Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Assimilation?
Muslim girls in America are now feeling the pressure to fit in. So, the new style is to wear their Girl Scout sash over their regular clothes. Click on the link to see the NY Times story. How sad is that our country feels better sitting next to a little non-Anglo Saxon girl if she's wearing the American flag on her chest? Shouldn't the idea to be accepting and welcoming of all cultures? The idea of a melting pot has never settled well with me because it implies that others must conform or assimilate into a traditional American culture. It is my belief that American culture is pluralism. It involves the intermingling of many different perspectives, religions, and cultures. While these girls should get involved in Girl Scouts if they want learn new skills and socialize with other girls, they should never feel forced to show off their Girl Scout attire in order to feel welcome in this country.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Congress Looks at Hip-Hop Language
from the NY Times: Congress Looks at Hip-Hop Language
I love hip hop. As a feminist, I have always struggled with those songs and artists that uphold misogynist, racist stereotypes. But I hate that people still generalize ALL of hip hop, saying that hip hop as a genre is the problem. What these people fail to realize is that:
a) Not all hip hop artists and fans subscribe to misogynistic language and images,
b) It's not a symptom of hip hop, it's a symptom of the entire music industry--many artists/songs of other genres use degrading language and objectify women (see Emo: Where Girls Aren't), and
c) The people who ultimately really control the hip hop industry (and pretty much all media) aren't necessarily the artists, but corporations headed by mostly white, heterosexual males.
I'm glad that Congress is giving this issue some attention (and notice what Dr. E Faye Williams had to say). I'm also glad that Master P not only apologized for his demeaning language but pledged to produce clean lyrics. But the solution is not censorship, in my opinion. The solution is making it so that it is no longer acceptable to produce degrading and misogynist images of women. We have to create a diversity of perspectives and viewpoints--those that will depict women in a context outside the heterosexual male fantasy--within the hip hop industry (and ultimately, all music and other media) if we want to see real change. To be honest, Levell Crump has a point when he says, "If by some stroke of the pen hip-hop was silenced, the issues would still be present in our communities. Drugs, violence, sexism and the criminal element were around long before hip-hop existed.''
Thoughts?
I love hip hop. As a feminist, I have always struggled with those songs and artists that uphold misogynist, racist stereotypes. But I hate that people still generalize ALL of hip hop, saying that hip hop as a genre is the problem. What these people fail to realize is that:
a) Not all hip hop artists and fans subscribe to misogynistic language and images,
b) It's not a symptom of hip hop, it's a symptom of the entire music industry--many artists/songs of other genres use degrading language and objectify women (see Emo: Where Girls Aren't), and
c) The people who ultimately really control the hip hop industry (and pretty much all media) aren't necessarily the artists, but corporations headed by mostly white, heterosexual males.
I'm glad that Congress is giving this issue some attention (and notice what Dr. E Faye Williams had to say). I'm also glad that Master P not only apologized for his demeaning language but pledged to produce clean lyrics. But the solution is not censorship, in my opinion. The solution is making it so that it is no longer acceptable to produce degrading and misogynist images of women. We have to create a diversity of perspectives and viewpoints--those that will depict women in a context outside the heterosexual male fantasy--within the hip hop industry (and ultimately, all music and other media) if we want to see real change. To be honest, Levell Crump has a point when he says, "If by some stroke of the pen hip-hop was silenced, the issues would still be present in our communities. Drugs, violence, sexism and the criminal element were around long before hip-hop existed.''
Thoughts?
Monday, September 24, 2007
Lady, You Can Drive My Car
Go Saudi women!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/23/AR2007092300862.html?nav=rss_print/asection
So many things about this situation are incredible, if that is the right word. For one, the fact that the United States continues to support and aid a country who oppresses women so severely is astonishing. But the courage of these women should be commended. They have waited 17 years before initiating another petition, showing the fear of persecution. I hope these women are successful in their endeavor so they can ensure their own safety, as well as the safety of their families, and find some personal freedom in such a patriarchal society.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/23/AR2007092300862.html?nav=rss_print/asection
So many things about this situation are incredible, if that is the right word. For one, the fact that the United States continues to support and aid a country who oppresses women so severely is astonishing. But the courage of these women should be commended. They have waited 17 years before initiating another petition, showing the fear of persecution. I hope these women are successful in their endeavor so they can ensure their own safety, as well as the safety of their families, and find some personal freedom in such a patriarchal society.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Sexism on Campus
Hey everyone,
I haven't yet started school, but I keep getting all these emails from members of my sorority talking about "new rush outfits" and "totally awesome parties with hot frat guys" we're having in the fall. The language used to try to persuade young women to join this exclusive clique is ridiculously sexist, not to mention offensive to me as a woman, college student, and human being in general. I joined a sorority to feel togetherness, compassion, and inclusivity amongst bright, talented women. I didn't sign up for the institutionalized policy of talking behind girls' backs, judging them based on first appearances, and obsessing over things as stupid and pointless as "coordinating outfits" or trying to invite boys over from the "best" fraternities. What astounds me most is that these types of language, rules, and statements are national policies, and are funded and supported by national organizations of women, and have been for decades! It's not 1950 anymore; it's time for leaders of the national Greek community to change their blatantly stereotyping, sexist, and condescending methods of letting girls in and leaving some (most) other girls out of their exclusive little clubs.
