anti-family, political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians.” His comment is frequently used as a particularly extreme version of the feminist stereotype, but how far are his sentiments from those of the general public?

A more systematic investigation into what people think about feminists found that many people think that feminists are ugly, uptight, angry, aggressive, harsh, strident, demanding, dogmatic, man-hating lesbians… or think other people think they are. Only 26 percent of people say that feminist is a positive term.

This suggests that actual feminists have lost control over their own reputation. It would be counterproductive, after all, for feminists to portray themselves as unlikeable. Negative stereotypes about feminists, instead, are likely spread by anti-feminists.

Anti-suffrage campaign material is one example. The images below tells a story about who the feminist women fighting for suffrage are and what they want. It’s all pre-1920s, but the stereotypes and fears are similar.

Feminists are ugly:

Feminists are manly:

Feminists neglect their natural role as a mother/are uncaring toward children:

They’re angry:

They want to emasculate men and take their role:

They’re mean to their husbands, if they can get married at all:

They don’t want equality with men, they want to dominate them:

Next time you hear that feminists are ugly or hate men — or any number of stereotypes about women who seek equality — remember that this is exactly what anti-feminists have wanted you to think for the last 200 years.

Thanks to Jay Livingston for the tip!

Lisa Wade is a professor of sociology at Occidental College and the co-author of Gender: Ideas, Interactions, Institutions. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

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[whypittneedsfeminism]

I need feminism because going on a date with a guy that I haven’t met before means I have to worry about everything from shaving my legs to “if he pays will he expect me to give him something in return?” and from if he’s going to put something in my drink to being raped or sexually assaulted. I need feminism because going on a date with a guy makes me feel like I need an exit strategy as if I were preparing for a fire.

Anonymous student, Class of 2015

[whypittneedsfeminism]

WE need feminism because people submitting to this blog feel the need to be anonymous.

Corinne Hogge, Class of 2013

[whypittneedsfeminism]

Welcome, new followers!

I've noticed a recent spike in followers, so I thought I'd take a brief moment to say hello to all the new folks as well as thank my older followers for their continued support of the project. Just to reiterate, this blog is not affiliated in any official standing with the University of Pittsburgh, but is a student-run campaign to raise awareness of feminist issues both on-campus and in the city at large. I encourage you to check out the "About the Blog" section for more information and to check out Pitt's own Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies (GSWS) department if you are interested in any of the issues raised by this blog or feminism in general. If taking classes in the department isn't exactly your style/you don't have time, the Campus Women's Organization (CWO) is another excellent way to get involved. Meetings are held every Tuesday at 9pm in room 216 of the Cathedral, and the CWO office is on the 6th floor of the William Pitt Union. Once again, thank you all so much for supporting, promoting, and being a part of this project. Keep the submissions coming!

GSWS website: gsws.pitt.edu 

[whypittneedsfeminism]

I need feminism because a guy saying I should get raped and murdered isn't a response to, "Please stop, I'm not interested"

Anonymous student

[whypittneedsfeminism]

I need feminism because when I tell someone that an older man made an inappropriate comment to me at work, their first reaction should not be to say, "Aw, maybe he's just lonely."

Anonymous student, class of 2017

[whypittneedsfeminism]

I need feminism because it is an indispensable aspect of acting on my faith system. As an Orthodox Christian and a student in the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies certificate program, it is necessary for me to examine my beliefs and actions every day. I have found that, while not everyone who calls themselves Christian and everyone who identifies as feminist feel a sense of community with each other, there is a common strength in the knowledge that each and every living being is valuable. Saint Gregory of Nyssa encouraged people to “loosen every bond of injustice, undo the knots of covenants made by force. Break your bread to the hungry; bring the poor and homeless into your house. When you see the naked, cover them; and despise not your own flesh.” His words are nothing if not a declaration of feminist aims - to help those in need, fight apathy, prioritize self respect, and resist unjust and destructive systems.

Without feminism, I could not understand and fully embrace these necessities of an active Christian life.

[whypittneedsfeminism]

I need feminism because after I reported my sexual assault to the Pitt Police and the Office of Student Conduct, and an officer spoke to him about it, she told me, "Wow, it seems like you two used to be really good friends. I really hope you two can work this out."

Anonymous student, Class of 2016

[whypittneedsfeminism]

Are You A Feminist?

This is the only way to find out.

I don't always agree with everything Buzzfeed has to say, but this quiz is pretty spot-on, in my opinion. It's worth taking a look, if you've got the time.