When I first came to university, I only had a very basic idea what feminism was and what it meant to me. Over the years, that idea has continued to grow and expand based on what I have learned in and outside the classroom. My feminism is based on my own experiences, ideas, thoughts, and issues that I care deeply about. My feminism focuses on progress and change, as well as acceptance of yourself. My feminism has been influence by women such as Steinem and Butler, but also by the women in my life, who have taught me and helped me sustain feminist ideals in my life. My feminism is a part of me, not separate from anything i do. My feminism will always be changing and evolving as I continue to grow and learn as a person.
Manifesto
Live life your own way. You are the creator of your own life; refuse to give that up to anyone else. Be authentic.
Share your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. It is good to be able to communicate, connect, and express yourself to others, as well as yourself.
Love yourself and all those who matter to you.
Embrace differences. Imagine yourself in someone else's shoes. Listen and learn from those whose thoughts and experiences differ from your own. Be accepting of their uniqueness.
Listen to your heart. Your family, Your friends. They are the people you choose to surround yourself with, they are your support system and are looking out for you.
Share your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. It is good to be able to communicate, connect, and express yourself to others, as well as yourself.
Love yourself and all those who matter to you.
Embrace differences. Imagine yourself in someone else's shoes. Listen and learn from those whose thoughts and experiences differ from your own. Be accepting of their uniqueness.
Listen to your heart. Your family, Your friends. They are the people you choose to surround yourself with, they are your support system and are looking out for you.
Challenge yourself to go there. Push others to experience the uncomfortable. Use your voice to challenge that status quo and any injustices you see or may experience.
Learn something new, as well as from the mistakes you have made. This will allow you to reflect upon the past and look towards the future. It will continue the process of growing and evolving into a stronger human being.
Dream big. Anything is possible if you just have enough nerve to achieve it.
Learn something new, as well as from the mistakes you have made. This will allow you to reflect upon the past and look towards the future. It will continue the process of growing and evolving into a stronger human being.
Dream big. Anything is possible if you just have enough nerve to achieve it.
Victoria,
ReplyDeleteNot only is the language in your manifesta powerful, but also the way it was written. For this kind of writing, I like short "active tense" phrasing instead of passive or "flowy" writing, and it was nice to see your manifesta take that shape! I think your passion comes off clearer with this kind of writing, or that you have a relatively solid understanding of who you are and what your beliefs are. It's strong.
I found "Challenge yourself to go there. Push others to experience the uncomfortable. Use your voice to challenge that status quo and any injustices you see or may experience" to be incredibly relevant to my own beliefs concerning feminism! I even stated in my own manifesta that "comfort is the enemy" or something similar, so I'm glad that you agree! I think comfort can make us forget about our own privilege and just how fortunate the majority of us are.
I know many feminists look to Butler, and I am also one of those people, but is she ever inspirational! Her writing on gender performativity really made me question a lot of things that I had previously believed were pretty solid or, at the very least, well formed, in my own identity. I wonder how she inspired you?
Hi Victoria,
ReplyDeleteI like the way you have write your manifesto and it is total true when you said learn something new, as well as from mistake you have made. I believe that as human we do have to learn from what we do, and we have to be open minded to learn from others. Live your life...Be authentic, I find it one of the things that as women some of us we forget to put ourself first. Speaking from experience, I used to think that it was important live for others, before yourself but I no longer feel this way thanks to many feminist who opened my eyes.
Thanks for sharing.