I believe in the critical process

My feminist manifesto calls for the individual to be conscious of their actions and the effect which they play on the reality of others. The human experience is more than paid wage labour which builds the fortunes of others and we must condemn the exploitation of others for the sake of consumption at home and around the world. I believe in a world where we function with the natural environment, not as rulers or dominators. My feminism challenges the consumer culture and capitalist paradigm which threatens our ability to live consciously and responsibly. While feminism provides an abstract collection of voices, here I seek to fuse characteristics of Marxism, Environmentalism, and academia with a critique of consumer and popular culture. My feminist manifesto is inspired in part by the work of Marx and Engels in The Communist Manifesto and the work of Kalle Lasn in Culture Jam and various Adbusters publications.

ManifestO opus

I believe in the critical process. I will navigate my worldly experience as a thinking, conscious being. I will criticize, question, and challenge because it is my right to engage with my environment and investigate the reality which I have been presented. My humanity demands that I am engaged, turned on, at attention, and critical of what I am doing, seeing, and saying.

To exist is not to suffer, and the spirit of my personhood will not be regulated by committee. I will filter the noise, no matter how deafening, overbearing, or crippling it becomes. I will judge the system for myself and not blindly follow the voices of pundits, politicians, or dooms-day preachers. I will construct my own, individual understanding of our world which draws from words, sounds, and experiences. I will not surrender my autonomy when confronted with the call for passive silence. I will not condone the autonomy of others to be stolen away. I will act, not hesitate.

I will not live my life in isolation through a continuous series of ones and zeros. I will interact with my world on the physical level. I will feel and live the textures, sensations, and emotions which the universe has given me the freedom to experience. I am a member of the environment, not a ruler over it. Sustainability cannot be an occasional token; sustainability must be a daily consciousness.

I recognize that to walk freely without fear, the ability to sit and critique my world and have access to sustenance which far exceeds my basic human needs is a luxury which is not granted to all peoples. My freedom will not be abandoned and I will not infringe on the freedom of others. I will remember my state of privilege and make motions to extend my privilege onto others.

The acquisition of money and influence will not regulate my worldly experience. Greed and manipulation will not rule my life or be associated with my personhood.

I will consume consciously. I will acknowledge the underprivileged, the misused, and the exploited and not give support to those who maintain these systems of injustice. The exchange of my coin and labour will positively contribute to that which is good and worthy in this world.

It is wrong for any person to be victimized or dominated by another. A political or economic system which disadvantages its members cannot be endorsed. I will advocate equality. I will advocate my feminism.

I intend to live. Not frivolously, but with purpose which considers the needs those around me and those whom I will never meet. To forget or ignore the needs and rights of my neighbour and fellow citizen is to give licence for mine to be as quickly thrown away. We are connected. I intend to take responsibility for what I produce, be it physical or invisible.

I will keep what is sacred. I will love.

Blog 2 assignment: Write a personal manifesto!

According to Wikipedia a manifesto is "a public declaration of principles and intentions..."  For this blog assignment write a personal manifesto on your feminism.  Consider and make reference to at least two research sources to develop an opening statement.  This preamble is your personal belief statement about feminism.  Following the paragraph you will create a list of your main feminist principles to live by.  


Try to keep your post between 300-500 words, but length isn't as important as the quality of thinking and writing.  Post your blog as a New Post on this Home page.  You will then be able to comment on others' posts directly under each.


For more information and examples, go to: 
 http://e.piphanies.com/manifesto.php
http://curriculumreform.org/curriculum-reform-manifesto/

Listening as a Feminist Tool

This week I’ve been thinking about being a feminist presence in the world around me. How do I use my voice to encourage or undermine other women’s positive, feminist efforts? When should I speak and when is my silence called for so others can process and express their experiences and thoughts?

Many of us have felt silenced or disregarded in countless areas of our lives. Once we find our voice and the courage to use it, it is often tempting to speak at every opportunity. But this week I’m reflecting on the power of listening as a tool of feminism.

By listening I mean really taking the time to focus on what someone else is saying, not with an eye toward responding, but in a true, open effort to understand that person’s ideas and point of view. Open listening gives me the chance to connect with another person on a human, caring level. Even if I disagree with what the person is saying, open listening can help me understand where she is coming from and be at peace with the differences in our perspectives.

If you’ve ever had the experience of being truly listened to – when someone looks you in the eye and really focuses on what you’re saying, asking thoughtful questions that tell you she is engaged with your thoughts and ideas – you know how validating and affirming the experience is. As we work to develop and express our feminist voices, let’s each consider how we can also encourage the development of MANY voices and perspectives by working on the skill of active, open listening as well.

What is a Feminist Voice?

I'm starting with the idea that "Feminist voice" is any expression that seeks to end sexism and promote gender equality in personal and public spheres. This can include: spoken words, written text, images, music, films/videos and lived actions that lead by example. Voice can include silence when it is consciously used to articulate resistance to sexism or to affirm women's strengths, contributions and equality.

Because women's perspectives, experiences and ideas have been largely ignored and dismissed throughout history and in individual lives, many of us have difficulty discerning and sharing our voices. It takes courage and commitment to forge a feminist path in the world, but many have done it before us and many will offer us support along the way.

Here we'll explore methods, challenges, venues, and opportunities for living and expressing our feminism in our homes, communities and the world.