A plea to women, help redefine feminism

Kara Hodge

Webster's Dictionary defines feminism as "a doctrine that advocates our demands for women the same rights granted men, as in political or economic status." However, it does not say that fulfilling the doctrine of feminism requires the oppression of men.

As a woman living in a world still ruled by white males, I feel that there does need to be a fight for equal opportunity. No one should have opportunities taken away because of their religion, ethnicity, race or gender. As Americans, it says it is our right to have certain freedoms and be given equal consideration for those opportunities.

And because we live in an imperfect world, those freedoms, although idealistic and pretty on paper, are not carried out. Face it, we live in a society full of people with prejudices, stereotypes and pre-conceived notions about who deserves what. We also live in a world of male chauvinists. But that is not the problem I am addressing.

After being here at Appalachian for almost four years, I have taken notice to something on this campus that is a definite issue. That issue is the feminists on campus oppressing men in their fight for what they think they deserve.

I have listened to numerous conversations in class about family and children, sex and rape, social structure, responsibility and gender roles. Over and over again, I have heard women say that it is the male race's fault that they aren't getting what they want, getting what they rightly deserve, getting what is theirs to own.

And to those women, I will have to say that you are right. There is not equality among the genders and women do live under gender roles that don't allow them to pursue their dreams. And to the women who are fighting for those freedoms and opportunities that they are missing out on, I say keep the fight going strong.

But I will also say to those women, don't step on others as you try to progress up the ladder of equality.

I don't get it. Women complain and whine about what they aren't getting because they are female and yet they step all over the male race in order to try to change it. I have heard the excuse, "Well that's what men did to us!" Well, didn't your mother ever ask you, "If everyone jumped off a cliff, would you?" Why are women so intent in making the same mistakes that men have made for centuries? Why are you still jumping off the cliff when you know where it will lead you?

Men have indeed been in charge for years and have oppressed women in order to gain power. But why, if women are so determined to make the world a better place for themselves and generations to come, are they following the same pattern that oppressed them in the first place? It just doesn't make any sense.

If feminism is a fight, then women need to stop making themselves into the victims. You are not a victim unless you choose to be. Men may be the gender that rapes, kills and hurts others, but women are just as capable of the same crimes. You don't think women can kill or hurt people? Don't you remember Susan Smith or Lorena Bobbitt?

Men today are not the enemy. The societal rules that require men to be the determiners of women's fate are. So fight those rules, fight them to get what you want. Women do not have to be the oppressors. Help redefine feminism.

Kara Hodge is an Entertainment Beat reporter. He can be reached at: theapp@appstate.edu.

We're taking our A-game to GSU

Adrian who? Heisman Trophy candidate Adrian Peterson looks to run all over Appalachian this weekend during Georgia Southern University's homecoming matchup against Appalachian State University.

Incidentally, so did NCAA-leading rusher Louis Ivory last Saturday when we hosted Furman Univeristy at Kidd Brewer Staduim, but the Mountaineers held Ivory to 63 yards, a sharp contrast to his usual nation-leading average of 181.4.

Apply that to Georgia Southern Eagles Peterson and his average of 160 yards per game and it seems inevitable he will shutdown when facing the Mounatineers this Saturday; only one of the factors that will lead to a homecoming loss for our friends at Georgia Southern.

LetÕs talk about Georgia Southern's schedule going into the weekend. They have faced Southern Conference "powerhouses" such as our homecoming opponent, Wofford College, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Virginina Military Institute, and our friends-across-the-mountain Western Carolina, who even got 24 points off the Eagles last weekend. It should be noted that last year Appalachian allowed a mere 10 points from Western.

Yeah, the Eagles may tout an average of 35 points per game, but looking at the teams they got them from, that is certainly not a big accomplishment.

In fact, outside of fourteenth-ranked division I-A University of Georgia (who pummeled the Eagles 29-7) , we are the only team that pose a true threat to Georgia Southern so far this year.

Scheduling Appalachian for homeoming was not the smartest move for Georgia Southern. Homecoming is the big game that the home team wins, and if Georgia Southern had thought of this, perhaps another team like VMI would have been a better choice. That makes too much sense though. Instead, the Eagles want to make it hard on themselves, maybe give the crowd a well-played game (fat chance) and then pull out a victory at the end, as unlikley as that seems.

The Eagles will not have an easy time with us. If they plan to even stay with us for one half, Georgia Southern better bring their finely tuned and polished A-game.

You can bet Appalacian will, because the Mountaineers are going to ruin Gerogia Southern's homecoming. Appalachian was the only SoCon team to serve the Eagles a loss last year, and you can bet this year will be the same.

What does it feel like to be different among you?

Tiffany Fant

I know you all have missed me so I have decided to grace you all with my elegance once again. I have come to the fInal conclusion that I am different among you you in reference to the majority, white students. I first must credit Melissa Barth of the Equity Office with this topic because I first heard this from her, and then realized I had an opinion on it, as I do with most things.