P.S. In response to the comments a few posts down, i LOVE that commercial on MTV about condoms! I get excited every time it comes on; I wish I had that speech memorized!
I haven't yet started school, but I keep getting all these emails from members of my sorority talking about "new rush outfits" and "totally awesome parties with hot frat guys" we're having in the fall. The language used to try to persuade young women to join this exclusive clique is ridiculously sexist, not to mention offensive to me as a woman, college student, and human being in general. I joined a sorority to feel togetherness, compassion, and inclusivity amongst bright, talented women. I didn't sign up for the institutionalized policy of talking behind girls' backs, judging them based on first appearances, and obsessing over things as stupid and pointless as "coordinating outfits" or trying to invite boys over from the "best" fraternities. What astounds me most is that these types of language, rules, and statements are national policies, and are funded and supported by national organizations of women, and have been for decades! It's not 1950 anymore; it's time for leaders of the national Greek community to change their blatantly stereotyping, sexist, and condescending methods of letting girls in and leaving some (most) other girls out of their exclusive little clubs.
P.S. In response to the comments a few posts down, i LOVE that commercial on MTV about condoms! I get excited every time it comes on; I wish I had that speech memorized!
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Action
Hi Everyone, I am just checking in to make sure everyone has been reading feministing lately and found out that southwest airlines turns people, women, away when they don't approve of their clothing.....AHHHH I am going to be writing southwest a letter and so are many different women on my campus...so If you have a pen, get it out and start writing...Also go to feminisitng.com to watch the funny videos of what they used to make their female employees wear....You had to be hot, single, under 30, wear heals, etc....and now some woman is turned away for wearing exactly what they used to demand?!?!?!? ugh-
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Yet another article about Hillary Clinton in the Style section.
Last Sunday's New York Times Style magazine ran an article about female politicians. The fact that it was in the Style magazine was my first problem with it. But then, I suppose this article, titled "The Politics of Appearance: In a Realm Where Simulation is All, Authenticity May Lie in the Details," more than others that have appeared in the "Style" section of various newspapers and publications, actually has a legitimate focus on fashion and appearances. Still, I don't understand why women in politics are constantly scrutinized based on their appearance. Are they sexy or matronly? If the first, they can't be taken seriously and if the latter, they are constantly attacked because of their drab wardrobes.
Daphne Merkin, the author of the article, ultimately makes a valid point: we live in a "surface-oriented, looksist culture," to put it in her words, and that affects how we look at our leaders in government. In the political realm, where we're hard-pressed to find any authenticity, she argues, appearances matter. Especially for women:
Where I start getting annoyed with this article is when Merkin brings up Hillary Clinton. She says that voters want to see some authenticity, or at least faux-authenticity in their candidate, and that goes hand-in-hand with a consistent public image. Merkin argues that our obsession with anything to do with Hillary Clinton--anything besides, you know, her actual policies and voting record--has to do with the fact that we don't really know who she is. And then she argues that this is (at least partly) because of her lack of a consistent personal style. Um, really?
She says that Hillary wears her clothes "like armor, and for all of her newly flattering makeup[...], there is a grim determination that comes through, vitiating all the efforts to feminize and humanize her. The net effect of her discomfort is to make her seem glacial rather than vulnerable."
Oh, okay. Now she's not vulnerable enough? I understand that voters like to see some warmth and vitality and friendliness in their candidates, but when it comes to women, I have to say that we never seem to be free of the scary, ambitious, dominatrix vs. timid, vulnerable, in-her-place double standard. If Hillary Clinton is ambitious and determined, she is "glacial" (never mind the fact that we actually like those qualities in male candidates). But we all know if she tried to adopt a less visibliy ambitious persona, she wouldn't be taken seriously. Honestly, nothing she does will satisfy these people.
