My feminism is constantly growing and throughout the last six months it has changed immensely. I will be the first to admit that my feminism is on thin ice. To get personal is the only way I think I will be able to thoroughly explain how my feminism has changed. Five months ago I ended a relationship with someone who really brought my feminism down. Surprisingly, we met in a Women’s Studies classroom, but that does not make someone a feminist nor does it give them any understanding of feminism. He was quick to dismiss any conversation that involved the topic of feminism and whenever I would bring up what I had learned in a specific class, he argued it. My feminism was in pieces. When we had finally broken up, I started to get back to who I used to be and that included my feminism. I began dating someone new, who had no prior knowledge of feminism, but who surprises me every day with how aware he is of feminism. Easy to say, I am getting back on track.
My feminism is still small scale and I am fairly comfortable saying that it will always be small scale. I am quite quiet and shy and I don’t see myself making giant leaps for any cause. My feminism is always going to reflect my position in my life. I believe that it is going to make its biggest mark on those closest to me. I am becoming more and more aware of the world around me and I am making those near to me aware as well. It is a really good feeling knowing that my feminism is back to where it once was and is growing and expanding. Though my University education is ending come April, I know that my understanding of feminism is going to be in constant motion, always looking for new things to learn and new ways to grow. I am very confident when I say that my feminism is not going anywhere.
Erin,
ReplyDeleteA lot of people have been finding that their feminism is constantly growing; I am one of those people. I believe that the constant growth and change represents progress. We live in a society where nothing ever stays the same for long, so why should a theory that we apply to our lives stay the same. One thing that I really identified with was having a small scale feminism. If I’ve learned anything from Women’s Studies classes is that there is no such thing as too small. I love how we don’t have to be extremely active and involved but are still able to advocate and not be judged. I’m glad that your feminism is going back to where it once was.
Overall, this was a really great personal blog.
Erin,
ReplyDeleteReading your piece I came across this line, "It is a really good feeling knowing that my feminism is back to where it once was and is growing and expanding." I believe that it is very important to never stop growing and expanding your thoughts and knowledge, weather being about school, work or even the world. People who appreciate you, are the people who will help you in the long run and they will be truthful to you. I have learned a lot being in Women Studies and I totally agree with Ashley that nothing is to small.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading your piece and I think you are very brace to share something that personal with us and letting us in to get to know more about your feminism.
Great Job.
Erin,
ReplyDeleteI felt that I could relate to your blog, especially the “small scale feminism”. I am quite shy and quiet too and I know that I will not be out there in your face for any cause either. But the one thing that I always remember was when our class spoke with Jessica Yee and she told us that we are all activists, even if we are not protesting on parliament’s front lawn. It is always good to remember that advocating for ourselves and our feminism is not unimportant or considered to be too small to care about.
I very much enjoyed reading your blog and I thought that it was very honest. I know that it can be hard to share personal experiences with others, but I feel that it made your blog more relatable because most of us probably at one time or another has encountered someone who has dismissed our feminism too. But I am glad to hear that you have been able to move past your negative experiences to get your feminism back on track.
Erin,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your honesty. I really enjoyed your blog. I am a firm believer in one step at a time. I see a lot of this in what you wrote. You may not be comfortable in the spotlight, but each of us has an important role to play in change. Spreading awareness and changing minds is vital to feminism and to change.
I am glad that you were able to reclaim feminism as a part of yourself. Each of us encounters people who are not supportive or shoot down our ideas and beliefs.
I can really relate to you when you say your feminism is changing and growing. Mine is also. It is important that we, as feminists, support each other as our ideas change and grow.
Thank you again for your honesty and making change happen, one step at a time.