What Women's Studies Means to Me

With the recent events at Wright State University, and my blog post covering the new decision, I thought it would be more than appropriate to write about what Women's Studies has meant to me personally during my time here.

When I first entered a Women's Studies class, I immediately felt at home. Despite a few sexist comments from men and women around me, the loudest people were those who really felt a commitment to feminism. I remember reading Alice Walker, bell hooks, Baumgardner and Richards. They spoke to me and ignited a passion for me that felt different than anything else in my life. Jessica Valenti describes her own similar experience in college as finally "getting past the bullshit". That's exactly how I felt. I suddenly realized all the pressure I constantly felt to be pretty, excessively thin, smart but not too smart, funny but not too funny, liked by men, etc. was all bullshit. It was the most liberating experience I've ever had.

As I took more classes, my professors taught me how to deconstruct this "bullshit" using feminist theory. I felt empowered, not to mention...happy. You see, while I spoke at my first women's studies conference, wrote kick ass papers, learned to argue effectively, and the definition of heteronormative, I also learned to love myself.

I took great classes because the Women's Studies department at Wright State is so great. Its director made sure we had classes that challenged and taught us so much. It's because of this effort that while I have flourished in the academic context, I have also flourished as a human being.

What's happening right now is so deeply personal to me because of what the program has meant to me. I do not believe that losing its director would do anything positive for women's studies at Wright State. I do believe it will do great harm. I'm graduating soon and I would like to see other students have the opportunity for a similar experience. Without such a well run program, such a personal experience, amazing classes, and great faculty and staff, I wouldn't be who I am today. No matter the outcome, I will never forget that. Because of what Women's Studies means to me, I will fight for these women and this program that has shaped me to greatly.

This is What a PISSED of Feminist Looks Like

Today there was a mass email sent to faculty, staff, and students at Wright State University. This email informed said parties that earlier a decision was made by Dean Charles Taylor decided to "eliminate the directoships and associated staff positions of the undergraduate interdisciplinary programs, including Women's Studies." All six directors are women in charge of Women's Studies, African American Studies, International Studies, Criminal Justice, Social Science Ed, and Liberal Studies.

This has been described as a "budget" concern. As a Women's Studies student, this is yet another reminder that my work may never be considered valid or important to some. It reminds me that women who work in these fields are viewed as replaceable (not even needing to be replaced) and are expected to carry this workload without thanks or even pay (whom do they think will pick up the slack from ELIMINATING six jobs). Women's Studies literally saved my life during a time where I was severely depressed after my sexual assault. Through feminist theory and classes, I learned how to channel my pain and anger into great work. I learned about bell hooks and Audre Lorde right after reading Jessica Valenti's bad ass works. I learned to see the world for the good and to fight against the bad. As a Women's Studies professor said to me on the phone today, "We don't fight because we think we'll win. We fight because it's right."

This is wrong. These six women matter. Daily, they pour themselves into these jobs. I am ashamed of my university and sad to learn how Wright State feels about women. More than that, I am pissed. I am pissed as hell. And if Wright State wants to see what a pissed off feminist looks like, they'll soon see us...a lot of us. Mobilize. Don't take shit. Use the theory from the classroom and create change with it. These are the women who have changed our lives.

P.S. You can reach Charles Taylor at: charlestaylor@wright.edu or his office at 937-775-2225 170 Millett Hall :)