Sexism: Nia Rhoney, By Destinee Green

Although many women have internalized the sexism of the world they live in, not many realize that it may impact their lives in some way or form. Nia Rhoney is a fellow classmate and great friend who now attends Clemson University. I selected Nia because she was not your average girl. Her views on the world are nonchalant and she does not take on the conformities that are expected of a regular teenage girl. Destinee Green is my first cousin. She is a very educated individual who is involved tremendously in the community which has allowed her to become a lively, well-rounded person. Cynthia Stewart is my dear mother and was a great candidate to me because she has been through so much in her short life. From being very sick at a young age, to

“A disadvantage is that as a girl, you’re expected to be feminine and there are certain gender roles you’re expected to conform to,” said Rhoney. My response to her answer was, “Exactly. Why am I always expected to wear a dress and curl my hair? What if I want to roll around in dirt and play football?” We laughed and continued to talk. “My work and time is just as good as a man’s. Why does he get to make ten dollars more than me? I’m probably a lot better at whatever the job may be anyway,” said Rhoney. Being a woman of color also has its disadvantages. “Having attended a predominately white school, my peers didn’t expect me to know as much as them. My intelligence was often overlooked,” said

“I have no idea what a feminist is although I have heard the term before,” said Stewart. I told her not to feel bad because I did not know the meaning of the term until I took the class and gave her bell hooks’ definition. Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression. Although they do not have to be an activist, they should be pro-choice. “With that being said I don’t consider myself a feminist but I am pro-choice. I give advice and let others learn from experience. A person is going to do what they want so I don’t push my opinion off on others.” While others have a clue to what a feminist is but do not fully understand their purpose. “I think a feminist is someone who wants more equal rights for women but take it to the extreme,” said Nia. I explained to her that a feminist does not have to be an extreme activist. Her response was “I still don’t consider myself a feminist because I don’t really care about trying to make a change for women’s rights. I think it’s as good as it is going to get,” said