In their third full year of operation, Feminism Represents Equality for Everyone (FREE) continues to raise awareness for issues of inequality.
“We are an intersectional feminist group welcoming anyone of any race, gender, sexual orientation, romantic orientation, religion; pretty much anyone, to start a dialogue about inequality both on campus and in the world,” said Kelcey Paine, president of FREE.
Saying a group is intersectional, as Paine does about FREE, signifies that the group recognizes how individuals can be oppressed for multiple characteristcs. For instance, FREE recognizes how oppression a modern female might expreience is expounded for a female of color, homosexual female, religious female and more.
On a weekly basis, FREE meets to discuss a different topic of inequality that pertains to feminist interests. Topics range from everything from gender in horror films to sexual harrasment at work.
“We provide a lot of information so that everyone is on the same page, and then we have a discussion about it,” said Paine.
FREE is also looking to build a larger presence on campus through envolment in more events. They are planning on sponsoring some programs on their own, including a Feminist Fondue night.
For the members of FREE, the concept of feminism is one still misunderstood by the public. “Some people think that feminism only has to do with women and women’s rights,” said Jackie Cao, secretary of FREE, “but it’s also about anything else, so, like, social class and other countries and in terms of the world there is so much more that needs to be done.”
While being strong supporters for female rights, FREE also recognizes that the conversation around feminism can be quite subjective. The club welcomes any and all perspectives.
“I also feel like everyone’s personal definition of feminism and personal definition of what oppression looks like or what progress looks like are so different,” said Benjamin Hayes, Vice President of FREE. “And I think that’s why this club is important, because it gives us a space where we can talk about that.”
FREE meets on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in University Crossing Room 365.
“Equality in the world is what feminism means, at least to us,” said Cao.
