I am involved in a club on campus called VOX, Voices for Planned Parenthood. We are just a good old fashioned feminist club representing Planned Parenthood on campus and making people aware of reproductive rights issues. Now most of the women in this org are of the feminist mind, however some think they are of the feminist mind and really just spout off a little too much for my liking. Like today, we were kicking off National Condom Week and girlfriend is starting to talk to some people, get our name out and what not, and then a boy wlaks up to our table. Idle chit chat ensues and soon we all catch these words: "Oh , you should join our club, you would be the only guy. We have a lot of pretty girls, I bet you could find a girlfriend."
Now, does this sound like anything any feminist woman would say? Maybe, join our club for the amazing knowledge you will gain, or join us in the fight to keep Roe alive; but never EVER do we SOLICIT our members. Now I am sure that she did not mean this to be harmful to our movement as a whole. But it really was. Because for every off-handed remark like this that women make, we take a little step back in what ground we have gained.
What was She Thinking?
By liberal lillith - Posted on February 13th, 2008
"Now, does this sound like anything any feminist woman would say?"
Feminism is not synonymous with lesbianism. ANY woman that loved men might say that.
She may have been thinking that this guy was sensitive and sympathetic to the beliefs and causes of women, and some of the members might appreciate him for it. Men do not have to lose for women to win. We are all in this together.
To see a world in a grain of sand
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour.
-William Blake
Yeah but why did that girl mention, "you might find a girlfriend?" It doesn't make any since at all. I just think that it was a little uncalled for.
Krystella, 17 years old.
shortstella@gmail.com
A little off topic, but not beyond 'Idle chit chat' as describes the talk that preceded it.
It seemed that picking out that one phrase illustrated the authors unstated attitude. College students talking about dating! The Horror!
To see a world in a grain of sand
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour.
-William Blake
Yeah that remark was a little uncalled for. Your organization isn't meant for dating or finding a lover. For real!! I mean that is just a little pathetic. I would have a little 5 minute discussion about it. Showing that it's not meant for something like that. She should have said something like, "You should come join our organization and find out some great info." Or something like that.
Krystella, 17 years old.
shortstella@gmail.com
Was this the entire conversation? Maybe she just threw that in for a little encouragement after telling him about other parts of the club. Maybe she was just joking. Also, His friends might not look to kindly on a guy for joining a women's right group. Obviously I wasn't there, but give her a break. Besides, even if he joins for the wrong reasons, that doesn't mean he won't help. He could attract other guys to the organization.
My guess is she thought he was hot...she was referring to herself as the girlfriend he could meet and wanted him to know that. Maybe you are making an issue out of somebody who just wants a date.
I do agree what she said isn't the best way to represent your organization, but would the guy have joined anyway? Did he actually join?
She wanted him.