As a rational thinking person, I reserve the right to change my mind when presented with new information. While this is relatively simple, it seems that my position on feminism is constantly evolving. My feminism does not change with dramatic alterations; rather it develops new angles and perspectives as I digest new discourses. With the reading of new material, interaction with new media and engaging in grand conversations, my understanding of feminism is constantly susceptible to modifications.
Is this a good thing? Does it demonstrate an inability to ground myself in a firm position and maintain my perspective? Or, do these shifts demonstrate an enhancement of my feminism and critical reflection of my standpoint? I doubt that I am the only one out there who experiences these thoughts, and as a relative newcomer to feminism I expect that most young feminist experience this evolution. I think that it is meaningful to see your individual concept of feminism change. If it was stagnant, would it not show an absence of interaction and growth? I think that my feminism is ‘feminism in motion’.
At the age of 22 with only a mere handful of experience with literature, theory, and the world outside of academia can I really solidify my feminism this early? I get excited when I can take on new ideas and make them my own. I look forward to being hit in the face with a theoretical standpoint or the shared experience of a peer which shifts my thinking. To have my social consciousness changed when faced with new art, ideas, and experiences is both beautiful and sacred. My willingness to modify my outlook evidences my desire to reach the most complete perspective.
Looking back to the beginning of the scholastic year I have taken on an incredible volume of academic materials and have engaged with too many pieces of media and conversations to count. Furthermore, my experiences in the last six months range from writing research papers on the feminism and activism of others to taking part in a significant student movement on this campus. To be mindful of these interactions is to consider a multitude of small, minuscule changes which contribute to a larger progression.
My concept of feminism has gone from minimizing the role of patriarchy to incorporating it fully. I now cite this mechanism as crucial to the continued cycle of oppression and key to understanding the relationship which contemporary social structures have within our capitalist paradigm. For example, working with the texts of Heidi Hartmann has contributed towards understanding what fuels patriarchal capitalistic structures.
My definition of feminism has changed from a friendly statement for the equalization between the sexes towards something which I see as impossible to provide a finite definition for as it is something which I feel the individual needs to articulate and discover independently. The work of bell hooks and Simone de Beauvoir, for example, have altered my thinking on the incomplete nature of the user-friendly equalization perspective.
My practice of feminism is something which has been dramatically affected though witnessing the work of my peers. The women in this program have challenged me to be more critical of how I practice my feminism. I am more conscious of my gendered language, addressing a group of men and women as ‘guys’, and I am critical of who I hurt and benefit with my purchasing decisions, simple as my daily cups of coffee. I recognize that activism can take place at the micro-level and that I can practice my feminism and be supportive of the feminism of others without grand demonstration. Sitting idle, comfortably surrounded by theory is not enough.
I believe in ‘feminism in motion’. As my social consciousness changes, my outlook follows, and naturally, my feminism.
Stephan,
ReplyDeleteYour blog was very insightful, and you proposed an argument that I feel not too many feminists like to think about. You ask if this position of motion does not allow you to have a firm stance on your feminism, or if these shifts allow you to think more critically about your actions and beliefs. I feel that arguments such as this can either spark an interesting discussion, or make some feel uncomfortable. I know that in my first year of university, if you were to ask me if "feminism in motion" was an ideal way to look at feminism, I would say that it would be too difficult to stray away from your own views. Going through university, and looking back at everything that I absorbed, I am able to see that my feminism has changed so much by my involvement with my peers and my community.
Furthermore, you state that the small daily actions can contribute to the larger impact on the feminist movement. I think that we sometimes forget to make these important small choices because we think so highly of larger demonstrations. It is important that as feminists who are on our path to entering into different careers, that we are mindful of our choices and actions, because they greatly impact our own feminist work.
Thanks for sharing!
Teires
I can really relate to your idea of "feminism in motion". Although I don't think I have even been able to articulate it like you did here, I have the same feelings when it comes to feminist theory and learning about oppressions. I mentioned in my blog post that when engaging with feminism, staying in a comfortable place for too long means that you are either your not being challenged or you are challenging yourself enough, and I think you expressed something similar here. I also like how you mentioned how women are challenging you to think about how you live your life, and how you accept and face these challenges. I think this is a really powerful statement!
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