I really found that today’s class discussion raised some really important questions and that the presentation on the Self-Defense Class answered many of the questions posed by the first presentation on the Emory Women’s Center. The first presentation raised a class discussion that posed two arguments or dilemmas. Why isn’t the Women’s Studies department called the Equality Studies department? Also, why isn’t the Women’s Center called the Equality Center? I am going to take my best shot at answering those two questions.
In order to do, the first reading that comes to mind, is The Invisible Knapsack, White Privilege. In our society, the white male has been given this privilege that he is unaware of in many instances and it is more or less a way of society. That is why I think it is crucial that we have a Women’s Studies department and a Women’s Center. I am all for equality, but to make a Equality Studies department, or a Male studies department, would just be like re-reading much of history in a way that we have been taught all of our lives. I feel that this class has really opened up my eyes to the once invisible privilege given to white males that is now very apparent to me. Also, another reason that Emory needs a Women’s Center is because women’s need a place. Yes, women have risen greatly in society over the decades, but there is still a male superiority that remains in our society. That Center will give women a safe haven, and a place that they have worked for. Men have had so many places available to them throughout history and I think it is time for women to have a place they can call their own.
The second presentation in class today, on the PE self-defense class really reinforced that fact that a Women’s Center is needed. I learned today that this class is taught from a view that males are superior, which is a view I have mentioned before. That fact that a handout describes serving food and beverages to resolve a disagreement is just comical to me. When learning a punch in class today we starting talking about when we as women do not feel safe or threatened. It was interesting to hear that other girls look under their cars at night before unlocking their doors, whereas none of the boys in the class claimed to perform such an act. That is one such example why a Center for Women is needed. There is still a difference between men and women in society today, and while people promote equality, people also need to realize that there is a physical inequality in many instances between males and females. The Center for Women can be a place for discussion about those topics and so much more.
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I agree that the Women’s Center should remain a place that specifically serves women’s needs since much of the world remains dominated by men. However, while the Women’s Center is promoting the empowerment of women through several methods and states that its programs are relevant to everyone, I think the center couId achieve more of its goals if it targeted the male population. It is important that we communicate with men so that we make them aware of their invisible privileges. But how can we do that if men feel excluded or unable to participate in feminist activities whose purpose is to raise awareness of the inequality between men and women? Both Neelaj and Dan expressed exclusion from the Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex program, yet the event could have been a wonderful opportunity to inform guys about topics that could benefit both men and women. For example, we talked about how Guardisil is targeted at women even though men can use the vaccination too. If guys began to demand the vaccine then this would also help fight the spread of the diseases that can cause cervical cancer. Another place where guys could have been included was in the discussion of birth control. A good portion of the program discussed birth control for women, but it could have been more balanced if they had also provided information on the research being done to create male birth control, which could be available in the future. I can understand how this idea of including more things for guys or creating more of a balance in discussion of both female and male issues might conflict with the Center for Women’s purpose. With said, I would then support the creation of an Equality Center or Equality department that would be separate from the Women’s Center. The name is gender and racially neutral which would hopefully remove any stigmas that the classes would soley cater to one particular sex or race. Thus, it would be more inviting for all students to participate in.
I was really surprised and disappointed to learn how gender biased the teaching is for the women’s martial arts class and, yes, it does prove how much we need for the Women’s Center. It also proves how much men need to be educated about women’s issues.This is where the Women’s Center or some other kind of program needs to start including men into their equation for a solution to inequality. In the situation with the martial arts instructor, I don’t think he is aware of how simplistic his approach is toward the abuse of women especially when he says if a woman is hit once she is a victim, but when she is hit twice she is a volunteer. If we do not inform him and stop the spread of such ideas that it is a woman’s fault for staying in an abusive relationship, then he will continue to teach from a male perspective. So again,I feel that providing information that is focused on the male population is vital for the empowerment of women.
"Also, another reason that Emory needs a Women’s Center is because women’s need a place. Yes, women have risen greatly in society over the decades, but there is still a male superiority that remains in our society. That Center will give women a safe haven, and a place that they have worked for. Men have had so many places available to them throughout history and I think it is time for women to have a place they can call their own."
I disagree. Because men have been privileged and regarded as superior, we will combat the issue by creating a Center for Women? We will combat the issue by separating the two sexes...putting up a great divide and hoping they will balance each other out? Male superiority throughout history is wrong, but so is creating a place for women they can call their own. Two wrongs don't make a right.
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