To the editor,

I respect how strongly Molly McGrath feels in regard to women’s rights. But the way she presented her opinion is offensive to every woman who doesn’t label herself “feminist,” including myself.

1. In her first point, she explicitly states that women who do not label themselves “feminists” don’t believe in their own right to vote or to attend this University, and might as well drop out of school. This is no exaggeration.

She also accuses us of devaluing all women’s efforts up to this point. It’s unfair to make the assumption that we take these things for granted.

2. “Widespread utterance of this dreaded phrase isn’t helping the case that our representatives should even bother waking up from the Dark Ages.” If I start calling myself a feminist, then Congress will pass the Lily Ledbetter Act?

3. “You cast aside our sisters in the third world like disposable sanitary napkins.” I’m not sure what kind of emotion is behind my disposing of maxi pads, but this sounds a little extreme to me. Her generalizations can impact a number of people.

The biggest problem I have with this article is the fact that she forces women into this “feminist” box. It’s never appropriate to criticize someone for not labeling her beliefs. I’m thrilled to say that we’re finally getting to point where people can have certain beliefs and values and not have to label them.

It seems to me that the fact that there’s negative stigma attached to feminism is what makes her cringe, rather than “the dreaded phrase.” The purpose of this column could have been to encourage people to fight for women’s rights – a noble cause. But instead this article is about how “deplorable” and “ignorant” it is to not call oneself a feminist.

“We’re all entitled to our opinions, but there’s a difference between being outspoken and just being plain ignorant.”

Becca Schoenberg
BU Sophomore