When I first started in university, I had no idea what feminism was. In my first few years here, I started to gain all this information and was still a bit confused on what to do with. Then I started to refine and apply all this information to my own life in hopes of developing my own values and beliefs based on the knowledge I have gained. I can recall that it was often all over the place and the more and more people questioned me or told me their opinions, my own feminist ideas would change. It probably wasn’t until two years ago that I understood that it is ok for my feminism to be constantly changing and evolving.
I think in the last 6 months, I would have to say that this class has helped me realize a lot about myself and my feminism. I think that creating my feminist manifesto has helped me to see and validate my own feminism. I now understand that my feminism is different than someone else’s feminism and that it is totally acceptable. I also feel that my voice journal has helped to give me a voice that I probably would not have explored if it wasn’t for me taking this class.
Now that I have come to the end of my university career, I can say that I have gained a better understanding of feminism and what it means to me in my life. I am not going to be the type of person, who is out there protesting, but I applaud those who are, but I know that that is just not me. I am quite shy and I have come to realize that my feminism will remain more small scale and on a personal level. It is like what I have learned all throughout university, the "personal is political" and it is something that will always stick with me.
Victoria,
ReplyDeleteYour piece depicting your evolving feminism really spoke to my own thoughts and feelings on feminism. When I entered university, I also had no clue what feminism was, and I too was confused about how to process all of the information that was being thrown at me.
I also agree with you that it took me awhile to understand that it was okay for my feminism to constantly change and evolve over time because I was under the impression that feminism had a set definition and was the same for everyone until I learned about third wave feminism and that I was part of it.
I also find that this Seminar class has helped me to learn a lot more about my own feminism, and to also become educated on other people’s feminism as well. I also find that the voice journal serves as a voice that I never really knew I had when it comes to feminism. The journals are a place for me to write down my thoughts and then reflect on how my feminism has changed and evolved over the semester. Especially since this is also my last semester and I only have two weeks left of my university career, the voice journals show my journey through feminism.
Overall, I thought your response was very well written, and I was able to strongly identify with it!
Victoria,
ReplyDeleteI identified a lot with the struggles you expressed in your blog. I had little background knowledge of feminism before I started University as well, and I agree wholeheartedly that there are so many conflicts and questions that arise with feminism. I think understanding that feminism is never going to stop changing and evolving is a great realization.
As well, I will be the type of person who is out there protesting but that does not make them any better of a feminist than we are. Personal feminism is just as strong. Your reference of the personal being politically was a strong and relevant statement.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading your blog and really connected with it.
Victoria,
ReplyDeleteI can relate to not knowing what exactly feminism was upon entering university. It was a foreign concept to me as well. Over time, I also began to apply knowledge learnt to my personal life in order to truly understand what feminism was about. Due to the fact that there is not just one feminism, it was really difficult for me to truly appreciate it. I think that everyone goes through the process of realizing that feminism is constantly changing; I know I went through that realization. To me, the fluidity symbolizes progress. Nothing in life ever really stays the same, so why should the theory that we apply to life stay the same. As a new Women’s Studies major, I find that a lot of course and work have helped stimulate my feminism; it makes me wish that I didn’t wait until my final year to become a major.
Overall, I really enjoyed your post.