Change of Mind: Gym Class Feminists

             Before a few days ago, the feminist movement an artifact of the distant past that didn't really impact my life very much at all . Sure, I’d heard about the women who struggled for women’s suffrage, but as someone who’s still too young to vote, that fact didn’t really leave an impact on me. To be honest, I had genuinely thought that without feminists, I would still have all the rights I have today. I mean, isn’t it common sense that women should be able to vote? Wouldn’t people have eventually come to the rational conclusion themselves? I was completely ignorant about how unequivocally crucial feminist struggles had been to everything about how I live today.  

           

            In a class discussion that blossomed out of themes in the novel Jane Eyre , it was brought to light what my classmates and teachers attitudes about feminism actually were. Let me preface this by saying that it was a rare experience for me; feminism isn’t exactly the trendiest, most current issue right now, and I’ve never really discussed it in depth before.

            

           It soon became clear that a lot of people had differing attitudes about the topic of feminism. Some called out the feminist hypocrites who demanded equal rights for women while at the same time expecting preferential treatment by men.  Others pointed out how much feminists had actually accomplished, and how little thought people give those accomplishments today. All of this information was interesting to me, but it still failed to leave a lasting impact.

           

           Finally, my English teacher chimed in. He revealed to us his first hand experiences with feminist ideals, like how he had to watch his own mother struggle to even be allowed to work and do something interesting with her life. Afterwards, he declared himself proud to be a feminist. It wasn’t a viewpoint I’m normally exposed to; not a lot of the adults around me have a lot to say about feminism. Actually, perhaps it’s because I’ve never asked? Either way, this was something that reached me. If my English teacher, who isn’t even a woman, could feel so passionately about this cause, where was my appreciation for these revolutionary feminists?

           

            By then end of class, I had developed a genuine appreciation for feminism, but would not go so far as to call myself a “feminist”.  The actual catalyst for my complete change of heart came in the form of my track coach, Karyn Weber.

            

           Apparently the topic of my day was feminism, as it just happened to be brought up at track practice, and Weber had a lot to say. Her thoughts on the subject stemmed mostly from the frustration she had over female student’s complaints about running in gym. Running laps to her was a blessing, not a punishment. She told us all about how not too long ago; girls weren't even allowed to PARTICIPATE in gym. She herself had struggled to be allowed to play all the sports and run all the marathons that literally define her today. 

This struck me; hard.

           

            Sure, I’d known about how feminists before me had struggled for suffrage, but I’d never heard about the ones who had struggled for gym class. As an athlete, I cannot even imagine the possibility of not being allowed to play sports. PLaying sports has become a crucial part of my personality, and without realizing it, I’ve taken the opportunity to do so completely for granted.

           

             It’s official; I’m a feminist now. No, not the kind to go out and protest in the streets, but at least one that understands and appreciates all the struggles of women before me that now allow me the completely, unquestionable freedom to do things like go to university, play sports, and vote.  Never again will I take for granted, or underestimate the efforts of the revolutionary men and women who fought so hard for my rights today.