Merkin says near the end of the article that "the one thing that seems real about her--all too real, you might say--is her ambition." I say: so what? You have to be ambitious to run for president. And I don't think anyone can argue that Barack Obama, for example, is not equally ambitious. But we don't harp on that when it comes to Obama or any of the other male candidates because that's expected of them. Maybe Merkin meant that last statement in a more neutral way than I'm reading it, but I'm really getting sick and tired of people talking about how Hillary Clinton=ambitious=cold hard bitch.
Before going into all this Hillary stuff, Merkin first made this point:
Yes, it's very true that we live in a culture that revolves around appearances. But that doesn't make it okay to continue to micro-analyze the fashion-choices of Hillary Clinton or any other female politician (or male politician, for that matter) as serious issues in a campaign or political career. And don't even try to pretend that male politicians get the same treatment (though Merkin doesn't, to her credit). To me, this article is basically acknowledging the reasons for the harsh environment that female politicians must navigate in this country, but just resigning itself to the fact that this is the world we live in. Yeah, it's the world we live in, but it sucks, and it's still wrong when anyone perpetuates this awful double-standard by continuing the discussion. How can anyone who comments on the fact that there are people in this country who will base their vote on Nancy Pelosi's haircut not be outraged? I sure as fuck am.
Anyway, it's not necessarily this article itself that I'm taking issue with. It makes some interesting points, and it is very well-written. It's the fact that this obsession with the fashion choices, personal style, and relative attractiveness of female politicians continues to be an ongoing discussion, and I'm going to be taking issue with any journalist who, no matter how well-spoken, no matter how aware he or she is of the realities of our culture, perpetuates it. But at least it's not cleavage.
Daphne Merkin, the author of the article, ultimately makes a valid point: we live in a "surface-oriented, looksist culture," to put it in her words, and that affects how we look at our leaders in government. In the political realm, where we're hard-pressed to find any authenticity, she argues, appearances matter. Especially for women:
"We study our female politicians as closely and obsessively as we do in part because they still remain something of an anomaly--we are, quite simply, less used to women standing in the spotlight demanding our close attention--and in part because their costuming is less homogenized than men, offering up an abundance of opportunities for inductive analysis: we study their shade of lipstick, we listen for a note of defensive shrillness in their voice, we infer, we project, we accept or discount official positions for reasons that ar eneither fully conscious nor even rational."To me, this is an accurate explanation as to why we are so obsessed with appearances, and why we place our judgement so disproportionately on female politicians. As for men being subjected to our critical gaze? They all wear the same thing. "[H]ow many ways can you look at a tie...?" Merkin asks.
Where I start getting annoyed with this article is when Merkin brings up Hillary Clinton. She says that voters want to see some authenticity, or at least faux-authenticity in their candidate, and that goes hand-in-hand with a consistent public image. Merkin argues that our obsession with anything to do with Hillary Clinton--anything besides, you know, her actual policies and voting record--has to do with the fact that we don't really know who she is. And then she argues that this is (at least partly) because of her lack of a consistent personal style. Um, really?
"Who is Hillary? Will we ever know? Not, it would appear, if she can help it. She has held the stage for 15 years now and remains impenetrable, like a veiled woman. [okay, I have to interrupt here. Impenetrable? Seriously?] She is famous for her miromanagement skills[...]and for running an airtight campaign, where no one ever says anything off the record and leaks are unheard of. She seems to revel in being both visible and annonymous[...], as though this combination might add to her mystique or give her a kind of inverse glamour. But instead of being intrigued, we end up being irritated.[...]Why hasn't she landed on a signature style other than her fallback position of mix-and-match jackets or trousers? There is a discernible discomfort with who she wants to present herself as being at any particular moment."
She says that Hillary wears her clothes "like armor, and for all of her newly flattering makeup[...], there is a grim determination that comes through, vitiating all the efforts to feminize and humanize her. The net effect of her discomfort is to make her seem glacial rather than vulnerable."
Oh, okay. Now she's not vulnerable enough? I understand that voters like to see some warmth and vitality and friendliness in their candidates, but when it comes to women, I have to say that we never seem to be free of the scary, ambitious, dominatrix vs. timid, vulnerable, in-her-place double standard. If Hillary Clinton is ambitious and determined, she is "glacial" (never mind the fact that we actually like those qualities in male candidates). But we all know if she tried to adopt a less visibliy ambitious persona, she wouldn't be taken seriously. Honestly, nothing she does will satisfy these people.
