Feminist Newsletter GR Serve Day - May 28, 2015 GR Feminist Club: Women in Nerd Who We Are & What We Do Culture By Maddy Broderick and Clara Levy around the world. This past year, we By Maddy Broderick As future Feminist Club raised money for several organization, ¨Nerd Culture” has never presidents, this club has meant a lot to one being the Survivors of Acid Trust been more mainstream than today. us over the past 3 years. Feminist Club International, which raises money for When comic books, video games, is dedicated not only to the discussion women who are victims of acid attacks. and movies with ¨nerdy” themes first and education of Feminist ideas, We also had a toiletries drive to benefit came out, they never had the reach that intersectionality, and sexism around the Safe House Shelter in Bloomfield they do now. Between ComicCons in the world, but has also become a safe for victims of domestic abuse, and last San Diego, New York, and Toronto, space for anyone to come and express year we ran a clothing drive for Oasis Star Trek conventions, and the rise in themselves and their ideas, regardless Women’s Shelter in Paterson. We hope popularity of cosplay, nerd culture has of gender identity or sexuality. to extend our outreach over the next never been less, well, nerdy. The stigma We do important work. few years, finding more charities and around nerd culture has almost entirely Feminist Club works hard to reach out causes, and hopefully getting more alleviated. Nerd culture and pop culture to all students in the school, because students involved. have become virtually intertwined. Feminism is for everyone. The door Feminist club is all about This has lead to more people becoming is open every Thursday beginning at creation, education, and change. We interested in this culture. However, it 3 in Room 225, and all students are create projects (and sometimes crafts!), has also lead to the shutting out of a welcome to come and talk with us. we educate others and ourselves on group of people: women. We share movie clips, poems, songs, issues going on in the world, and we Women are constantly and pictures of Joe Biden on occasion. try to make change happen in and out questioned when it comes to their We talk about not only sexism, but its of our community. I strongly encourage love of all things nerdy, they accused intersections with race, class, sexuality, anyone interested to stop in on a of being ¨fake geek girls¨ who are just gender identity, and how it affects us meeting next year and see what it’s all into nerd culture for the attention. Girls and the world we live in. about, because Feminism really is for in comic book stores are constantly Outside of discussions, we also everyone. questioned, asking if they just came for work to help women affected by sexism their boyfriend, brother, or other male figure, and constantly being quizzed on their knowledge. How many times have you heard someone ask a girl ¨You like this thing? Ok, name all these facts about this thing” t o prove that they are ¨real fans¨. Why do we as society insist on girls proving themselves constantly and have to turn to men for validation to say ¨Ok, you can be part of this¨. Girls and women should not have to be subjected to constant judgement and testing when they walk into a store or a convention. With the popularization of cosplay (that is, dressing up like a character from a movie/book/comic/ “I need Feminism because I want to live in a world where “like a girl” is a compliment” Photo by Olivia Broderick (Continued on Page 3) Feminism and Music By Julia Sterling Hole is an dissolved later on, they paved the way Many people think that band from the ‘90s that explicitly talked for women in rock (Allmusic.com). feminism is a niche culture, but this is about feminist ideas and issues like Joan Jett, who became a solo artist untrue. Many famous people, including body image and sexual exploitation, after the breakup of the Runaways, many musicians, have declared and is often considered as part of the is a self-declared feminist. She has themselves as feminists, including movement (MTV.com). discussed the lack of women in rock Taylor Swift, Wanda Sykes, Laverne The Riot Grrrl movement is a feminist and bias against women in the rock Cox, Tina Fey, Nicki Minaj, Amy movement that emerged from the world, and in her Rock and Roll Hall Poehler, Kurt Cobain, Emma Watson, American alternative and punk music of Fame acceptance speech stated that Beyonce, Joan Jett, and Courtney scenes in the ‘90s and the third-wave “[rock and roll] is a meaningful way to Love. Now, here’s some music to help feminist movement. It started with the express dissent, upset the status quo, you with your moral law. formation of female-fronted stir up revolution, and fight for human One example of a mainstream bands such as , Heavens rights”. Jett’s music throughout her feminist song is one called “None of to Betsy, L7, Babes in