One Ohio University student is setting out to prove that not all feminists are easily stereotyped.
With the belief that integrated feminism is necessary to achieve goals of equality, Kavin Shah, a senior studying psychology and men’s outreach coordinator at the Women’s Center, decided to start the first-ever Men’s Outreach program at OU.
“The whole thing is about extending what we call women’s rights to people of all genders,” Shah said. “We need feminism to be something that includes men; we need it to be something that includes trans-folks; we need it to be something that includes LGBT people, people of color … those voices need to be heard more.”
The event, held Tuesday through Thursday, is “intended to encourage the participation of all genders in feminist causes,” according to the Women’s Center newsletter. Each day will focus on a different topic, ranging from the idea of gender-constructs to sexual harassment and “rape culture.” The program will conclude Thursday with a screening of the documentary Tough Guise and a faculty panel.
“My hope is that we can have a real dialogue between men, women and any gender,” said Patricia Stokes, assistant professor of women’s and gender studies and a panelist for the event. “It won’t be all women talking about what men should be doing.”
Stokes and Catherine Cutcher, a professor in the women’s and gender studies department, agree that the willingness to include men in the conversation is growing with a new generation of feminists.
“I think we definitely have a more nuanced understanding amongst young feminists today about the importance of including men in this conversation,” Cutcher said. “I think that’s what feminism today is about: recognizing our shared humanity.”
Shah agreed with the sentiment and said he hopes the event can be a chance for students to discuss their own experiences and ideas of masculinity and how they relate to feminism.
“Everybody has a unique place in what I call the feminist struggle, and I want to hear everybody’s,” he said.
gm220908@ohiou.edu
