When I first started writing for this column, I didn’t know what to expect. In a school so focused on technology and innovation and all that, would anyone even be interested in a female-centric column? Six articles later, I definitely can say that the response to this column has been all sorts of mind-blowing. I’ve gotten Facebook messages from complete strangers, guys and girls alike, telling me how much they like to read the weekly updates and enjoy the content. The fact that a column so uniquely focused on women’s issues can generate so much traction at a predominantly male school (hello, ratio!) is, in its own way, a success of its own. And that’s a wonderful, wonderful thing.
The first article I ever wrote, “Why B*tches Get Stuff Done,” got a phenomenal response online. The articles that followed on femininity, the confidence gap, slutty Halloween costumes, and Justin Trudeau’s gender balanced cabinet have all also made marks in their own right. (If you missed any of these, just catch up on thestute.com!)
But I’ll also be perfectly honest and say: it’s not been all sunshine and compliments. I’ve gotten some negative feedback, too. Some people think I’m too aggressive. Others argue that the issues I talk about don’t exist anymore. The fight for equality is over, they say, and discrimination against women no longer exists.
There’s a lot to unpack there, and I understand where the frustration comes from, but let’s make one thing clear: when I talk about feminine issues, I’m not whining or complaining. There may be injustices, but the world is a changing place, and yes, a lot of it is for the better. As a female minority at a STEM school, I’m happy to say that I’ve received mostly encouragement from my male peers here. But there’s no denying that certain disadvantages for women still persist, and the situation, while it’s certainly getting better, is far from perfect. The idea that women’s struggles are over is just as ludicrous as saying that things are all bad for women. Turning a blind eye to the realities of the world and the way they affect both men and women isn’t right. Just because it is not your reality doesn’t mean that it isn’t someone else’s reality.
I cannot claim to be the perfect spokesperson for all things feminist, nor can I say that I fully understand the varied experiences that guys and girls alike go through. It’s tough to meet some expectations. But I want to make clear that I’m trying my best. And being pro-women isn’t in any way, shape, or form, being anti-men (contrary to what some overzealous “feminists” will tell you). I know that I won’t be silenced when talking about women’s issues, even if it makes some people uncomfortable. But I’ll also try to be also sensitive and open-minded as possible, and I want my readers to call me out if they think something’s wrong.
Next semester’s article lineup looks promising. To tease a little, there’re articles dealing with everything from how to deal with “The Ratio” (yes, you read that right), a mini-series meant to tackle the F-word (feminism), to some purely satirical pieces. It’s going to be a really exciting semester. But most importantly, I want to open it up to you guys, the readers. What do you want to hear? What do you want to see talked about? I want to know! Leave feedback on the articles online, or email me at nrana1@stevens.edu.
Until next semester, keep being bad feminist bitches, and don’t let anyone silence you. What you have to say matters. Treat everyone with respect and dignity, and keep doing great things.