Toyland, and career has contained feminist themes in Your Business” by the rap duo - Bratmobile. These bands confronted the lyrics. N-. “None of Your Business” sexism head-on and addressed other Music, especially rock, discusses double-standards, shaming issues such as sexuality, racism, and continues to play a role in the feminist women for their sexuality, and judging patriarchy (British Library). Though it movement. Feminist music encourages people. Salt-N-Pepa ask, “Who are was mostly an underground movement, good attitudes towards women, and is you to judge?” and say, “If I wanna Riot Grrrl is widespread, with branches very important to the movement. take a guy home with me tonight/it’s of Riot Grrrls still in existence all over none of your business.” (AZ Lyrics). the world. Women are constantly shamed for The Riot Grrrl movement Our Feminist being comfortable with their sexuality, claim Joan Jett as an inspiration. Joan but Salt-N-Pepa say that a woman’s Jett, a rock star, is a female pioneer sexuality is her own business and in the male-dominated world of rock Club Playlist no one else’s, which is absolutely a music, and was the first female artist feminist attitude. In more recent years, to own and control a record company. By Julia Sterling and Nina Singer Beyonce has become a poster child for In the 1970s, Joan Jett was playing popular feminist music. In her song guitar in an all-female band called the • Run the World (Girls) - Beyonce “Flawless” (featuring Chimamanda Runaways. The Runaways were ahead • Bad Reputation - Joan Jett Ngozi Adichie), she defines a feminist of their time, but unfortunately were • None of Your Business - Salt N as “the person who believes in the dismissed by audiences because of Pepa social, political, and economic equality their youth and because of their gender. • Run Fast - of the sexes”, which is undoubtedly a The Runaways sang about rebelling, • You Don’t Own Me - Lesley Gore feminist attitude (AZ Lyrics). Her song sex, and partying (Biography.com), • Secrets - Mary Lambert “Run the World (Girls)” is a female- which was completely unheard of at the • Celebrity Skin- Hole empowering anthem which “goes out time for girls, and was unfortunately • Cherry Bomb - the Runaways to all the women getting it in”, and is a considered too unsettling by many • Handsome and Gretel - Babes in steadfast example of feminist music. Americans. Though the Runaways Toyland • Freak Like Me- Halestorm • Keep Your Head Up - Tupac • Husbands - Savages • Modern Girl - Sleater-Kinney • 9 to 5 - Dolly Parton • Asking for It – Hole • Bo$$- Fifth Harmony • Gloria - Patti Smith • Glory - John Legend • Shake It Off - Taylor Swift • Flawless - Beyonce • Criminal - Fiona Apple • Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around - Joan Baez • Unpretty - TLC “I need Feminism because all women are cool” • U.N.I.T.Y - Queen Latifah Photo By Maddy Broderick Feminism in the Classroom By Ms. Balaschak have come a long way, the are still teach. When discussing literature, for Classrooms are an important not as active in class discussion as example, English teachers can not only part of a democratic society, one that their male counterparts. The article choose to include content by writers fosters empowerment of a diverse set “Gender Gaps in Achievement and from diverse backgrounds, but they of voices and ideas. The classroom Participation in Multiple Introductory can also address the perspective of should be a place that provides a safe Biology Classrooms” published in traditionally marginalized characters in place to honor those ideas. Feminists the Fall 2014 edition of Life Sciences stories. Though the English curriculum have long looked at education as a Education states that, “...although is comprised of mostly male authors, means of preparing all students to females on average represent 60% English teachers can still choose to participate equally in society. Feminists of the students in these courses, their honor the perspectives of female look at several factors to ensure that all voices make up less than 40% of those characters like Viola in Twelfth Night, genders are supported and encouraged heard responding to instructor-posed Curley’s Wife in Of Mice and Men, and in a classroom environment. questions to the class, one of the most Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible. Teachers need to make sure all common ways of engaging students in For educators and students, students’ voices are honored, and that large lectures” (Eddy). This research feminism is not a thing of the past, and any behavior that works to exclude an highlights the need for instructors to it’s not just about the needs of women. equal exchange of participation of ideas encourage everyone to speak up in a The goal of feminism in education is is addressed by the teacher. More and classroom setting. to eliminate bias in the classroom and more women have begun to participate Teachers can also empower foster greater democracy and equality in traditionally male professions, like students by including a variety of for all. science and engineering. However, experiences in the content they research shows that, even though girls Women in Nerd Culture (Continued from p. 1)

