Men and the Women's Movement

In history, Feminism was a concept used for the upbringing of equal opportunity for women. This is still the case today but with a broader definition of equality, as it used now for both men and women. In today’s evolving world, men are seeking equality just as women did and still are, whether it is at home or in the workplace. Many men have become open to the idea that women are held equal to them in many aspects of life, as it should be. Men have and are more supportive to the idea of Feminism today than what has been traditionally the case in the past. For example, men are just as capable as a woman are in taking care of a household, as women are just as capable as men in the work place. This is evident in the increasing percentage of today’s working mothers and stay at home dads.

To add more to this gender role subject, men have been teaching for some time now, and it has become more globally accepted. So why should men stick to only certain topics? Men can teach any subject, including the subject of women’s studies, just as women can teach any topic their hearts desire. I believe that men can bring a fresh perspective to this course and would be just as effective in teaching it as a woman. Many may argue that they couldn’t because they didn’t experience it the way women did, which can be said the same about the newer generation of women who teaches it now and are just as effective. It will also bring more diversity on term “Equality”, as it is dominantly used for just women. I believe that we should expand the term to races and classes as well, but not lose sight of where it started from. But no matter what, Feminism will be a concept that will always be up for interpretation by the individual. As for me, Feminism used to be the word to describe the emancipation of women but is now the term used to describe equality for all (gender, race, class, religion, etc).

As mentioned, I am more than just drawn to the idea that there shouldn’t be a division between genders, class, or race but any other classification that can holds us unequal to one another. The Women's Movement should move from it being just for women to the Movement of Equality for All. We should hold true to what our Founding Fathers once said “that all men are created equal”; even though it wasn’t upheld back then we can still uphold it now. This term “men” shouldn’t be seen as gendered anymore, as we are far more educated now, but as “mankind” itself, as it should’ve been intended for. And mankind knows no color, gender, class or religion, so let’s not turn it into a hierarchal system.

Critique: How is this not a Sport?

Many have argued the issue on whether or not cheerleading should be qualified as a sport. A blog that I came across on Jezebel, written by Chloe, sheds some light on this issue. According to the blog a federal judge in Connecticut ruled that because cheerleading is not a sport, Quinnipiac University was in violation of Title IX rules that require equal funding be awarded to men´s and women´s sports team. And because the University wants to replace women´s volleyball with competitive cheerleading it was in violation of that, since cheerleading is not a sport. The author´s logic behind the argument is good but poorly supported by any evidence. If the author would have given more evidence on this issue instead of just opinion, I believe that it could have been more persuasive. She states that it is a sport because of the talent and competiveness that is required in cheerleading and I concur with her. In my high school we of course had a cheerleading squad, and they like all other sports team had to practice, work hard and compete against other cheerleading squad. This sport requires time and dedication just like other sports do, and like the author states this sport has its injuries risk just like say football and hockey. The author gives a poor argument that just because it has a ¨shitty and sexist¨ history doesn’t make it less of a sport. I don’t think that the uniform should define whether it’s a sport either. In that case, you can cut out gymnastics, volleyball and even track that all require short shorts or showing more skin. Clearly that will be just ridiculous since they are all sports! The authors issue is not a new one that has surfaced, but it is one that has been in debate for many years on whether or not it should be qualified as a sport. The ruling that this University gives would be precedent for future rulings as well. I hope that they rule that it is not violation so that it can spark a revolution with all others who believe that cheerleading is not a sport. I do feel that it is unfortunate that the volleyball team will be cut, but to say that cheerleading is not sport is just ¨flat wrong¨ as the author states.

Allie B. Latimer

Allie B. Latimer is an African American woman who is also known for being a part of the “second wave of feminist pioneers” according to Veteran Feminist of America. One of the significant roles she took in was to seek equal opportunity for woman in the work place. She did this through the founding and development of her organization Federal Employed Women (FEW). According to Women of the Hall, “FEW’s many accomplishments and activities have impacted the federal workplace and contributed to improved working conditions for all.” Her key role in this movement is extremely important because it has set the foundation for woman in the federal workplace today by being the culprit of the creation of many given rights we hold today.


