An important topic for me that needs some
introduction and some explanation before we go forward is my identification as
a feminist and how it truly has changed my life. Many of the women I am
surrounded by have the same political and social beliefs as me but don’t really
say the “F-Word” loud and proud the way I have chosen too. Maybe it’s a lack of
understanding and passion or maybe I am just the crazy one.
My famous line is, “I blame Girl
Scouts”. In fact, I don’t blame
Girl Scouts, I thank them – while they have never uttered the lines, “we are a
feminist organization”, many of the skills, knowledge, and leadership roles I
have gain are because of this organization. They are a key part on how I
developed my relationship with feminism. And while they are a part of my
beliefs, a large part of me finding feminism is that I found a place where I
actually belonged. I love studying race, class, ethnicity, equality, history,
and politics. Women’s Studies
combined my love for studying all of those things and introduced to me theory
that matched much of my own. It also allowed me to raise questions and challenge
normative thinking. (Something I was lacking so very much- challenge.)
I felt like an outcast sometimes. My ideology
was much different than many of my friends growing up. I was the black sheep in
the family so to speak as well. Many of the things I want to do before I settle
down differ from those of my friends and what my relatives would like to see.
Finding feminism allowed me to believe that what I want out of my life is okay
to differ of what my family wants, friends want, and society wants.
I battle with jokes and comments every day. I
have some cousins on one side of the family that consistently fires comment at
me every chance they get. At first it was incredibly frustrating because the
fight that I am fighting is not out of selfishness, it is the exact opposite.
It is the changes I want to see be made for equality of all people regardless
of what you believe in. The latest comments took place on Christmas Eve. I kept
my head held high and never backed down. I encourage you to challenge my
thinking but I never invite you to insult me because of my thinking. They
always manage to do the later – insulting that is. But I have come to use it as
a tool to strengthen my views, knowledge on topics in feminism. I want to help
people and change the world some day- even if it is just for one person.
Feminism has given me that strength and I could never back away from that. So
when I feel like my family is attacking me with the comments and jokes - I always step back and ask myself, and
what is it that they are passionate about? What greater good are they doing? My
passion and love are what drive me and that is a really beautiful thing
regardless of criticism.
I can also say that it has brought me closer
to many others. My close female friends share many of the same social ideologies
and I liked to think they have learned a thing or too more because of the
articles I might email them, topics in our conversations or simply how I voice
a concern. They are just as powerful as I am. And together we have built a
strong sisterhood. I hope many other women do the same. We need a stronger
sisterhood to help build a society where we are not constantly pinned against
each other but working in unison towards change, advocacy and education for
future generations. I’ll just go
ahead and say what you are thinking – preach.
So to summarize:
Yes, I am a feminist.
No, I don’t hate men, I am not a lesbian, and
I don’t think women are superior to men. I wear makeup; I eat meat, shave my
art pits & legs, and won’t let my hair go grey any time soon. I call my
friends bitches and whores all the time in the most loving way. I am not a
hippy and I shop at Market Basket. I believe
in partnerships, leadership, education,
and equal opportunities regardless of
sexual orientation, gender, race, and
economic status. We all have a story to tell; it is time we listen to each
other’s.
I promise you this was a different entry than
what I hope to write about in the future but it is an important foundation piece
for me.
I encourage comments! Questions! And ideas
for future posts!
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