TV show, usually for a convention), a specific breed of person, known as ¨cosplay creep¨ have crawled into the mainstream. These ¨cosplay creeps¨ are known to go up to women at conventions who are in costume,touch them, ask them sexual questions, and take pictures of them (and usually post “I need Feminism because I have a daughter and a son!” them on the internet for the purpose of Photo By Maddy Broderick commenting on their looks) without in video games than women? A lot of an exclusive boys club, we should be the women’s consent. Some of these video games also have misogynistic extending a welcoming hand, because, people have youtube channels, where undertones, where raping, beating, nerd culture (and Feminism!) is for they post videos featuring them and killing women is part of the ¨fun¨. everyone. touching the women and commenting Women’s portrayal in video games is on their bodies. These videos are met generally degrading, and the problem with some criticism, but if you read is, when women (like Anita Sarkeesian) the comments section, most people speak out against this, they are met with Feminist Games: talk about how funny these guys are violent threats and constant harassment. Dragonage and how girls wearing more revealing Nerd culture has been a safe costumes deserve any unsolicited space and was invented for the people Beyond Good and Evil attention that they get. who didn’t fit in anywhere else, so why Gone Home 45% of video game players are we shutting out half the population? Metroid identify as women, so why is it that Nerd culture is a valuable part of pop Left Behind there are more non-human protagonists culture, and instead of trying to keep it Portal Transitor The Funnies Collected by Wynne Zalewski and Maddy Broderick

What do you call a Blonde who flies a plane? A pilot

Three women walk into a bar and say “Hooray, we’ve colonized a male dominated joke format!”

A feminist woman walks into a bar...only to realize that it’s been set arbitrarily high.

“I need Feminism because women are strong!” Yo Mama is so poor, she makes Photo by Olivia Broderick only 78% of what a man makes! Women in Film What do you call people who By Clara Levy make “women in the kitchen” Seeing the outrageous amount of coverage female film stars get from the jokes? Single press, you could assume that women are high up in the ranks of the film industry. This, however, isn’t the case. Out of the hundreds of Academy Award director Notable Women in the Film nominations that have been given out during the past 87 years, only four women Industry: have ever been chosen. And of those, only Kathryn Bigelow actually took home an Oscar, which was for her 2008 film The Hurt Locker. This is not because men Female Directors to Watch: happen to always make better movies than women, but because by default female -Ava Duvernay (Selma) directors are overlooked by their peers in the film industry. While women have -Sofia Coppola(Lost in Translation) had great success acting in movies, and have done incredible work in areas like -Angelina Jolie (Unbroken) set design, editing, and cinematography—none of which are easy tasks—only -Jodi Foster (House of Cards, a number of them have been able to obtain leadership roles as directors, and of Orange is the New Black) those only one was rewarded with the industry’s top prize. Even the fictional female characters on screen are marginalized by this Female Film Editors: -Thelma Schoonmaker- editor for industry. From 2007 to 2012, only 30.8% of speaking characters in the top 500 Martin Scorsese (Goodfellas, The films were women. At the same time, 26.2% of the women were partially naked, Departed) as opposed to the 9.4% of the men. More often than not, female characters are -Sally Menke-editor for Quentin Tar- shown as two-dimensional stereotypes—they’re shown as ditzy, damsels in antino (Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs) distress, manic pixie dream girls*, or overly promiscuous. Even when they do take on the tough, typically male roles, they do so in skimpy, sexualized outfits. Female Cinematographers: This inequality even exists in children’s films. Film studies show that from 1990 -Ellen Kuras (Eternal Sunshine of the to 2005, fewer than 28% of speaking roles in G-rated films (both live-action and Spotless Mind*) animated) were held by women. *A female character whose only role is None of this is because women aren’t interested enough in movies to to “save” the wayward male protagonist speak out about this. Half of the movie tickets sold each year in the US are sold to women. Even so, their opinions and voices are still not heard.

