Northeastern University: Professor’s ‘Why can’t we hate men’ op-ed used as evidence in Title IX case
A Washington Post op-ed back in June titled “Why Can’t We Hate Men?” is being used in a Title IX complaint filed against Northeastern University for allegedly discriminating against men. Title IX is an anti-sex discrimination statute, but has generally been seen as a “feminist tool” to take down men.
More than 100 male students have filed lawsuits against their universities alleging anti-male bias in sexual assault investigations, leading to those students being disciplined for consensual sex.
Suzanna Danuta Walters, a professor of sociology and director of the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program at Northeastern University, didn’t target ALL men, writing that “criticisms of this blanket condemnation of men—from transnational feminists who decry such glib universalism to U.S. women of color who demand an intersectional perspective—are mostly on the mark.”
However, she adds, none of that should blind anyone to “some universal facts” about the sexes:
Pretty much everywhere in the world, this is true: Women experience sexual violence, and the threat of that violence permeates our choices big and small. In addition, male violence is not restricted to intimate-partner attacks or sexual assault but plagues us in the form of terrorism and mass gun violence. Women are underrepresented in higher-wage jobs, local and federal government, business, educational leadership, etc.; wage inequality continues to permeate every economy and almost every industry; women continue to provide far higher rates of unpaid labor in the home (e.g., child care, elder care, care for disabled individuals, housework and food provision); women have less access to education, particularly at the higher levels; women have lower rates of property ownership.
Later she adds her version of sexism:
Pledge to vote for feminist women only. Don’t run for office. Don’t be in charge of anything. Step away from the power. We got this. And please know that your crocodile tears won’t be wiped away by us anymore. We have every right to hate you. You have done us wrong. #BecausePatriarchy. It is long past time to play hard for Team Feminism. And win.
On Aug. 15, the National Coalition for Men (NCFM), America’s oldest men’s group, filed a complaint with the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), accusing Northeastern of discriminating against men. Included in the complaint is a mention of Walters’ op-ed, though it is not the main crux of the argument.
Suzanna Danuta Walters
The Title IX complaint from NCFM is similar, alleging that Northeastern violates Title IX with its ALIGN program, which pays for the first semester of college for “women and underrepresented minority students.” NCFM cites 16 other examples of anti-male discrimination at Northeastern, 15 of which have to do with clubs, associations, and programs designed specifically for women without any corresponding programs for men. As the complaint points out, women are overrepresented even in law schools and STEM programs.
It is in one of these 15 examples that Walters’ op-ed is included. NCFM claims that Northeastern’s Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department is discriminatory and “has an overall hostile effect against male participants.”