The first thing I would like to bring to light that I am different among you in class even though we are of the same stature. An example would go something like this. I am sitting in class and the topic of lets say something dealing with black people and the civil nghts come up. Instead of the professor teaching the class what they know about the subject, they want a little more information. So a question like this is posed, "So Tiffany, what do black people think about this?" I would be more than happy to answer that question if I were all black people, but since I am not I can only answer as Tiffany. You may be thinking, "Well Tiffany that is not too bad." And, I would have to agree with you, but if this happens in the majority of your classes then it becomes a problem. And if you do not yet understand let me change the example. Let's say for some reason we are talking about slave owners and the professor asks, "So John, what do white people feel about slave owners?" First the question will never be asked and second John might be offended because he does not want to put his family business out like that.

Another thing I have noticed how it is to be different among you are the differences of our first impression when we walk into a room. Let's take the food court as an example. When I walk into the food court by myself the first thing I usually think is "I am the only black person in here."

I notice this not because it makes me uncomfortable but because it is noticeable. On the other hand when my white counterparts walk into the food court I do not get the feeling that they say, "Boy there are a lot of white people here." However, I could be wrong about that.

Another truth about life about being different among you is the way that I and on a whole people of underrepresented ethnicityÕs have to behave. In Cascades, there are two tables one has predominantly white occupants and the other has predominantly black occupants. Now the table, which has the most white students, is loud and obnoxious, yet the image of them is not changed. They are viewed as college students just having fun enjoying their young adult years. Now the predominantly black table has an outburst of laughter. First they receive looks and whispers from surrounding tables, and then the image is "they" just do not know how to act when "they" get in public, and finally people proceed to leave.

I have given all of those examples to say that is what it is like to be different among you. I believe that some people forget that there are differences among us because of their feeble attempt at political correctness. I am here to be the voice that says, "Don't get it twisted." Other people just do not realize for whatever reason that there are differences, and I am here to say; "Now you know." And for those people who truly wanted to know how some black people feel on this campus, but no one would tell I say, "Ask me anytime."

Tiffany Fant is a Contributing Writer. She can be reached at: theapp@appstate.edu.

what they're saying....

Just another day at the office for Georgia Southern

Randy Dobson The George-Anne

Well, here we go again. Right? Appalachian State University travels to Statesboro, Georgia (where even the football gods go to watch good football) to battle the Eagles of Georgia Southern University.

But, even with App. State coming in ranked no. 5 (and GSU no. 1), and even though ASU is the hated rival of GSU, and even though ASU is the only 1-AA team in the country to hand the mighty Eagles a loss last season, and even though it is Southern's Homecoming, will anything be different for Southern this coming Saturday?

Doubtful.

You see, last year's loss to the Mountaineers was painful, for all of the above reasons, but also because Georgia Southern turned the ball over and because the game may have been one of the worst officiated games in history. But I digress.

Yes, the same things could happen this year, especially with the Eagles uncharacteristically penalty happy this year. Yet I do not think even 200 yards in penalties will help the Mountaineers this year.

Nope. This is about pride. This is about the kind of rivalry known only to those who have played football in the South. For Yankees just don't get the emotion, the charge, the competitiveness, or even the hatred that comes with being part of college football in the South.

Kindred spirits though we may be down here in Dixie, there is one thing that stands between brothers like us: a battleground known only as "Our House". It needs no other name, yet still carries another: Home of the Defending National Champions!

Get it? I hope so because, in all honesty, the trip south to Georgia will not be an all-together pleasant experience for you Appstate fans; that much we can promise you.

You want to party? Fine. You want to have a good time after the game? You are welcome to join us. However, for approximately three hours next Saturday afternoon, um, how should I say this? How can I put it politely?

Knowing the guidelines for sportsmanship set forth by the Southern Conference, how can I properly relay to you the feeling of rage that befalls all who walk the hallowed grounds on the Eagles sidelines? Ask UMASS, or Illinois State, or Furman, or VMI, or Wofford, or, for that matter, your own players? They know.

They feel it innately within the pits of their stomachs, like a virus that is taking their bodies over -it is fear.

They may not admit it publicly, but when they are alone? Yep. It is definitely there. And you know what?

When it boils right down to it, you, the reader, you know it as well. I know you do.

But, hey, it's cool. And do you know why? Because every man, woman and child on earth, at one point in their lives, have felt fear. It's okay to admit it. Really. Just do yourselves a favor and get help before Saturday's game.

Talk to yourselves in the mirrors across campus if you must; but come to grips with reality prior to your arrival in Statesboro. 'Cause if you don't, it is gonna be a long ride home to Boone.

As for us, we thank you in advance for your kind participation in our Homecoming festivities this year, and respectfully ask your forgiveness for the whipping you are about to receive.

As the saying goes, "It'll be just another day at the office" for us. But hey, we're used to it. And by now, you should be, too. Randy Dobson is the senior columnist for the George-Anne.