The Bechdel Test* 1. Are there at least two women? 2. Do they talk to eachother? 3. About something other than a man? *Not every movie needs to pass the Bechdel test! However, especially in childrens’ media, representation is important. LGBTQA+ Alphabet Soup By Nina Singer Transgender: Someone who identifies as a different gender As feminists, it’s important to understand people’s than the one the were assigned at birth. gender identities and sexual/romantic orientations because Sexual/Romantic Orientations in order to support people for who they are, we need to Every person has a sexual and romantic orientation, and understand them. Here are just some of the gender identities they do NOT have to match. A sexual orientation describes and sexual/romantic orientations that exist. It may be who a person is sexually attracted to, a romantic orientation hard to understand some of these terms at first, so if you describes who a person is romantically attracted to-- have any questions, do some online research or kindly ask Asexual/Aromantic: Someone who is not sexually/ someone in LGBTQA+ community or GSA to explain. romantically attracted to anyone Gender identities Bisexual/Biromantic: Someone sexually/romantically To understand gender, it is important to understand that attracted to two genders gender is a spectrum, NOT a binary. There are an infinite Demisexual/Demiromantic: Someone who does not number of genders, including boy, girl, and everything experience sexual/romantic attraction unless they have outside or in-between. a strong emotional connection (Anyone of any sexual/ Agender: Someone who identifies as genderless romantic orientations can also identify as this) Bigender: Someone who identifies as two genders Heterosexual/heteroromantic: Someone sexually/ Cisgender: Someone who identifies as the gender they romantically attracted to the opposite gender were assigned at birth. Homosexual/homoromantic: Someone sexually/ Demigender: Someone who identifies mostly as a certain romantically attracted to the same gender gender, but not entirely (Demi-boy/Demi-girl) Pansexual/Panromantic: Someone sexually/romantically Genderfluid: Someone whose identity changes, or is fluid attracted to people without gender being a limiting factor. Genderqueer: An umbrella term for people who identify Questioning: Someone who is unsure of their sexual/ as something other than male or female romantic orientation Ask Me About My Pronouns

By Mia Holtz the idea that gender is determined by physical appearance. As more people are becoming educated about Making your own pronouns clear helps create a positive and genders outside of the binary, it is important to recognize safe environment, and gives less assertive people a chance to that some people may want to be referred to with pronouns speak up too. other than “she/her” and “he/him”. Asking someone which pronouns they prefer is very important because not only does it show respect for their identity, but misgendering someone can induce dysphoria or discomfort. If you aren’t sure of someone’s pronouns, you can always use the gender neutral term, “they/them”. (Don’t worry, it is grammatically correct to use this to refer to one person). Besides gender specific pronouns that are normally assigned to males and females, there are also alternative pronouns that are more ambiguous to gender, such as “ze” and “xe”. Cisgender people who appear traditionally masculine or feminine should also makmale a point of letting people know what their pronouns are, even if they assume that people already know their gender. Although this assumption isn’t made with harmful intent, assuming that your gender is obvious is harmful because it supports “ I need Feminism because the gender binary needs to be destroyed! Photo By Maddy Broderick HERstory of Feminism

By Maddy Broderick ¨The Feminine Mystique¨, and this 2nd wave Feminism Considering that GRHS requires all of its students to (lead by Gloria Steinem) kicked off the sexual revolution take 2 years of United States history, a lot of us know little of the 1960’s and 70’s, beginning with the invention of the bits and snippets of the history of the Feminist movement, birth control pill in 1960 and encouraged women to become but after the final exam, sometimes we forget the rich, independent, and to have their own finances and job outside wonderful history that leads us to modern feminism. the home. Feminism was not very popular in this era, either. Conflicts between genders have existed since we These women were called whiny and needy by those who have, and date back to the 1700s. One of the earliest examples opposed them, and they were discouraged from fighting for of American feminism was when Abigail Adams (wife of their rights, and instead told to get back into their roles in the