With Women’s History Month now done, I wanted to share my favorite ways men have displayed their support towards me as a woman. As everyone knows, the most important part of any feminist movement are its male allies and I wanted to take the time to make space for their contributions. This month has shown me just how empathetic the male gender can be and why we can all aspire to learn a little from their example!
1. Extremely Vocal Support for Women’s Independence
Whilst walking to class with my backpack and shorts on, in accordance to the unseasonal heat Berkeley has experienced, a male driver honked his horn and whistled at me from his 2012 Honda Accord for the entire length of the stoplight as he motorboated the air. I can only assume he was acknowledging the observable strength and intelligence myself and women as a whole naturally possess.
2. Checking In On My Mental Health
Since he had fallen asleep the night we were supposed to hang out, I told my Tinder date I might be free the next night if I rearranged my entire schedule. After finishing my second midterm of the week right after my eight hour shift, I very inconsiderately passed out in my bed. To my surprise, I woke up at 8 am that morning to 100 missed calls and 15 very passionate voice messages from him! It’s so kind that he was so worried about me! And honestly, I should have done the same for him the day before. It really shows my lack of care for men I meet off the internet and my disrespectfulness for not following through.
3. Allyship for Women’s Causes
Walking to work, I was approached by a man lounging outside the Shattuck Chipotle.
“You look like my future ex-wife. Can I get your number sexy?”
In light of the recent ICE raids, I’m sure he was offering to help me get a green card. Despite being a born and raised American, I was wearing a shirt branded with “Australia” so he must have assumed I was from the land down under. Naturally, he offered his help to demonstrate his support for immigrant women.
4. Offers of Protection
On a Saturday night out at Kingfish, a man in his mid-thirties and I struck up a brief conversation.
“Let me take you home.” he asked, presumably worrying about my safety that night. I replied with “That’s okay! I’m here with friends.”
“You’re not even that hot anyway bitch.”
I guess he said that as a way to reassure me he was not taking advantage of my body, but my charming personality as well! While he might need to work on his tone, I appreciate the offer and how he let me know he would never take advantage of me.
5. Lessening My Workload
On a project for my genetics class this month, I was grouped with three men. When assigning tasks, I offered to do the analysis section. Instead, they said I should probably stick to designing the powerpoint. Despite the fact that I was the only biology major in the group, it was so thoughtful of them to lessen my workload this month!
Honorable Mention:
My 2 month situationship and I finally consummated our relationship this weekend! The next day was my 21st birthday and since he didn’t text me, I know he has something big planned. Can’t wait to see what it is!