Some of you can probably tell by my writing that I am more than willing to express my opinion, even when it means I’m going to look like a total geek, an old-fashioned romantic, and sometimes…what some people might call “a raging feminist.”

I don’t parade around blaming people for being sexist…I don’t think Lululemon is a horrible company…I don’t think Disney princesses are bad influences…and for the love of Walt, can we please just leave Michael Bublé alone?! Sure, what he did is a bit creepy, but if I were the subject of Bublé’s compliments I wouldn’t complain.

On the other hand, I believe that victims of rape are poorly represented and treated, I think women should be given the position of CEO and paid just as much, I think there is a serious issue with how women are treated by men in general, and if we are going to be called “man-haters,” there are plenty of men who should be called “girl-haters.”

Eric Betancourt, sophomore at Boston University and friend of mine since the first day of Freshman Orientation, recently wrote an award-winning essay on Reddit’s “Red Pill” page and the reasons and effects of the problems of unhealthy masculinity. He won the 2015 Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Writing Award at BU. In short, his paper is powerful and needs to be read by anyone and everyone, especially those involved in any education system or gender studies program.

If you visit the Red Pill, you’ll find numerous conversations written by men who make claims such as “all women will be sluts for the man she wants”…”your body is a physical manifestation of your values”…or “don’t use Tinder because you have to, use it because you can.” Betancourt goes undercover and executes a study on how masculinity affects everything from treatment towards girls to male confidence and ego…and so much more.

This paper is important because it is raw, honest, and most importantly, written by just a normal college kid. Betancourt is a full-time student and involved in many extracurricular activities including a social fraternity and various programs through the children’s focus area of the BU Community Service Center. I find that many academic articles about gender issues are written by seasoned professionals, and to see a topic like masculinity argued by such an approachable, relatable author is incredible. Even more, I feel like it’s a piece that can…and will…be appreciated by both men and women.

I side with Emma. The Red Pill is an example of how there are men out there who still think it’s okay to write and believe such things. How I see it is that this is not an issue of feminism or promoting sexually and emotionally abusive behavior (even though it does…); It is an issue of respect. If women like myself are going to be called “man-haters,” then we are allowed to call you, Red Pill people, the “girl-haters.”

Because people who write or believe such disrespectful thoughts are exhibiting the most rude…mean…and inconsiderate behaviors in the world. If you think we are dumb enough…moody enough…sensitive enough…to hurt your ego and bring you down from your “alpha male” position, I think it’s safe to say you hate us too. People who respect one another and treat each other equally as human beings do not spread such negativity or disrespect. Good luck dealing with the rest of this life, because I can guarantee you if you keep this up, no woman will ever want to marry you, bear your children, or make you a meal at the end of the day.

But I guess that’s not what you’re looking for right now anyways.

Please read Betancourt’s essay and get educated on why these things happen and how we can change the future generation. Please also share this post to spread awareness on this issue that is so dear to me and many other men and women in the world.

And thank you, Eric, for being so brave, honest, and kick-ass.