I was sitting in the St. Robs
auditorium, A clueless freshmen surrounded by unfamiliar faces which made up my
orientation group and more significantly the Loyola Marymount class of 2016. We
were each challenged with the task of meeting someone who met each description
on a list. While most description such as “an only child” or “own a pet” were
quick successes, there was one description, which was not easily met. “Are any
of you feminist?” A fellow classmate asked. The acquaintances I made, instantly
shuttered at the idea. They explained “Not me!” Confused, I explained I was and
questioned whether they understood the definition of a feminist. There
disapproving faces revealed the overwhelming stigma attached to the term,
which, I alone was incapable of dissuading.
Almost four years later, the
conversation of feminism has drastically evolved. An issue,
a far cry from new, has managed to take center stage and attain a level of
social acceptance in mainstream culture. Feminism is defined as the advocacy of
equal political, social and economic equality amongst the sexes. Over the last
few years, celebrities such as Meryl Streep, Beyoncé, Lena Dunham, Taylor
Swift, Emma Watson and many more have paved the path towards discourse and
offered a feminist narrative for young girls. The lack of female
representation in the arts, unequal pay and traditional gender role
expectations are a few of the common feminist battles fought for today by
celebrities. While celebrities are by no means the voices of ultimate reason,
they are undeniable influential to the masses.
Most recently Carli Lloyd, 2015 Women’s World Cup
and Olympic gold medalist, filed a complaint against U.S. Soccer for wage
discrimination. In the New York Times article she explains “It had everything to do with what’s right and what’s
fair, and with upholding a fundamental American concept: equal pay for equal
play. It had everything to do with what’s right and what’s fair, and with
upholding a fundamental American concept: equal pay for equal play. Even if you
are female. Simply put, we’re sick of being treated like second-class citizens.
It wears on you after a while. And we are done with it.”
Four years from this vivid encounter
in the St. Robs auditorium and the class of 2016 is set to graduate in a few
weeks. As I enter the working force along with my fellow graduates, I hope that
we are able to not only be aware of the possible gender pay inequalities but
also be a voice against the injustices.
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