We are in an age that is considered by some to be a second Renaissance. Advancements in technology, the arts, and science, among progressions in other fields, are many, and Generation Y has a knack for bringing about radical social change.
Feminism, the newly revamped and widespread movement for gender equality, is quickly evolving to represent a more diverse demographic. A new type of feminist is emerging from several different platforms, like Emma Watson’s He for She campaign, and Bernie Sanders’s intersectional presidential campaign. Suddenly we’re seeing a rise in men who are willing to take up arms for women's rights.
We spoke with one of them, Baruch College’s own James Waldo, a freshman and avid feminist:
When did you start calling yourself a feminist?
I started identifying as a feminist at the end of high school, probably in the last few months of the ninth grade. After being around women more, and maturing, you become more aware of what’s right and what’s wrong. I remember thinking, “This isn’t right, it needs to change.”
Why do you self-identify as a feminist?
I realized, at the time mentioned before, that being a woman in the United States, or anywhere in the world, puts you at a disadvantage. As someone (a POC) who has been oppressed and has lacked equality, I can self-identify with the victims of inequality, in this case women.
Have you ever been criticized by other guys for holding these views?
Yes, all the time. I’ve been told it’s “not my battle to fight,” that they align with "meninist" views, or that gender inequality “doesn’t exist.” One time, actually, there was this guy who claimed that “women should stay home with the kids,” “not work,” and “that’s why they get paid less.”
I assume you’re pro-choice. Can you elaborate on this subject?
Of course, I’m pro-choice. I believe that everyone should have the right to decide what happens with their body. If a woman doesn’t want to carry a child, she shouldn’t have to.
You mentioned meninism before. Is it, or is it not, the most ridiculous concept you’ve heard of so far?
They’re kind of like the KKK of our time. It’s essentially a group of stupid dudes gathering together to complain about another group of people gaining rights.
Earlier today we were discussing the inevitable difficulties of being a woman. What do you think can be done about the social pressure on women and young girls to look “perfect?”
We need to stop determining a woman’s value by how attractive they are to men. Her worth should be based on her insights, perspectives, intelligence, personality, etc. If this could be achieved, the self-esteem issues that are common among females would for sure decline.
In which ways can feminism help men, too?
It helps men in the prison system (rape, gender-based incarceration), men who have been sexually assaulted, men who want (and need) to take paternity leave, and men who have the lower hand in custody battles, amongst men in other situations. Feminism is the belief in equality between women and men, so it’s not just women benefiting.