John Adams) wrote letters advocating for the equality of home. Nevertheless, this Second Wave Feminism made a lot women, because back then, women could not even own of really important strides. property. The Feminist movement really took off in 1848, So where does that leave us? Well, some say that when the first feminist convention took place in Seneca we are in the ¨Gender Revolution¨ and the 3rd wave of Falls, New York. The women that had gathered there wrote Feminism, and I agree. Feminism has taken on a new form, the ¨Declaration of Sentiments¨, advocating for equal rights taking the focus off fighting unfair legislation, and focusing for women. Leaders such as Alice Paul, Susan B Anthony, on changing the culture that sets unrealistic expectations for and Elizabeth Cady Stanton emerged from this convention, gender and keeps women down. Among some, this brand of and began actively fighting for women’s equality. Feminism is just a bunch a “man haters,” but hey, it looks Alice Paul (one of the more radical of the feminist like change isn’t always popular. leaders, well at least for the 19th century), advocated for an The fight for equal rights has to continue. More than Equal Rights Amendment to be added to the Constitution. half of Yemeni girls will become child brides (Human Rights It would read ¨congress can pass no law that discriminates Watch), and women in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to drive based on one gender¨, just like we have one that says or to vote; 1 in 6 women will be raped or sexually assaulted ¨congress can pass no law that discriminates based on race¨. in their lifetime (RAINN), 85% of human trafficking (The ERA has never been passed, however, it was shot down victims are women (Polaris Project), women (on average) in Congress in the 1980’s, and it has not been proposed make about $.23 less than men (Institution of Women’s since.) Feminism was not very popular in this era among Policy Research), and girls around the world are subject to non-Feminists. People feared that women voting would lead the brutal practice of Female Genital Mutilation. Feminism to widespread chaos and a generation of wayward youth has a long, storied past, and a bright future, because although with no mothers to lead the poor children. we have come so far, we have so far left to go. With the passage of the 19th amendment in 1919, (white) women then had the right to vote, (Black women and other Women of color were barred from voting by de facto segregation until the Voting Rights Act of 1965) but the struggle for equality was far from over. The depression was a low point for the Feminist movement, considering that equal rights took a backseat to fixing the massive economic problems that infected the country. During WWII, the Feminist movement made a sort-of comeback, as women began taking the jobs of the men who had left to go fight in the war, but this was temporary, and as the 50’s approached and the men returned, women went back to the home. This lead to a generation of women who felt discontented with their lives in the home, and after working and being independent, knew there was more to life than being dependent on their husbands. This belief is reflected in Betty Friedan’s book

“I need Feminism because too many awesome women in history didn’t have their stories told!” Photo By Clara Levy How To Get Involved: Ideas & Resources By Olivia Broderick work as volunteers. If there is no way In the same way, teach boys that they Feminism is more than a for you to volunteer, then most shelters don’t have to be violent and aggressive discussion or a list of terms; it’s a will have a wishlist of most-needed to be real men. There’s a ton of feminist commitment to helping women and items that can be donated. media out there for children, from girls worldwide achieve equality. For 3. Educate your friends. With television shows with strong female those who are interested and wish to all this newfound knowledge, it can protagonists to books. It’s just a matter help with the cause, there is no shortage be easy to forget that not everyone of exposing kids to these values from of ways to get involved. knows as much about feminism as you a young age. 1. Join a club or organization do. Sometimes people may need help at your school. Many schools will have understanding a certain concept, so some sort of organization dedicated to don’t be shy about explaining things helping women or marginalized groups, to them. Along the same vein, don’t be Get Involved SafeHouse Shelter (Bloomfield): whether it’s a feminist club, a chapter afraid to call out your friends if they of GLI, or a GSA. These clubs can be a say something problematic. You don’t (973) 337-8742 great way to not only discuss feminist have to preach to them or get angry, but issues and