The amount of critiques made at Women’s History Month seem to become stronger every year. “Why do we still need it? Women are equal now”, or very commonly, “What’s the point of giving them a whole month? I mean, men don’t have one” and even arguments made from another, more progressive perspective: “Why would we celebrate Women’s history, or progress when its so obvious there’s still so many problems that remain as obstacles for women everywhere? Isn’t it a little contradictory?” But as founded or not as these comments are, none of them are necessarily true, and therefore cannot constitute disregarding March as a time to celebrate what women have done, or forgetting how far they’ve come, even if the world still needs to catch up. In fact, it is now that paying attention to women is the most important, and now when the world can be criticized, and then given the spotlight to change.
Sitting snug in-between Black History Month and Pride Month, Women’s History Month is no exception to being commercialized. This doesn’t invalidate the month though. Neither does it make February any less meaningful either. All it means is that there are always people who will try and take advantage of a group’s celebration, and those in celebration should never amount themselves to what companies make of them.
“The reason why there’s no men’s history month is because men were never oppressed”, marked Bella Marroquin, a high ranked senior whose schedule is full with APs and impressive extra curriculars. “Women were oppressed […] and it’s important that we reflect on these things so that they don’t happen again”.
In its heart, Woman’s History Month serves as a reminder of the hardships women have always faced. It tells the story of how half of a race had been ostracized and forced to live lives separate from the rest of the population–a story that has been a reality for young girls and adults their whole lives, one way or another. For some people its more extreme, like for those living under the rule of the Taliban in Afghanistan who’ve had their rights stripped and bodies taken advantage of without prevention of the government; but for those who have it better in places like Denmark(ranked by the University of Georgia as the best in the world for Women to live in) still have to deal with a gender pay gap, and social issues; the glass ceiling, objectification, SA, etc..
This month should not be looked down upon because these issues exist, and it doesn’t need to be viewed through a corporate lenses either– just another time to try and market shirts, pins, or beauty products. Whats most important will always be that Women’s History Month is a time for reflection and when we remember the women of our past who have brought us so far, and our sisters around the world who continue to push us into a brighter future every month of the year; not just March.
