Library Spectacle, Class Debacle

Last Wednesday, in celebration (or recognition, depending on how you look at it) of Woman's History Month the Drama class volunteered their time and efforts to speak to what portion of the student body wanted to listen, or just the portion that needed extra credit perhaps, to bring light to the true nature of Woman's History Month. By highlighting quotes, poems, stories, and memoirs authored or spoken by Women throughout history and in the present day, these students brought forth the issue of gender equality (or lack thereof) in global society. This demonstration later sparked quite the conversation in class. Both those who did and did not see the scene in the library had something to say. For the most part we seemed to have similar core beliefs on the issue and everyone was quick to voice said beliefs. I did not, rather, I sat back and listened. Absorbing the mayhem that unfolded around me, I waited for the opportunity to be persuaded by or at least further informed on the ideas of others. I know what my beliefs are, and because I am in fact a woman, I can assume that others might be able to guess my general position on the subject as well. What I discovered in class is that I am a tad less feminist than I had originally perceived myself to be. Don't get me wrong, I am still all for girl power, but I also believe more in the power of the individual now, than I ever have before. What I realized once we were dismissed from class on Wednesday was that it is not an issue of gender, but an issue of individual people making poor or misinformed decisions or judgments based on lack of open-mindedness, which in my personal opinion develops with the continuation of formal education. It was touched on in class, and I truly believe this with every fiber of my feminine being, that until the individual chooses to educate him or herself we will always live in a world in which "issues" of race, gender, social class, mental and physical ability and so on will cause prejudices and hate to prosper in a place where it could be so easy for love to grow.