Hawking as a Feminist
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): Medium (Personal)
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2018/12/16
One of the greatest scientific minds of the 20th century and early 21st century, Stephen Hawking, was a not only a great astrophysicist but also an insightful commentator and rights activist.
His prominence provided a platform. One which he used wisely and justly in speaking for the rights of women.
An important note to his life in an era of renewed pushback against equality with Bolsonaro in Brazil, Duterte in the Philippines, Putin in Russia, Kim Jong Un in North Korea, Trump in America, Xi Jinping in China, and other antifeminists — to be read as anti-women’s rights, anti-equality, and, thus, anti-women.
In an interview with Piers Morgan, Hawking put the clamp down on the sexist commentary of Morgan.
As reported, “Back in March 2017, Morgan mentioned that having five important female leaders at the highest positions in Britain is probably the “scientific evidence” gender equality needs.”
Hawking replied that this is not scientific proof of gender equality that is required but, rather, that “women are at least the equals of men or better.” Noting, Prime Minister Theresa May, the Queen, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Home Secretary Amber Rudd, and Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick shifted the landscape.
While at the same time, this was not the case in the private sector. When asked about acceptance, and to the point, about identification as a feminist or not, Hawking replied, “Yes. I have always supported women’s rights.”
References
IndiaToday.In. (2018, March 14). Throwback: The time Stephen Hawking proved he’s a staunch feminis. Retrieved from thttps://www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/celebrity/story/stephen-hawking-stephen-hawking-dead-stephen-hawking-died-76-feminist-1188871-2018-03-14.
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