broaden your perspective, gently (or humorously) remind them Oasis Shelter (Paterson): but can also provide the opportunity that what they’re saying isn’t cool. (973) 881-8307 to fundraise for various organizations 4. Fundraise for a cause. There or causes. If nothing like this exists at are tons of organizations dedicated Feminist Majority Foundation: your school or in your neighborhood, to helping women: The Malala Feminist.org start one! Foundation, SATI, He For She, etc. 2. Volunteer at a women’s Organize a fundraiser to provide these Unleashed! (New York City): shelter. There are lots of shelters that causes with much-needed money. unleashed.org cater specifically to women, LGBTQ+ 5. Work to empower girls (and youth, or victims of domestic violence. boys!) in your area. Teach young girls Oftentimes these shelters will have to love and value themselves, and that New York Asian Women’s Center: programs for high school students to they can do anything that boys can do. nyawc.org

Sadaqa House (East Orange): Why Celebrities are Afraid to Publically 973 280 9109

Identify as Feminists http://womeninblack.org/ By Jess DeCelie Many young, impressionable fans of celebs see what their idol says about http://www.codepink.org/ feminism and see that as the correct view, but celebrities are often whisked into stardom at an age where they have not had the chance to realize their views or form an opinion. While there is still a widespread misunderstanding of what Feminism means, which is quickly gaining traction among mainstream artists. There are still women saying, “I’m not a Feminist because I love men, and I think the idea of ‘raise women to power, take the men away from the power’ is never going to work out because you need balance.” The current feminist movement has worked hard to make the movement more approachable, because in previous generations people have seen the movement as alienating. And while we have been rebranding the word to become the overarching term for social, political and economic equality of the sexe, there are still people who think that the word is meant to attack men or housewifes. On the contrary, feminism is for everyone. Many celebrities are still afraid that they will offend men or people who continue to believe that feminism is a strong or bad word. “I need Feminism because violence against women is all too real” They see it as a group of angry, complaining women blaming men for the world’s Photo By Maddy Broderick problems. We need celebrities to step up and learn about what they believe in, and to remove the stigma around the word “feminism” and the fight for equality. The Dress Code: A Feminist Stance By Makiya Murphy By definition, what is dress code? Dress code is a set of rules that specify The Staff: the required manner of dress at school, work, resturants, etc. But lately, the limits Celia Buckley to where something is considered “not allowed” or “inappropriate”, especially in Maddy Broderick regard to the female population, has become hazy and in some cases, crossing the Olivia Broderick line. Dress code is a detrimental factor to the progression in the female community. Clara Levy Today in many schools, the dress code had been tightened and strictly Nina Singer enforced, but these clothing bans seem to specifically target women. 13-year- Julia Sterling old Sophie Hasty makes the sophisticated argument that, “not being able to wear Mia Holtz leggings because it’s ‘too distracting for boys’ is giving us the impression we Ms. Balaschak should be guilty for what guys do.” Yoga pants and leggings are banned because Makiya Murphy they distract their male peers from concentrating on learning, which sparked the Wynne Zalewski movement #iammorethanadistraction, arguing that women are more than just a Jess DeCelie distraction within the school environment. Another huge con that dress codes brings is the constant bringing down Special Thanks to: of people for having a body. Dress codes have been known to punish girls for wearing tank tops or “suggestive” clothing. Dress codes around the country also Maddy Granovetter ban female students from wearing tuxes or suits to formal events like prom. Ms. Pollak Ms. Caulfield The Dress Code is a restriction, but it is more than that. The Dress Code Ms. Gist teaches body shame and body policing, and teaches girls that their bodies are not Ms. Balaschak just theirs, they are a distraction. The Dress Code also restricts people’s expression Ms. Zalewski by not allowing them to wear clothes not made for “their gender”, because clothing Ms. Gallo doesn’t have a gender--it’s just clothes! Overall, it is understandable why we need And our presidents Kathryn Prouse dress codes, but the way that society has been enforcing and putting them in place and Olivia Broderick is just unacceptable.

