On Tuesday, hundreds of faculty, staff and students showed support for the recent Feminism is Equality movement by wearing blue shirts printed with the word “FEMINIST” across the chest. Feminism is Equality, organized by a group of 12 Andover Seniors, strives to raise community awareness of gender inequality that, over the years, has deeply ingrained itself in our culture.
The group is working against incredible odds. 78.6 percent of Andover students believe that identifying as a feminist comes with a social stigma, according to this year’s State of the Academy survey.
Feminism is Equality has worked tirelessly to dispel these sentiments, recognizing that the only way to do this is through education. The numerous forums and film screenings they have held are testaments to their faith in a discussion-based model that is informed by facts and statistics.
Because faculty members at Andover are not only our teachers, but also our coaches, house counselors, mentors, friends and role models, Tuesday’s shirts were an empowering show of solidarity for students already part of the feminist movement. It gave students who were previously afraid to express their support the assurance and affirmation needed to take a stand. Without a doubt, the faculty are to be applauded for their courage in supporting these student activists.
And yet, it is important to consider whether the shirts actually furthered the goals of Feminism is Equality. Most opposition to the movement stems from mere confusion. Opponents wonder why such a movement is necessary in a community where the oppression and inequality that females face are hard to see. These subtle yet confining set of social norms are reinforced through upbringing and media exposure that starts well before we were born.
The shirts, while they offered a showing of support, did not properly educate. Besides Head of School John Palfrey’s brief mention that “We do not live in a post-gender world,” there has been a noticeable lack of explanation on a school-wide level. Students were left in the dark as to why people were wearing the shirts. Rumors circulated as students speculated whether teachers are pushing “left-wing agendas” or an “us-versus-them” mentality. This confusion is divisive and alienating.
Because the movement is combating an inherent societal construct of which we may not all be aware, the most effective course of action is education. The only way to convince opponents is to break the issue down and explain its effects on all Andover students, men and women alike. Feminism is Equality has tried to do just that through forums, film screenings, lectures, a website and even a Facebook group. They have used facts and numbers and literature and research to prove their point. These efforts, however, are not required—they can only reach the students who take the initiative and attend.
If we want campus-wide progress with this movement, we need clarity through education. We need a PACE class that explains, analyzes and studies these issues through research, literature and informative discussion. We need required screenings of films such as “MissRepresentation,” a documentary analyzing media influence on the development of boys and girls. Incorporate this conversation into a school-wide curriculum. Replace a day of classes with required workshops similar to those offered on MLK Day. It has come to the point where a shirt is not enough. It is time for the school as a whole to take a step in the direction of education on gender inequality.
This Editorial represents the views of The Phillipian Editorial Board CXXXVI.
