Systems, Institutions, Gender Equity (within universities)
Reflecting on the recent incident at Cornell University, this discussion aims to question how systems enable or hinder gender equity, which in turn might further or hinder misogyny, taking the university structure as an example. Many students tend to observe double standards, such as diverging classroom expectations for male and female students; an imbalance in male and female professors and administrators, microaggressions such as diminishing the intellectual competence of female students and staff; or more serious behavioral patterns like tolerating sexual harassment or even assault, all of which reproduce and are reproduced by the patriarchal systems and institutions we exist in. While it’s easy to identify phrases like “boys will be boys” as misogynistic behavior, we must place this behavior and the patriarchal paradigms we are accustomed to within the bigger picture.
The general aim of this discussion will be to analyze and deconstruct misogyny in the university, also with examination through a lens of intersectionality, for example how women of color may experience gender-based exclusion differently than white women. Subsequently, we will recontextualize this issue as a system, not just individual actions, and explore how we can change this system.
It is important to put focus on changing our individual behavior, in turn changing the system step by step, but with promising results for the future of all university students who exist within this system.
A Message from the Honors Board:
We hope to see you all at the discussion - everyone is welcome! As an academic honors discussion, it may feel scary or overwhelming to participate, but there is no pressure to speak at all. All attendance, including just being there to listen (and enjoy the free food and drinks) is highly encouraged. You might just learn something new! And again, we will happy to see you there.