Merkin says near the end of the article that "the one thing that seems real about her--all too real, you might say--is her ambition." I say: so what? You have to be ambitious to run for president. And I don't think anyone can argue that Barack Obama, for example, is not equally ambitious. But we don't harp on that when it comes to Obama or any of the other male candidates because that's expected of them. Maybe Merkin meant that last statement in a more neutral way than I'm reading it, but I'm really getting sick and tired of people talking about how Hillary Clinton=ambitious=cold hard bitch.
Before going into all this Hillary stuff, Merkin first made this point:
"It is easy to accuse those who presume to comment on the wardrobe, hair or cosmetics of women in government as trivializing them and failing to respond to their intellect or rectitude. But it is also a wishful argument, a posture that is in denial, if you will, about the fact that we live in a profoundly surface-oriented, looksist culture that has permeated our way of percieving those who would be in charge of our lives. Women are implicated every bit as much as men int he pajama-party speculation that fuels the politics of appearance; shortly after Nancy Pelosi appeared on "Face the Nation" last January, Nora Ephron posted a blog entry in which she mused about the speaker's too-short haircut. Much as we like to think we vote on issues like abortion or gay rights, female candidates by necessity bring too much baggage--literal baggage, as in what to pack beyond a change of underwear--along with them when they go out on the hustings."
Yes, it's very true that we live in a culture that revolves around appearances. But that doesn't make it okay to continue to micro-analyze the fashion-choices of Hillary Clinton or any other female politician (or male politician, for that matter) as serious issues in a campaign or political career. And don't even try to pretend that male politicians get the same treatment (though Merkin doesn't, to her credit). To me, this article is basically acknowledging the reasons for the harsh environment that female politicians must navigate in this country, but just resigning itself to the fact that this is the world we live in. Yeah, it's the world we live in, but it sucks, and it's still wrong when anyone perpetuates this awful double-standard by continuing the discussion. How can anyone who comments on the fact that there are people in this country who will base their vote on Nancy Pelosi's haircut not be outraged? I sure as fuck am.
Anyway, it's not necessarily this article itself that I'm taking issue with. It makes some interesting points, and it is very well-written. It's the fact that this obsession with the fashion choices, personal style, and relative attractiveness of female politicians continues to be an ongoing discussion, and I'm going to be taking issue with any journalist who, no matter how well-spoken, no matter how aware he or she is of the realities of our culture, perpetuates it. But at least it's not cleavage.
Condom Commercial
Has any one seen this commercial?
I am almost sad to say that I have seen it because it airs on MTV, and while I think the programs on MTV slowly kill your soul, this commercial is amazing. I love how it reaches out to our generation like never seen before. It doesn't hide that sex is something young people decide to do, and it shows a young girl standing up and saying no to sex unless the man takes on some responsibility. Sadly, this commercial will only be aired on MTV, but of course, it is a MTV awareness program. I checked out the website a little bit and it is very impressive as well, providing information on HIV/AIDS and STD's, pregnancy, and where you can get tested. Now, if only we can get the rest of our television stations and America to acknowledge this need to educate our generation about safe sex.
I am almost sad to say that I have seen it because it airs on MTV, and while I think the programs on MTV slowly kill your soul, this commercial is amazing. I love how it reaches out to our generation like never seen before. It doesn't hide that sex is something young people decide to do, and it shows a young girl standing up and saying no to sex unless the man takes on some responsibility. Sadly, this commercial will only be aired on MTV, but of course, it is a MTV awareness program. I checked out the website a little bit and it is very impressive as well, providing information on HIV/AIDS and STD's, pregnancy, and where you can get tested. Now, if only we can get the rest of our television stations and America to acknowledge this need to educate our generation about safe sex.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
the word Women
I am going to reiterate a conversation I had with my boyfriend last night - It went like this
me- "I am going to make a sticker that says "respect women: don't buy this product." and I'm going to go to the local book store and put them on anything I find offensive" - I am planning on putting them on disgusting magazines. I have already spoken to the manager about my feelings and he laughed in my face and said its funny because sometimes, to be funny, those magazines end up in the little kids section...(you see my anger?)
Him- "Hmmmm....I see your point but I'm not sure you should say "women." Maybe you should say "respect individuals or people." Because using the word women has such bad connotations these days."
