[Trevor Smith]

Michael Kimmel’s lecture regarding the difference between men and women made me truly think about how men have played a significant role in women’s struggle for equality. For example, When Kimmel mentions the Anita Hill sexual harassment accusation of Supreme Court nominee, Clarence Thomas, in 1991, the Senate, whom at that time was mostly dominated by men, called her “scornful” and a “liar”. The media then followed the trail of the Senate by desensitizing Hill’s accusation by referring to the case as, “A chilling effect”. Such comments made by the Senate and media seemed to be an attempt to halt any future instances of women coming out and accusing prominent male members of society of sexual acts of misconduct. This is just one example of how men have attempted to stifle the progression of women’s equality. Furthermore, in 1970, 2/3 of women agreed that men are basically kind and considerate. Now, 44% of women only agree with that statement. In 1970, 41% of women agreed that men’s egos require them to put women down. Now, 58% of women agree with that statement. This statistical trend reflects how men have grown increasingly intolerable of women’s rights as more and more women have pressed the issue. Additionally, women have grown aware of men’s displeasure toward women’s equality, and this time around, women are not going to allow men to get away with it. As a male, I’m quite disgusted that men feel the need to put women down to make themselves feel better, and I actually find that to be more of an insecurity issue than a dominance one. Lastly, I feel for women and their fight for overall equality, and after listening to Michael Kimmel’s lecture, I’ll make sure to be more aware of this particular social issue. After all, I feel that awareness of this pressing issue, particularly amongst men, is vital toward aiding men in supporting women’s equality.

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