Name: Jonathan Beard
Sex: Male
Occupation: High school teacher
1.) Are you a feminist?
Yes. I think it might be too easy for a man to hedge on this question. I've been wondering why it's hard for me to just say the words, simply and unapologetically, without any smart-sounding excuses about the "limitations" or "nuances" of the word. Don't ask me if I'm a particularly good feminist, but the answer is: Yes, I'm a feminist.
2.) What does feminism mean to you?
Non-violence, bein' equal, bein' human and ready to see and acknowledge the biases under your hood!
3.) Who is one female (other than your mother) you admire, and why?
My old yoga instructor, Marya, built this stunning yoga studio in southern Connecticut where she teaches inspirational yoga classes and presents lively theatrical productions, for which she designs and creates costumes AND builds the set with her metalworker husband. Yeah! I should get back in touch with her - she's awesome.
4.) Are there enough women in leadership positions in your field?
The principal of the high school where I teach is a woman; both of my school's community leaders (staff supervisors) are women; women take an active role in directing and shaping the school's agenda on a number of levels.
5.) Are men and women being paid fair and equally in your field?
As far as I know, this is getting better. I looked into this, but didn't find ultra-conclusive evidence either way.
6.) How do media generally portray women? What is a good example of this?
I feel like this is pretty in-your-face obvious. Like I don't even need to answer. I'm not, like, above answering. I just think this question gets answered within five seconds of turning on a television.
7.) What can men and women do to reduce violence against women?
"We must not allow ourselves to become like the system we oppose." -Bishop Desmond Tutu
Take a deep breath... count to ten (or 500)... and then revisit the situation. Don't watch so much violent TV or movies. Get in touch with your anger and work it out. Use your words, baby. Take a walk. Tell people that violence against women is not OK. I seriously love to laugh but some jokes just aren't funny. Don't tell violent jokes if you can help it. I need to be better about most of this stuff.
8.) How do you achieve balance between work and personal/home life?
Still working on this one.
9.) What is one thing you’d like to see happen for women in the next 5-10 years?
I'd like to see women be able to travel solo without fear of being raped, mugged or attacked in any way. Traveling's one of my favorite things to do, and I think it's pretty shameful how different an experience traveling can be for women. I know a couple girls who've traveled solo and endured some serious trauma abroad. It's not uncommon. So yeah - women should be able to travel without fear and see all the amazing sights and meet all the amazing people there are to meet out there in the big broad world. That's what I'd like to see.
10.) What is one piece of advice you’d like to give to young girls today?
Talk more. Talk at home. Talk to friends. Talk in class. Talk in front of groups. Talk one on one. Really speak your mind because you have just as much right to do that as anyone does.
Curious to see what a feminist partnership looks like? Check out his girlfriend's answers here.
*Any emphasis that of The Undomestic Goddess
The Undomestic 10 is a 10-question interview with men and women about feminism and how we can improve it. The Undomestic 10 welcomes anyone and everyone to shed light on how our society views feminism (even those who don't self-identify as feminists). If you think you have something interesting to add to the mix, don't hesitate to email me at amanda(dot)recupido(at)gmail(dot)com.
Link to all Undomestic 10 interviews.
Sex: Male
Occupation: High school teacher
1.) Are you a feminist?
Yes. I think it might be too easy for a man to hedge on this question. I've been wondering why it's hard for me to just say the words, simply and unapologetically, without any smart-sounding excuses about the "limitations" or "nuances" of the word. Don't ask me if I'm a particularly good feminist, but the answer is: Yes, I'm a feminist.
2.) What does feminism mean to you?
Non-violence, bein' equal, bein' human and ready to see and acknowledge the biases under your hood!
3.) Who is one female (other than your mother) you admire, and why?
My old yoga instructor, Marya, built this stunning yoga studio in southern Connecticut where she teaches inspirational yoga classes and presents lively theatrical productions, for which she designs and creates costumes AND builds the set with her metalworker husband. Yeah! I should get back in touch with her - she's awesome.
4.) Are there enough women in leadership positions in your field?
The principal of the high school where I teach is a woman; both of my school's community leaders (staff supervisors) are women; women take an active role in directing and shaping the school's agenda on a number of levels.
5.) Are men and women being paid fair and equally in your field?
As far as I know, this is getting better. I looked into this, but didn't find ultra-conclusive evidence either way.
6.) How do media generally portray women? What is a good example of this?
I feel like this is pretty in-your-face obvious. Like I don't even need to answer. I'm not, like, above answering. I just think this question gets answered within five seconds of turning on a television.
7.) What can men and women do to reduce violence against women?
"We must not allow ourselves to become like the system we oppose." -Bishop Desmond Tutu
Take a deep breath... count to ten (or 500)... and then revisit the situation. Don't watch so much violent TV or movies. Get in touch with your anger and work it out. Use your words, baby. Take a walk. Tell people that violence against women is not OK. I seriously love to laugh but some jokes just aren't funny. Don't tell violent jokes if you can help it. I need to be better about most of this stuff.
8.) How do you achieve balance between work and personal/home life?
Still working on this one.
9.) What is one thing you’d like to see happen for women in the next 5-10 years?
I'd like to see women be able to travel solo without fear of being raped, mugged or attacked in any way. Traveling's one of my favorite things to do, and I think it's pretty shameful how different an experience traveling can be for women. I know a couple girls who've traveled solo and endured some serious trauma abroad. It's not uncommon. So yeah - women should be able to travel without fear and see all the amazing sights and meet all the amazing people there are to meet out there in the big broad world. That's what I'd like to see.
10.) What is one piece of advice you’d like to give to young girls today?
Talk more. Talk at home. Talk to friends. Talk in class. Talk in front of groups. Talk one on one. Really speak your mind because you have just as much right to do that as anyone does.
Curious to see what a feminist partnership looks like? Check out his girlfriend's answers here.
*Any emphasis that of The Undomestic Goddess
The Undomestic 10 is a 10-question interview with men and women about feminism and how we can improve it. The Undomestic 10 welcomes anyone and everyone to shed light on how our society views feminism (even those who don't self-identify as feminists). If you think you have something interesting to add to the mix, don't hesitate to email me at amanda(dot)recupido(at)gmail(dot)com.
Link to all Undomestic 10 interviews.
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1 comments:
"We must not allow ourselves to become like the system we oppose." -Bishop Desmond Tutu
I love that! Now lets get JonBeard and Samsanator together and have a feminism in schools conversation!
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