Me- "WHAT?! I'm not even saying feminist, or using the woman symbol...just the word women. How can my sex have a negative connotation to the word?!?!?! My whole point is to make it not have any negative connotations. The second I want a woman treated differently I am some idealist communist. Its the whole point to use the word women and you just proved my point why I need to do this."
Anyways, you get the point...Now can someone help explain to me how the word woman has all of a sudden become taboo? I really dont get it. Well my theory is, men are very very secretly terrified of women taking over....Its not just scary talking about feminists anymore- its scary talking about women in general. WTF
me- "I am going to make a sticker that says "respect women: don't buy this product." and I'm going to go to the local book store and put them on anything I find offensive" - I am planning on putting them on disgusting magazines. I have already spoken to the manager about my feelings and he laughed in my face and said its funny because sometimes, to be funny, those magazines end up in the little kids section...(you see my anger?)
Him- "Hmmmm....I see your point but I'm not sure you should say "women." Maybe you should say "respect individuals or people." Because using the word women has such bad connotations these days."
Me- "WHAT?! I'm not even saying feminist, or using the woman symbol...just the word women. How can my sex have a negative connotation to the word?!?!?! My whole point is to make it not have any negative connotations. The second I want a woman treated differently I am some idealist communist. Its the whole point to use the word women and you just proved my point why I need to do this."
Anyways, you get the point...Now can someone help explain to me how the word woman has all of a sudden become taboo? I really dont get it. Well my theory is, men are very very secretly terrified of women taking over....Its not just scary talking about feminists anymore- its scary talking about women in general. WTF
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Career Women in Japan Find a Blocked Path
Article from the New York Times:
Career Women in Japan Find a Blocked Path
By MARTIN FACKLER
Published: August 6, 2007
Despite a law promising equal opportunity, women in Japan have had trouble reaching positions of authority.
read the full article here.
Career Women in Japan Find a Blocked Path
By MARTIN FACKLER
Published: August 6, 2007
Despite a law promising equal opportunity, women in Japan have had trouble reaching positions of authority.
read the full article here.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Street Harassment: Every woman's favorite part of leaving her home
So I was sitting outside of a suburban Target waiting for my ride, when a group of young men (I think the youngest was probably around 14 and the oldest in his early 20's) walked past me. One of them said "Hi, how are you doing," or something to that effect, but I wasn't paying attention to them at all so I didn't realize he was talking to me. When he said "Hi" again, I realized he might be talking to me, but I didn't respond. Maybe it was rude of me to ignore them, but I felt uncomfortable, partly because I didn't even know if he was talking to me (after all, I had never seen these guys in my life...it's reasonable for me to assume they were talking to someone else-right?) but mostly because I had a feeling it wasn't a neighborly sort of "Hi," it was a "How you doin', baby" kind of "Hi."
Anyway, I ignored them and they kept walking, but, apparantly indignant at my lack of response, talked loudly amongst themselves about how I hadn't said "Hi" back. They said things like, "I was just trying to be polite," and "That girl wasn't all that fine anyway," and then they concluded with calling me a "Bitch."
I'm no stranger to street harassment, having grown up in a mid-sized city and having lived in New York for the past year. But I can't seem to escape it, even when sitting outside a Target in Suburbia, and that really frustrates me. I always feel like silence is not the most constructive response to street harassers--I want them to know it's not okay to act like any woman on the street is theirs to look at, talk to, and expect a welcoming response from. I want them to think about what they're doing, and understand that I don't actually like it when they tell me to give them a smile. At the same time, being put in a situation that makes me very uncomfortable (and, in extreme cases, makes me fear for my safety) quite frankly makes me speechless. So my question to you is: Do you respond to street harassers, whether it's something so seemingly innocuous as a "Hello" or something more creepy? If so, what do you say? Or, if not, what do you think the best solution is to creating an environment where street harassment is no longer acceptable? (Your own street harrassment stories and general thoughts on street harrassment are also welcome!)
Anyway, I ignored them and they kept walking, but, apparantly indignant at my lack of response, talked loudly amongst themselves about how I hadn't said "Hi" back. They said things like, "I was just trying to be polite," and "That girl wasn't all that fine anyway," and then they concluded with calling me a "Bitch."
