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Do you think men can make feminist art? If so, please provide some examples. If not, why not?

– Yes, I believe that men can, without a doubt, make feminist art. Although many of those whom create feminist art are women, it is very possible for men to create feminist art as well. Feminism is not limited to women only; there are plenty of men who are feminists and support women’s rights just as much as women do. So doesn’t that mean that men too are capable of producing works of art that express their feminist beliefs? Although artist Robert Morris was a Minimalist artist rather than a Feminist artist, one of his pieces sparked controversy in the world of feminism and helped prove the point of many feminists. His self-portrait of 1974 depicted him naked from the waist up, wearing only an army helmet, sunglasses, and S&M chains around his neck. No one seemed to give this picture a second thought until artist Lynda Benglis responded to it with a very similar, provocative naked photo of herself that many criticized. Robert Morris’ self-portrait made it evident that people perceive the naked male and female bodies much differently.

[bpb5170]

While many men have supported women’s struggle for equality, there is a lack of education about men active in feminist activism. Why do you think this is?

– I believe that there is a lack of education about men active in feminist activism because when people hear the words “feminism” or “feminist” they automatically assume women. I think this is a result of the hegemony we live in that accentuates the fact that men have always played the dominant role. In the video “What About Men”, Donald discusses the fact that the patriarchy we are apart of has been ongoing for years and years, for example the women’s suffrage movement. He says, “Women had to come to men and ask their permission to vote. They are not going to get the permission from men because then men lose that power.” I feel as though many are still blind about feminism today for that same reason. People are afraid to accept the fact that men are feminists as well just because they do not want men losing that dominant control they have always had. Donald also at one point says, “Why do we have to use the word feminism? Why can’t we use the word ‘humanist?’ Or why can’t we change the spelling to ‘fe-man-ism’?!” I think this is a great outlook on the word “feminism” because not all feminists are women, and we need to begin to educate our country more about that.

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