Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (June 21, 1979)
First man finishes women’s program By JOHN HEAL Y Of the Emerald “It's so hard to crack the male barrier. Most privileges are still left up to males and the power is still in male hands. Until that changes, I don't know It's going to be a hard, long climb.” says Merle Johnson. Johnson, the first male to receive a Women's Studies certificate at the University, is an ardent supporter of feminism and what he terms a "feminist perspective " His opinions echo many of the thoughts of feminist leader Gloria Steinem, yet Johnson lends a unique light to the issue of women's rights He speaks from a female per spective yet his roots — biological and sociological — are definitely male He has seen society from two totally different positions and can identify with both But in the last two years he has gradually shifted to a belief that looking at society from a feminist perspective is the only viable means of moving women toward equality A book recommended to him by his roommate • Germaine Greer s ‘The Female Eunuch" - was Johnson's initial encounter w-mmm Photo by Jtmmi Harris Merle Johnson, the first male to finish the Women's Studies program, believes that a move toward equality for women means looking at society from a feminist point of view. with feminism. Disturbed by what he had read yet interested in learning more, he took the introductory Women's Studies class, while continuing working on his bachelor's degree in psychology "Before that I had no idea why women were oppressed. It’s kind of like a consciousness raising thing, and you start picking things out For instance, you find out that the majority of women work in service jobs. You start looking around in the world and you see that this is the way it is. Women are on the bottom part of the totem pole.” explains Johnson. "There's blatant sexism, like ‘Charlie’s Angels,' but you can also pick it out in movies like An Unmarried woman,' who goes from man to man ” Johnson has received a “lot of support" in his women's studies classes from women, but has been generally regard ed by fellow males as a “curio sity.” "Males have generally been curious and then that's about it They wonder why I’m taking it, but (for) the most part it’s (been) a neutral reaction." Excitement and support have been the two most common female reactions, he says. “A lot of them are really excited about it. I get a lot of support in the women's studies classes. There are a few women who believe they should be separate from men and have no contact with them. There’s very few of those One class I had some problems with that, but we worked that out. But that's part of a growth process too.” He has been able to make the transition to feminism with much less difficulty than a great majority of the men he has en countered in women's studies classes, he says. "I was a facili tator (student teacher) for a Women's Studies 101 class. I had an all men’s group and. .. they didn’t want to get into talking about medical problems like cancer You have to check your body for lumps just like women do and they didn’t want to get into that.” Johnson believes that men must begin to look at society from a feminist perspective if they are interested in getting in touch with their “real selves.” Johnson looks forward to ap plying the knowledge he has gained through women’s studies to the rest of society. “Now, what I hope to be able to do is apply it to the outside world. I think that’s really going to be hard because society is set up not to take into account a feminist perspective because most things are from a male viewpoint. It's going to be really hard to challenge the male sys tem.” 1 cent Sundae Sale | Buy 1 at the regular price and get the second tor only 1 cent Today Only Campus Dairy Queen 13th A MLYARD Art unfolds with solstice By STEVE MYERS Of the Emerald Students walking on the lawn west of Emerald Hall and south of the Science Library today might be shocked by the pre sence of a large cocoon-shaped object but they needn’t worry; it's only an art student working on her fantasy Karen Herbst, a senior, will be presenting a sculpture-perfor mance titled “Flight Fantasy: Prelude, A Time Chrysalis “ A chrysalis is anything still in the process of development and Herbst plans to work on the sculpture throughout the day in celebration of the summer sol stice, the longest day of the year The cocoon-like chrysalis will also function as a giant sundial and every hour, from dawn until dusk, the tip of the shadow will be marked with a piece of Herbst's sculpture The art pieces relate to a general theme of time, growth and flight. She says each hour of the day will also have a different title, like "Time Flys." "The chrysalis will go through a metamorphosis throughout the day," Herbst explains. "In the afternoon, it will be nothing like it was in the morning Visually there will be major changes " Her sundial creation will be made of papier-mache and she promises there will be a few suprises for those who attend the celebration. Herbst won't say what she has in mind for the chrysalis, but indicates that it has to do with "growing an idea on flight." She says she got the idea for the celebration while driving through the Nevada desert, on the way to Oregon from her home state of Oklahoma. She also says, as the title indicates, this is only a prelude to more works of art along the theme of time, flight and growth The only problem she forsees is a possible lack of sunshine, which would hinder the sundial effect of the performance But Herbst says a lack of sunshine won't stop the metamorphosis of the chrysalis. "It has been cloudy for the last three summer solstices." she laughs. "Hopefully, luck will be on our side this year and it will be sunny." Herbst invites anyone inter ested to come and watch her chrysalis go through its me tamorphosis and help with the summer solstice celebration. Deli Picnic Box Lunch includes sandwiches, potato salad, fruit, cookies “Special of the Day” $2.25 Mon 25 Tues 26 Wed 27 Thurs 28 Fri 29 Sliced Turkey on Light Rye Bread Cheese on Light Rye Bread Hard Salami on Dark Rye Ham on Dark Rye Pastrami (Turkey) Order at Deli or by phone 686-3718 J Spend Summer at Alderwood 1860 Alder 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments available for Summer and taking reservations for fall. All apartments are completely furnished and within a block of campus. summer fall 1 bdnn. 145 199 2 bdrm. 185 279 3 bdrm. 240 349 To view apartments call Resident manager, 345-6422 Mon-Thurs. 10 am -12 noon and 4 pm - 8 pm Fri. 10 am * 12 noon (only) Sat. 10 am - 4 pm. Sun 12 noon - 6 pm Income Property Management 1065 High St. 485-8252 Take A Good Look Come on in and take a good look around. Then take advantage of the super bargains you can find right now at Holly’s summer sale for example: great-fitting Pulse jeans, other popular brands reduced to only $19.99 dresses - shirts - skirts reduced 30% Now is the time to take a look and find out what you've been missing! Tjollv's J 880 East 13th (on campus) 342-2b20
