#3 Hard Questions

I wouldn’t call this particular blog post hard, but rather a taboo situation for my topic making it almost impossible. I want to figure out what made this challenging and why my topic is something that definitely needs to be heard.

In the past week, I got to interview one person. A friend of mine who I knew would be open to talking and understand I’m not shoving a liberal agenda down their throat. This interaction was by text and to their approval, I can share their answers.

My original planned questions whereof minimalistic sense. I found that if I had an outline I could then further our conversation into deeper subjects, which actually happened reasonably quick.

I sent the first question at 1:57 pm.

How would you define feminism?

Response:

I would define feminism as women trying to find equality in the workplace, outside of the workplace and advocate for human rights in general too.

Fair enough. Then I asked the next.

Do you consider yourself a feminist?

Response:

In the way of trying to find equality for men and woman, I most certainly do support feminism. On the other hand, I do not support feminism if it is only about women being able to dominate over everyone else.

Okay, looks good. How about the next question?

Do you think feminism is needed in our day and age?

Response:

Yes, though I do think that we should find another word other than feminism even though I understand that it originated due to women not being taken seriously. We all want to live in world where no matter your race, background, or gender effects how much you are getting payed or your overall acceptance in society. I think that if we were to strive more for equality as a whole, people wouldn’t label it as harshly as they do.
And at this point I was excited. I know it isn’t as such an eye-opening experience when someone agrees with you, but when someone does it means you aren’t a total idiot trying to change the social norm. People will follow because at least one person out in the world has the same philosophies.
At this point, I’ll be skipping a question I asked. It doesn’t fit well and this post is boring even to me right now. Just keep in mind this whole interaction took place over text. I’m surprised I even got good material this way. I have to give credit to my interviewee however, these next answers were dope considering the vagueness and absurdity of my thinking. These two questions where also the result of deeper thinking and wanting clarity of certain responses.
At 2:15 pm.
Do you know the difference between equality and equity?
Response:
Equity and equality are two things that help produce what we call fairness. The difference between equity and equality is that equity is just about the fairness and equality is being equal in status and rights.
This struck me, for the past year or so I saw equity as the be all type world. The utopia of what the human race should strive to become. However, the second line made me question, how far does equity run? Wouldn’t it be smarter if we incorporated both equality and equity into one bowl? And my answer is, I don’t know.
Next and final question. In my last blog post, I had this exact question, but I wanted to have someone actually answer rather just read it.
Where’s the line between harassment and free speech? Can a man catcall a woman because it [their] right? Does our Constitution still play a role in these interactions? If no wouldn’t that be considered breaking the law?
Response:
The line between harassment and free speech is a line that some American’s have a hard time understanding.  I think that on a level of human decency, there is never a time when it is okay to catcall a woman. Ever. Our constitution has only stated that merely offensive speech is protected speech which isn’t okay. It seems that right now in America it is fine to catcall and harass a woman if you have the indecency to do so. This isn’t okay and we need to change this.
I would add in more, but we goofed a bit and it ended up being from 1:57 pm to 2:30 pm. Not long, but I didn’t want to keep pelting questions, I got what I came for.
Remember this?
“I want to figure out what made this challenging.”
Yeah, I don’t even know where to start. Feminism IS taboo. When talking about it you get one of two extremes. Either they love it or they hate it. I’m scared to ask people their opinions on it. Everyone has heard some (a lot) negative remarks about feminism. People use “feminist” as an insult now. Isn’t that lovely.
My own family doesn’t agree with my thinking at all, so yes this was extremely challenging and what is making it challenging is what feminism fights against. Peoples voices who are quelled by others unwilling to listen to the inequality and control they shove onto others.
Rex Ross

3 Responses to “#3 Hard Questions”

  • Hi Rex,

    I’m glad you had a chance to do an interview to deepen your inquiry into this topic. It sounds like the person you interviewed shared a lot of your views on feminism. I would love to know how others, especially from a wider array of ages and backgrounds, may have answered your questions differently. I’ve often found that I learn the most from people who disagree with me or have very different perspectives.

    I am wondering about why you feel so strongly that feminism is a taboo subject. Is this sentiment more true in certain social or demographic circles than others? It would be interesting to see what people you interview have to say specifically about why they think “feminism” seems to have taken on a negative connotation. Looking forward to hearing more about what insights you gain as you talk to more people.

    – Fallon

    • I think feminism has been frowned upon in today’s world and it seems like a hushed topic. It feels really awkward to talk about, especially to a stranger or someone I’m not close with.
      Usually what runs through my head before I talk about feminism is what will they think of me? Or, What will their reaction be? Will they hate more or label me by the end? Do I seem pushy talking about these things? And with such negative stigmas around feminism, it can deter someone from pursuing it. I wonder if I push myself out there will it help others? I don’t even know if I could take such criticism either.

  • Ally Oswald
    8 years ago

    It’s great to see the questions from your previous post show up here too. I also really appreciate your honesty and the description of your curiosity and excitement as you ask your questions. It makes it so much more interesting. And it makes it seem like we get to know who you are through your writing.

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