Feminism By The Numbers In Blacksburg

Anna F. LoMascolo grew up knowing what she wanted to do with her life. She went to college and majored in a degree that would allow her to get there. She landed her dream job after graduating.

She arrived in New York City to begin her life at MTV. She loved her job, but living in the city was not what she expected.

Men harassed her at least once every week when she was traveling in the city. This left her feeling intimidated and scared. She realized this was a gendered experience happening to women.

LoMascolo became aware men were objectifying her. At work, she started to notice the objectification of women in music videos.

Women were presented merely as body parts. They were not intelligent or independent because it was more important for them to be physically perfect with no depth.

She then began to develop what she later called a “feminist consciousness.” Her life had changed. She quit working at MTV and started a new life.

She went to graduate school to better understand the world in which she lived.

She became a feminist.

LoMascolo’s story is just one glimpse into the process an individual goes through to become a feminist. Her journey to becoming aware of the gendered world she lived in was what led her to Blacksburg.

She is the co-director of the Women’s Center at Virginia Tech. “I see the world through a gendered lens,” LoMascolo said. “I think the inequities between men and women are vast.

“I am proud to align with feminism and feminist thought and to be part of a historical legacy that insists that, yes, women are human beings and as such we deserve to enjoy the full rights of life, liberty, and happiness,” she said.

If you believe in women’s social, political and economic equality with men, then you should be let in on a little secret. You are a feminist!

This is the basic definition of a feminist and people then vary on the extent of their feminist ideas.

If you agree with the definition of feminism, then you may have further interest in “How to” develop as feminist. These are just some step-by-step basics that will help you on your journey as a feminist at a public university such as Virginia Tech.

1) Take a women and gender studies course. Many students may not even realize the social inequality women face today.

For graduate student Ashley Tomisek, taking a women’s studies course was the first step in her decision to become a feminist. “I took an ‘Introduction to Women’s Studies’ class my freshman year,” Tomisek said.

“It was held at the Women’s Center at Virginia Tech and instructed by two members of the staff there,” Tomisek said. “It was in that class that I began to learn about feminism and began identifying more and more with it.

“I decided to pick up the ‘Women’s Studies’ minor and through those classes (and my continuing volunteer experiences at the Women’s Center) I realized that I was a feminist,” Tomisek said.

2) Contact The Women’s Center and ask the staff questions. “The Women's Center was founded in 1994 to serve the students, faculty, and staff of Virginia Tech,” explains the website. “Our mission is to promote a Virginia Tech community that is safe, equitable, and supportive for women and that celebrates their experiences, achievements, and diversity.”

The staff at the Women’s Center is there to assist the Virginia Tech community. If you have any questions about feminism, just ask someone at The Women’s Center. They are there to help you.

3) Don’t let negative stigmas attached to feminism be a hindrance. “I also think that when people think of feminism they think of a very particular expression of feminist (bra burning, loud, in your face, angry, hairy armpits and all the rest),” LoMascolo said. “In my opinion, there’s nothing in the world wrong with that picture, but for some it is too extreme.

“Folks don’t see themselves in that image so they don’t believe they could be feminist.” LoMascolo said. “They may be walking around feeling aligned with feminist principles and believing in equity, but because they don’t ‘look’ like what they think a feminist looks like, then they reject it out of hand.

“Feminism is many things and is expressed in a million different ways,” LoMascolo said. “We often hear ‘I’m not a feminist, but I believe in equity between men and women.’ Well, hello! If you think that, then guess what? You are feminist.”

4) Make feminist statements in your daily life. “The Women’s Center had a challenge in March, for people in the campus and community to do 16 things to increase awareness of women’s and gender issues,” Tomisek said. “These included interrupting a sexist, racist, or homophobic joke, reading a book about women’s history, attending events dealing with feminist issues, or volunteering with a feminist organization.

“There are a lot of small and big things that people can do to make feminist statements in their daily lives – those are just a few examples,” Tomisek said.

5) Be allies to those who need it and challenge what others say that go against the feminist cause. “Challenge sexist jokes. Be an ally to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer folks,” LoMascolo said. “Devote time and/or money and/or energy to organizations/issues that improve the lives of women and girls.

“Say thank you to a woman who has inspired you,” LoMascolo said. “If you are a woman, run for a leadership position. Encourage women in your life to run for leadership positions.

“Challenge stereotypes and misunderstandings around feminism and what a feminist is or isn’t,” LoMascolo said. “Challenge inequity where you see it. The list goes on and on.”

6) Promote feminism to others. When hanging out with friends set an example for them. “Promotion occurs in the context of friendship networks,” King said. “Whatever the activity might be – shopping, partying, crime, studying, etc. – people can express interest and enthusiasm in activities and thus promote them among their friends.”

7) Do not be afraid to tell others you are a feminist. “Claim it,” LoMascolo said. “Dispel myths and misunderstandings. Point out to others the aspects of their belief systems that are indeed feminist aligned.

“Help them see that feminism isn’t one single thing and that feminists do not fit into a specific mold,” LoMascolo said. “Help them claim it loud and proud!”

8) Acknowledge feminism is important. Some people tend to believe that feminism isn’t important anymore, however this is not remotely accurate. Feminists stand up to injustice and oppression; this is something that is relevant and needed.

“I think it is important to understand the social injustices and oppressions that people face around the world,” Tomisek said. “Feminism is a way to learn about and get involved with the opposition to these injustices. I do not think it is the only way to do so, but it is certainly a way that many people connect to and identify with.”

The world needs feminist. “The world still needs feminism because equality, on many fronts, has not been achieved.” Tomisek said. “A feminist lens is critical to making the invisible visible. And by doing so, things can and will change.”

“You’ve heard this one: ‘the first step in solving a problem is recognizing that a problem exists,’” LoMascolo said. “Well, that’s it in a nutshell. Being critical about the gender order and the impact of gender on people’s lives (and the impact of people in creating gender) is what feminist minded people do!”

Do not ever think that the world does not need feminists. As long as there is injustice, inequality and other forms of oppression, the world will need will need these people devoted to a cause.

FEMINISTS ARE NOT GENDER SPECIFIC

Guess what men? You can be a feminist too! Feminism is not limited to women. Dr. Neal King of the Department of Sociology became a feminist “because I wanted to support those [feminist] causes.”

If any men think they might be treated differently because of their gender, think again. “I tend to be in the minority in feminist groups,” King said. “Sometimes, someone will make note of that in an affectionate and humorous manner.”

It is important for men to identify as a feminist along with other genders who are feminists. If you think that women face inequality then you should become involved in the feminist cause.

King said one of the reasons men are disinterested in feminism is because “most men probably don’t take any personal interest in the political and economic status of women.” Men should consider investing their time to promote women.

A great aspect to feminism is that there is no one set of ideas or characteristics feminists should follow. Feminists come from many backgrounds and have many different ideas about feminism.

“Feminists come from so many different backgrounds – I don’t think I could point out the set characteristics of a feminist,” Tomisek said. “People may identify with feminism for a variety of different reasons and become involved with feminism in a variety of different ways. I don’t think there are any easily identifiable common characteristics of feminists.”