Correction added

An “f-word” was given a new meaning during last night’s “Fear of Feminism Forum” at the Seventh Street Underground.

For an hour, a panel of feminists took questions and confronted stereotypes about feminism.

The goal of the night was to eliminate these stereotypes and open everyone’s eyes to the struggle that still exists today.

The panel consisted of seven women from Janet Marquardt’s Feminist Theory class, as well as one man who had submitted a film to a women’s studies program. The film was about feminist ideals.

After taking Marquardt’s class, the women panelists considered themselves feminists and wanted to host the forum to break stereotypes. They also wanted to inform the campus on the realities of feminism.

The microphone was passed around the table and to begin the forum, each panel member gave their own definition of feminism. While each had a different background, they all had the same basic belief of equal rights for males and females.

With the upcoming election many questions were asked about the possibility of a woman president with Hillary Clinton. Discussion arose concerning whether it would be wise to vote for a candidate simply based on gender.

The lone male panelist, Kraig Koch, a senior English major, said voting for a candidate solely based on gender is a poor decision. Nods from all members of the panel followed his comment.

The pay difference between men and women was also brought up.

Panelists discussed how in the U.S., the average woman makes 78 cents to the average working male’s dollar. Audience members asked why this was.

“The average woman was more intimidated to ask for the extra pay,” said Danielle Stible, a senior English major.

One audience member asked how or what someone would have to do to become a feminist.

“Everybody having equal respect for each other is all that needs to be done,” Marquardt said. “You don’t have to join a movement. It really boils down smaller than that.”

Kayleigh Zyskowski can be reached at 581-7942 or at kzyskowski@eiu.edu.

Ashley Allen, a senior art major, discusses her thoughts on feminism at the “Fear of Feminism” forum Wednesday night at 7th Street Underground in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. (Erin Matheny/The Daily Eastern News)

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