Due to the fact that I was not aware of feminism until I entered university, and because my knowledge now continues to expand, I believe that it is important for feminists not to judge people’s lack of awareness or knowledge of feminism. Now that I am very close to becoming a teacher, my hope is that I can educate boys and girls about the importance of feminism so that the misunderstandings about the term will be eliminated. I want to spread the word that feminism is not a negative thing, and that there is so much more to it; it allows people to be empowered and to become active citizens. Feminism can be whatever you want it to be. It does not ask you to conform to it, it conforms to you. I am a third wave feminist, so I embrace this aspect of myself and do not try to hide it.
Therefore, I live my life by a specific set of feminist principles:
· I am part of the third wave of feminism, and to me that means that my feminism is not your feminism.
· Never judge someone on what Jessica Valenti classifies as a “closet feminist” (Valenti 27). It may just be that they do not understand feminism, and are afraid to identify as a feminist. Feminism is about being inclusive to all people.
· Feminism should not be thought of as a bad word. Feminism is about change, about a redistribution of power. It is about challenging the status quo. As a feminist, I want to be involved in feminism; I want to make a change. By modeling appropriate behaviour, I have already begun to illicit change when I am in the classroom with young students. It is my job as an educator to provide every student with essential tools such as the skills, self-confidence and mind-set needed to foster development.
· As Susan Darraj says, “I could be a feminist in a way that suited my life, not in a way in which feminism would mold me to its ideal shape (Darraj 310). The single, most important thing I have learned is that third wave feminism is about being inclusive and making one’s own choices. I can be a feminist in a way that suits my own life.
· Feminism has taught me to be comfortable in my own skin and be proud of who I am as a woman. It allows me to stand up for what I believe in, have control over my own body, to be proud of the woman I am, and to fight for my rights. Feminism allows me to live an empowered life.
Sources
Darraj, Susan M. "It's Not an Oxymoron." Colonize This! Young Women of
Colour on Today's Feminism (2002): 295-311. Emeryville, CA: Seal.
Valenti, Jessica K. "You're a Feminist. Deal." M. Berger (Ed.) We Don't Need
Another Wave: Dispatches from the Next Generation of Feminists
(2006): 23-27. Seal Press.
Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your manifesto for many reasons. I think that it is so important to teach young children what feminism is at a young age, and by teaching them about gender equality and oppression helps them become more productive and aware citizens within their society. I feel that by becoming a teacher and teaching other children what feminism really is, you are using your power to create a new generation of children an understanding of feminism that is inclusive to all individuals.
I found it very inspirational when you say that "my feminism is not your feminism." Often times, we think of ourselves as feminists who have this one great collective goal, however, each individual has been faced with so many different issues, that it is at times hard to find one single issue to fight for. I am most positive that although you and I call ourselves third wave feminists, that if we had to choose one issue to battle, they would be different. Also, I feel that when you place individuals who have been through similar experiences to protest a certain issue, then you identify with the concept that their own personal oppression is political, rather than have women with varying concerns join together to reach many smaller goals.
Furthermore, you use Susan Darraj's concept of feminism as a way to suit one's own personal life. I definitely agree with this, and I found it very suitable that you used this quote. I feel that feminism is there for us to use to suit our own personal oppressions, that feminism can be used to target whatever issue we see fit. I also think that this includes the way we dress, what we protest and how we use our resources to reach a goal that promotes equality and empowerment.
Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your manifesto. I think that you wanting to teach your students about feminism is a very important lesson for them to learn and understand. I think that teaching them about gender equality will help alleviate issues that are currently found in classrooms today.
I felt that the principles of your manifesto were very relatable to some of my own principles. I totally agree that feminism is about change and challenging the status quo, which is a point I discussed in my own manifesto. I also think that what Susan Darraj says about being a “feminist in a way that suited my life, not in a way in which feminism would mold me to its ideal shape” is an important concept for feminists to remember. I feel that this also relates to one of the principles in my manifesto “you are the creator of your own life” and connect with another principle you mentioned that “my feminism is not your feminism”. I think sometimes as feminists we forget that everyone has their own ideas about feminism and their own issues they fight for. Therefore, I feel that this concept illustrates that there is no mold that all feminists fit into and each of us is unique.
Overall, I feel that your manifesto was very inspirational and relatable. The principles you live by will help teach and shape individuals of today, as well as the generations of tomorrow.
Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI like your blog for the simplicity of it. I love how you share such a powerful message without all the theoretical jargon. This makes it not only relatable, but it allows anyone who may have no previous knowledge of feminism to grasp the ideals you live by. I believe it is very important to teach people about feminist values from a young age; for then we (as a society) can hopefully eradicate inequalities. Overall, I think you did a great job. :)