Art by Celia Buckley

Wondering what these photos are? These photos are part of the #WhoNeedsFeminism cam- paign, showing people all over the world telling why they need Feminism. Tweet us your pictures telling us why you need Feminism! “I need Feminism because the body is not an apology” Photo by Olivia Broderick @GRFeministClub Feminism: Not Just For Women By Maddy Broderick that when a man acts in a way that we When we say ¨Feminism is see as feminine, we don’t see him as a for everybody¨, we’re not kidding! man, we see him as weak, as cowardly, Feminism is dedicated to achieving as a ¨wuss¨. Because of this backlash equality of the genders, and the way against the feminine, our culture is one that we can do that is by dismantling of ¨toxic masculinity¨, where men feel the harmful societal structures and like they need to be hyper-aggressive, expectations that make gender equality violent, and out of touch with their impossible, namely, the Patriarchy, emotions in order to be thought of as ¨a which sets gendered expectations that real man¨. oppress women, and standards that As a culture, we need to people must comply to, or risk being recognize that being ¨a real man¨, is disrespected. just being who you want to be, being The social construct that a whole person, and being who you Art by Nina Singer dictates what a certain gender should are. There is no shame in crying or be are called gender roles, and they having feelings, there is no shame in hurt both men and women. Women wearing what you want (yes, boys can Works Cited are expected to be small, soft-spoken, wear dresses, why not? Dresses and http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ar- pretty, and submissive, while men are awesome and comfortable), there is no ticles/PMC4152209/. expected to be tough, aggressive, and shame in the ¨feminine.¨ https://feministbodies.wordpress. athletic. Because of this, women are These societal structures that com/2015/03/16/rebranding-feminism- celebrities-coming-out-as-feminists-and- pushed into being subservient and we have put in place hurt both men why-its-important/ men are pushed into being aggressive and women. Feminism’s mission to http://jezebel.com/the-many-misguided- and ¨macho¨ in order to prove how dismantle the patriarchy in order to reasons-famous-ladies-say-im-not- masculine they are, when really, ¨being help women worldwide would also a-1456405014 a man¨ is being who you want to be. have benefits for men and people of Dockterman, Eliana. “When Enforcing Men are told not to cry or all genders! These rigid structures that School Dress Codes Turns Into Slut Sham- express their feelings because it’s not dictate gender roles are harmful, and in ing.” Time. Time, 25 Mar. 2014. Web. 28 ¨manly¨ to be vulnerable, because we order to abolish them, we have to team May 2015. http://time.com/36997/when- see being weak as being feminine and up and work together to make a society enforcing-school-dress-codes-turns-into- ¨like a woman¨, which men (according where everyone is equal. slut-shaming/ to society) cannot be. We attach so much Duffy, Nick. “Lesbian Student Banned shame to things deemed “feminine,” from Wearing Tuxedo to Prom.”PinkNews. N.p., 6 Apr. 2015. Web. 28 May 2015. http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/04/06/ lesbian-student-banned-from-wearing- tuxedo-to-prom/ https://www.nyfa.edu/film-school-blog/ gender-inequality-in-film/ http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/04/22/ female-stereotypes-persist-in-american- films/13047.html http://seejane.org/wp-content/uploads/ GDIGM_Gender_Stereotypes.pdf https://www.hrw.org/news/2011/12/08/ yemen-child-marriage-spurs-abuse-girls- and-women https://www.rainn.org/get-information/ statistics/sexual-assault-victims https://www.polarisproject.org/ media-center/news-and-press/press- “I need Feminism because if I don’t hear and listen to all voices, I am deaf.” releases/915-report-spotlights-human- Photo by Olivia Broderick trafficking-trends-in-the-us http://www.iwpr.org/initiatives/pay- equity-and-discrimination Feminist Glossary: Understanding the Conversation By Olivia Broderick Non-binary - A term for someone pervasive throughout many countries Body Shaming - The act of making whose gender identity does not fit into and cultures. someone feel ashamed for their body. boy/girl Romantic Orientation - Defines who This can include shaming someone for Objectification - To view a person as a person is romantically attracted to their body’s size, shape, or