Wheaton Wire

Issue date: 12/3/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Ellen Goggins ‘12 (From left to right) Alex Demers '10, Romel Antione '09, Interim Dean of Students Jack Kuszaj, Austin Simko '09, Chair and Associate Professor of Philosophy Stephen Mathis, and Associate Professor of Film Studies and English Josh Stenger sit on the feminst men's panel. All men identify either as feminists or advocates of the feminist movement.

Various men of the Wheaton community spoke about their involvement with the feminist movement in a panel discussion on Thursday, Nov. 20. The event was sponsored by the newly formed Gender Studies Club. The six person panel spoke about their introductions to feminism as well as their experiences at Wheaton.

Each panelist described women in their lives, particularly mothers, who helped them understand the concept of gender equality. There was a unanimous sentiment of gratitude for being shown that everyone should be treated equally.

Women's Studies Major Romel Antoine '09 said, "My grandmother is 62 and she is a construction worker in Boston." To him, the real importance of the meeting was the acceptance that "all of us in some ways are in a position of power, all of us are in a position of privilege," and the question each person should ask is, "How do we use that power to change the world?"

Co-President of The Gender Studies Club Alex Demers '10 said that as a youth he was "blessed to live in ignorance" of discrimination against women. He then "strongly" recommended "that every man take a women's studies course."

Associate Professor of Film Studies and English Josh Stenger highlighted what he felt were some of the continuing problems with gender equality on campus. "Some men come here with a feeling that they can speak out more than women even though they are outnumbered," he said, and that in some respects, "The minority has the majority of influence."

Interim Dean of Students Jack Kuszaj has a unique perspective because he began working at Wheaton right before it went coed. He said that some of the women were mad about the change, especially alums who had been giving to an all woman institution, but that most people eventually became assimilated.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools