Written by 9:03 pm Opinions • One Comment

In Defense of Nicholas Kristof

I may not have been impressed with Kristof’s presentation at Connecticut College, but there is no doubt that he is trying to make a change. Unlike countless masses of men sympathetic to the cause of educating and empowering women who stay silent, he is actually trying to do something. And though he may not have all of the answers, he is at least leading the conversation and trying to get people involved. Critics obsess over the idea of Kristof as this perceived “white angel” trying to “fix” the social state of developing countries. Sure, I get it. However, as the face of this cause, Nicholas Kristof makes it okay for men and boys to support women’s success. It sounds unfortunate, and makes one wonder why women have to rely on men to get their voices heard, but it is a reality in many cases.

In patriarchal societies across the globe, women are relying on men to advocate for them. How do you think women got the right to vote in the United States? It was due to a majority of male voters who ratified the amendment. Nicholas Kristof seems to realize that in the present social environment, there are few women who wouldn’t back his cause, but few men who would. Kristof crosses gender barriers and starts a conversation that needs to happen.

Just the fact that he is initiating a conversation is vital. He does not even have to finish it because the issues surrounding the empowerment of women worldwide will not be solved in one presentation, by one man, by one book. His point was to get people talking, acting and trying to make a change for women and for future women. In that he definitely succeeded.

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