One of the most amazing things about this woman is that not only has she gone through all levels of education but she is also the “first African American and woman to serve as General Counsel of a major federal agency…and attain the GS-18 salary level.” Most responses about her accomplishments have been, for example in an article published in The Chicago Defender in 1973 stated that Latimer “demonstrated professional competence” as well as having “distinguished service to the agency”. An article in the Washington Post writes that GSA is now becoming the lead agency in the upward mobility program for women. This has definitely been a part of a trend of emerging high ranking working woman.


Latimer is still alive today and is still dedicating her life to the agency and many other organizations. She has acquired several awards throughout her life; such prestigious awards include the GSA Administrator’s Exceptional Service Award. She continues to be involved in her community and her church.

Sexist Advertisements

Why is the use of a woman doing something sexual almost always gets consumers interested in a product? Take for example this Burger King Ad, and the position of the woman. She is facing the long burger with her mouth wide open and her red lips standing out compare to her pale white skin. Her eyes wide open as if saying “this is a HUGE burger!” At first you see nothing wrong until you read the wording that Burger King decides to market, “IT’LL BLOW YOUR MIND AWAY”, in a huge font size. Your mind can’t help but to analyze this Ad as perverted. This indexical sign has a different meaning today then what it meant back then. You notice that her mouth is ready not just for a bite, but to stimulate the consumers mind about oral sex and the substitution of the long “SUPER SEVEN INCHER” burger for a male penis. It is almost hard to wrap your head around the idea that BK will even advertise this, but in this generation, this is what attracts consumers. I believe that this Ad is made for a younger audience. When I look at this Ad my mind paints the picture of a few high school guys eating at BK after school talking about how “crunk” they think this Ad is and wanting to purchase the burger for it, as if purchasing it will show their support for oral sex.


We all hear the terms such as “sex sells” when used to market products, but I never thought I will see it advertised in this manner. It is difficult to believe today that the role of a woman can be manipulated for multiple reasons, even sexual in Corporate America. I will hate for my children to think that the role of a women has only changed from being a housewife to a sex icon. Unfortunately I do not believe that advertisements for products such as these will ever stop sending perverted messages for profit. As long as there are people/consumers willing to buy these products, they will continue to support these kind of messages.

Gender in My Culture

I am first generation American, with strong Mexican roots. Being brought up in a Mexican culture has been a rewarding experience (as I have acquired many skills growing up), but most certainly a difficult one as well. I immediately learned where my place was…at home. My culture is a strong believer that women should know how to manage a household, this includes: house chores such as cooking and cleaning, taking care of kids and their husband, etc. Anything outside of this was frowned upon in society. At an early age I was not allowed to play outside with my brother, I was to remain inside being my mother’s little helper. At age 8 I was already sweeping, moping and washing dishes, at age 9 I learned how to make tortillas and at 10yrs old I learned how to wash clothes by hand. These tasks now are a breeze, but when I was younger I remember thinking how badly I just wanted to go out and play soccer with my brother and why I couldn't. Gender norms are importand, they are a fundamental part of our culture. As I grew up, I was often scolded by mother because I wanted to do “manly” things. In middle school and throughout my sophomore year in high school I played sports, until my family (a little more Americanized now) pressured me into finding a job to help put food on the table. Sports along with my organizations were seen as a waste of precious time.

The biggest moment where I definitely realized the implications of a women, was when I decided I was going to college. At that time (I was in high school) I lost the support of both parents. I was heart broken, but now I have learned to live without. I am now about to be a senior and both my parents are barely starting to come around but they still have their criticism about my way of life. A funny example is whenever we have a family events and its right about time for dinner, I usually get scolded for not serving my boyfriend food (who they claim is my husband already). I crack jokes like “God gave him two feet and two hands so he can get it himself", which only turns to more controversy. I think in the end, they have slowly but surely come to realize and accept that I am a woman with strong, independent beliefs, with her own way of thinking. Because I have both cultures instilled in me, I value both hard-work, equality and education (and many others in between), and when I decide to have kids of my own; I will most certaintly instill them with the same values.