Katheryn+N’s+Final+AmEx+Speech+2016


 * Feminism **

I am a feminist. And until a couple months ago, I would never have labeled myself as one. Feminism has always had a negative connotation in my head because of the way it’s been portrayed to me. I’ve heard people tell me feminism was bad because caring about gender equality is “disturbing” and “obnoxious” and “offensive.” Which, to an extent, I see where these people are coming from. Radical feminists have created this idea that women have been oppressed by men for too long, and now they are creating this movement that women are more powerful and are better than men. And sometimes, this has to be done. I believe that it’s necessary in certain instances to over exaggerate what you want so that the opposing side settles. We live in such an anti-feminist society that if you stand up for what you believe in, men blame it on girls just being emotional, and essentially chalk it up to advocates “being on their periods” and that’s why they're acting so “irrationally.” I want to live in an America where men will listen to women’s issues and take them seriously. Because in reality, feminism is not about women being better than men, feminism means that women should have the same opportunities as men, and be seen as equal. Before I go any further, I’m going to go ahead and talk about a couple of the funniest comments I’ve heard in the very short four months that I consider myself educated enough on feminism to support it… “You’re a feminist? That’s so selfish of you, men have real problems too.” By stating that I support feminism and women empowerment, I am in no way stating that men are any less. Society has told men that they can’t cry, they have to be strong and masculine people, that men have to protect their wives and daughters at all costs, gender stereotypes that are simply not true. In no way am I belittling men. Society has done that already. When I am just stating that women have real issues as well, issues that should not be overlooked. “Wow okay, so I guess that means you’re voting for Hillary?” First of all, I’m not even old enough to vote! And even if I was, I still wouldn’t vote because I just honestly hate both candidates this year. Just because a female has a real shot at office this year does not mean she’s the right person for the job. If I supported Hillary and everything she stands for as presidential candidate, then yeah, I would vote for her. But just because she’s a female does not mean there’s some “moral obligation” to get a woman into the White House, despite what radicals have said. I am going to vote for the best candidate, whether it’s a man or a woman. “That’s good for you, but I’m not going to empower myself by bringing men down. I have more self respect than that.” Feminism and women empowerment is not about diminishing men. It is about equality in all aspects of life. Feminism, as a whole, does not mean we hate all men. All I am saying is that women deserve to be treated as equals to men. Feminism is about gender equality, not female superiority. I think that’s the hardest thing for people to wrap their heads around. I want to live in an America where I have an equal opportunity of getting a job as my male colleague. In 2015, the American Association of University Women conducted a study that concluded that women with an advanced college degree still get paid 74% of what companies are paying men with the same degrees. I do not want to be payed more, or given a higher position because I am a female. I want to get paid by doing my job the best that I can. And if my male colleague worked just as hard and got a promotion, or got a pay raise, or whatever the prize may be, I will accept it. Feminism does not mean that women are better than men, and therefore a woman should be rewarded in the workplace. It means that men and women are seen as equals, and get the same opportunities to succeed. Another common misconception about feminists is that only women can be feminists and support the equality of women. This is completely false. Say I support animal rights and the fair and equal treatment of animals, does that mean I am an animal? No, it means I feel passionate about animal rights and I believe that they should have strong advocates supporting them. The same goes for men supporting feminism. Men should have just as much power to support feminism and not be ridiculed for it. Famous male figures like Daniel Radcliffe, Ryan Gosling, and Prince Harry have openly shared their pro-feminist ideas and gotten shamed for it, which sets a bad precedent for other men who want to support women’s rights. The most famous man in the world and your commonplace suburban dad should have the same voice in standing up for women’s rights if they want to. Especially in a world with an increasing amount of children, fathers should be able to want to make a world for their daughters to grow up in without being called names or being thought less of. I believe that anyone can support feminism, or any other cause for that matter, and be taken seriously. I want to grow old in an America where feminists aren’t shamed for standing up for a cause we believe in. Radical feminists have created a negative connotation of the term, by forming this illusion that women are superior to all men. I want it to be known to the world that all we want is equality after centuries of oppression, not superiority. My sister, my daughters, my friends, should all have the same opportunities as their male counterparts and seen as equal assets to society. I want to grow up in an America where feminism is both respected, and accepted.