That's what we said

Are you a feminist? Why or why not? In light of the recent gang rape and murder of a young woman in India and other examples of the mistreatment of women, we asked students these questions, and also whether they had ever been to a party where things got out of hand regarding the respect of a girl or a guy.

Shelby Hylton
Osceola High junior

Yes, (I have been to a party where things got out of hand). I can’t describe it; it got all kinds of out of hand.

Marlissa Curley
Dixie Hollins High sophomore

I am a feminist. I believe that women should all have equal rights.

Jenn Ngo
Dixie Hollins High senior

I consider myself a modern day feminist because I believe that women can do anything that men can do. At (a) party I (attended), it was a girl (who) was being taken advantage of because she was drunk and everyone was poking fun at her and taunting her really badly.

Women shouldn’t be afraid to go anywhere alone, whether it be day or at night. Women shouldn’t be afraid of that guy that’s walking down the street. I feel that this is something that goes through our head as women all the time, yet we don’t really speak up about it.

Derek Vick
Hillsborough High junior

I’m more of a masculinist. I feel that feminists think of themselves too much as the underdog and aren’t so aware of modern changes.
Sure, I’ve been objectified by girls. Girls are always talking about that sort of thing.

Lexi Garner
Lennard High freshman

To an extent, yes, I am a feminist. I like guys doing things for me sometimes, but I am also a very independent person, and I believe that women are just as strong as men.

Sarah Hylton
St. Petersburg High freshman

I consider myself kind of a feminist. I think everyone is equal, but women are not necessarily better.

Samantha Votzke
Hillsborough High sophomore

I’m a feminist because I want to live in a world where I have the same rights as a man. I think that a feminist isn’t necessarily a man or a woman, just someone who wants equality for both sexes.
I think at any social gathering with both genders and people you don’t know, you’re going to be judged based on your appearance and to an effect that’s objectifying based on gender.

Ryan Kaler
Dixie Hollins High senior

I am not a feminist because I believe that all genders are equal, so there is no need for feminism.
(The recent rapes in India are) disgusting. I think we should do whatever we can to stop (such attacks).

Seth Wood
Hillsborough High junior

(Do I consider myself a feminist?) Not really, because I don’t really understand enough about the ideology. But I am pro women’s rights and I think that women are completely equal to men.
I have not seen a guy mistreat a girl at a party, but if I did it would really bother me and I would definitely step in to put a stop to it.

Ivy Bennett-Ford
Hillsborough High sophomore

I’m a feminist because of the way I was raised and the literature I’ve read (Virginia Woolf, Dorothy Parker).
I don’t think I’ve ever been objectified at a party or harassed.
 

Compiled by Nandi Muswenga, St. Petersburg High; Ellie Rodriguez, Hillsborough High; Alian Collazo, Dixie Hollins High; Marlene Miranda, Wharton High; and Charis Lee, Hillsborough High