I was disappointed to find that I had missed an address by Dr. Lois Self Feb. 8 on women’s equity. I agree with many of the points made by Dr. Self but I would like to pose some alternative views. I hope none of the points I stress are based on misquotes by The Star.

Dr. Self pointed out that women have not yet achieved equality in our society. This is evident in the persistence of sexual assault, abuse and harassment millions of women face each year, not to mention job and pay inequity. Dr. Self is correct in saying the opportunities for some women have improved.

However, while the media is busy trying to convince the masses that this holds true for the majority of women, government statistics show that more women are falling below the poverty line each year.

For almost a decade our government has been active in setting the clock back on women’s and civil rights. Even today we are fighting to gain rights over our own bodies, some of which had been won 20 years ago.

I believe Dr. Self is sincere in her observations that many young women students are more optimistic than older, working women about their opportunities in society. She says this is due to the probability that these young women have not yet experienced sexism.

However, the young women who have been active with the Feminist Front, many of whom are under 18, do not turn a blind eye to the inequality and violent conditions women endure in our society.

They have experienced and are well aware of the effect sexism has on their lives. And most importantly, like the older women in the Feminist Front, they realize that the status of women will not improve without hard work and struggle.

Saying older women are more capable of seeing that we really haven’t “come a long way, baby” denies the sharp vision and creativity of the youth who, in many ways, can show us new paths to freedom and equality.

Julia D. Stege

Graduate Student