I'm no stranger to street harassment, having grown up in a mid-sized city and having lived in New York for the past year. But I can't seem to escape it, even when sitting outside a Target in Suburbia, and that really frustrates me. I always feel like silence is not the most constructive response to street harassers--I want them to know it's not okay to act like any woman on the street is theirs to look at, talk to, and expect a welcoming response from. I want them to think about what they're doing, and understand that I don't actually like it when they tell me to give them a smile. At the same time, being put in a situation that makes me very uncomfortable (and, in extreme cases, makes me fear for my safety) quite frankly makes me speechless. So my question to you is: Do you respond to street harassers, whether it's something so seemingly innocuous as a "Hello" or something more creepy? If so, what do you say? Or, if not, what do you think the best solution is to creating an environment where street harassment is no longer acceptable? (Your own street harrassment stories and general thoughts on street harrassment are also welcome!)
Thursday, August 2, 2007
feminism
What is your definition of a feminist?
Everyone has soooo many thoughts about what a feminist is and I thought I would be the first to clear the air and say no one is right! Simply because every single individual probably has their own answer. I find this so liberating to know that everyone is thinking for themselves but it's also frustrating becasue when I look up feminist on dictionary.com I see, "the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men. "
In a way this is correct, yet it makes me angry becasue the words "equal to those of men" sounds like I have something to live up to..live up to be more like a man..I dont want to be more like a man I just want equal respect, opportunity etc...
Also this definition makes me weary because I feel that men cannot be left out in the movement. Rape is not going to stop until men stop raping! And time after time I hear my male friends, who act as though they are feminists, completely shy away from the word because they do not see themselves in the definition. The definition cleary is talking about women and they are not a woman so...they do not claim it for their own. (part of me is thinking women always feel left out of everything so I'm not sorry that you're not included in one thing!) but the other part of me is thinking feminism is about every issue interconnecting with every other issue and we strive for the equal respect of everyone, not just women.
So- Here is my definition of what a feminist is to me. Please comment back and tell me what feminism is to you!
"I am fighting until every human being knows their self worth, until every human being has a say in their life, until every oppressed person has equal respect and until everyone is able to lead the life they choose while feeling comfortable and safe doing so."
Everyone has soooo many thoughts about what a feminist is and I thought I would be the first to clear the air and say no one is right! Simply because every single individual probably has their own answer. I find this so liberating to know that everyone is thinking for themselves but it's also frustrating becasue when I look up feminist on dictionary.com I see, "the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men. "
In a way this is correct, yet it makes me angry becasue the words "equal to those of men" sounds like I have something to live up to..live up to be more like a man..I dont want to be more like a man I just want equal respect, opportunity etc...
Also this definition makes me weary because I feel that men cannot be left out in the movement. Rape is not going to stop until men stop raping! And time after time I hear my male friends, who act as though they are feminists, completely shy away from the word because they do not see themselves in the definition. The definition cleary is talking about women and they are not a woman so...they do not claim it for their own. (part of me is thinking women always feel left out of everything so I'm not sorry that you're not included in one thing!) but the other part of me is thinking feminism is about every issue interconnecting with every other issue and we strive for the equal respect of everyone, not just women.
So- Here is my definition of what a feminist is to me. Please comment back and tell me what feminism is to you!
"I am fighting until every human being knows their self worth, until every human being has a say in their life, until every oppressed person has equal respect and until everyone is able to lead the life they choose while feeling comfortable and safe doing so."
Monday, July 30, 2007
Welcome
Hello Friends and Feminists,
We are a group of young women passionate about young feminist issues, and eager to share our opinions with other progressive individuals. We got together and decided to make this blog, "feminist verve," to serve as a safe space where women and men alike can share their thoughts, concerns, innovations, or revelations about the young feminist movement.
On a personal note, I feel that today's young feminists are not given an appropriate outlet for their frustrations, and their voice is often lost in the cries of an older, different feminism. While I find it crucial that young and old feminists work together to advance the overall movement and find things in common, it is also necessary that young feminists be heard in the things they view on a different plane if feminism is ever going to move forward.
I would love to know what you think some of these differing issues are, as well as how today's generation of women identifies itself.
We are a group of young women passionate about young feminist issues, and eager to share our opinions with other progressive individuals. We got together and decided to make this blog, "feminist verve," to serve as a safe space where women and men alike can share their thoughts, concerns, innovations, or revelations about the young feminist movement.
On a personal note, I feel that today's young feminists are not given an appropriate outlet for their frustrations, and their voice is often lost in the cries of an older, different feminism. While I find it crucial that young and old feminists work together to advance the overall movement and find things in common, it is also necessary that young feminists be heard in the things they view on a different plane if feminism is ever going to move forward.
I would love to know what you think some of these differing issues are, as well as how today's generation of women identifies itself.
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