features. a sexual object, without any agency of Sexual Assault - A sexual act which Cisgender - A term for someone who their own. This makes it much easier one party has not consented to identifies as the gender they were to condone sexual violence against the Sexualization - To make or view assigned at birth person. something as sexual when it is not Consent - The verbal and nonverbal Patriarchy - A social system in which inherently so. For example, breasts agreement to engage in a sexual act. men are given the most power- they are organs intended to feed babies, but Erasure - The erasing of someone’s may run the household, hold the they have been sexualized to the point identity. This may be experienced by majority of government positions, and where it is considered inappropriate for a person of color who is told that they dominate the entertainment industry. a mother to breastfeed in public. are “basically white,” a bisexual person Privilege - As defined by Sexual Orientation - Defines who a who is in a relationship with someone of everydayfeminism.com, privilege is “a person is sexually attracted to the same gender being called a lesbian, set of unearned benefits given to people Toxic Masculinity - A set of or a woman being told it’s “almost not who fit into a specific social group.” expectations for the “ideal man” like she’s a girl” For example, men are often considered that the patriarchy expects men to Feminism - The belief in the social, attractive or successful regardless of comply with. For example, men are political, and economic equality of the whether they fit conventional beauty socialized to be tough and aggressive, sexes standards, whereas women are forced to believe that showing any sort of Gender Dysphoria - A feeling of to conform to a very rigid standard of emotion is weakness, and that any discomfort experienced when one feels beauty. Men are also more likely to sign of femininity makes them “less that their body does not match their be hired in higher-level positions than of a man.” This mentality holds real- gender women. These examples of privilege world consequences, such as devaluing Gender Identity - The gender that are often unnoticeable to most people, male rape victims and degrading single someone identifies as as they are so ingrained in our society fathers or men who are more nurturing. Gender Roles - The tasks, mentalities as “the norm.” Transgender - A term for someone and identities that someone of a certain Rape Culture - A culture in which who does not identify as the gender gender is expected to conform to. For sexual assault is normalized or they were assigned at birth example, men are often expected to be condoned. This is perpetuated through Victim Blaming - The act of blaming the provider for a family while women things such as telling rape jokes (which a victim for their own sexual assault. are expected to be the nurturer. trivialize the struggles of rape victims Often times when a victim comes Infantilization - To treat someone and desensitize people to the topic), forward, they will be blamed for as much younger than they are. In the romanticization of non-consensual “tempting” their assailant with many circles, grown men will be sexual contact in media, teaching men revealing or inappropriate clothing, referred to as “men” but women will that their sexual urges are uncontrollable or told they should have been more be called “girls.” This is not only a and therefore must be acted upon, and responsible than to get drunk. This disrespectful action but can also lead to blaming victims for the actions of their contributes to a rape culture by averting the sexualization of young girls, which attackers. This is a very dangerous blame from the rapist and silencing the is completely inappropriate. mentality and is unfortunately very victim. LGBTQ+ - An acronym that stands for “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Questioning/ Queer” and is used as an umbrella term for people who do not identify as heterosexual/cisgender. Sometimes may be written as “LGBTQIA” which stands for “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Questioning/Queer, Intersex, Asexual.” **NOTE: The word “queer” is sometimes used as a slur and though it may be used by people within the LGBTQ+ community to describe themselves, it is not an appropriate “I need Feminism because the United States still doesn’t have an Equal Rights Ammend- term to use to describe other people ment” Photo By Maddy Broderick without their consent.