I am a feminist. Unlike girl genius extraordinaire Tavi Gevinson, it took me about 20 years of my life to be able to comfortably state that. This was partly due to the social stigma around the word, but mostly due to the lack of a label for feelings of frustration I can trace back to when I was labeled a slut by other girls just for having lots of guy friends and a boyfriend in 9th grade.
What makes me a feminist?
1.Equality. I hold a deep seeded belief that all people are equal regardless of gender identity, sex, race, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, socioeconomic status, weight, health, ability etc.
2. Opportunity. Going in line with the belief that all people are equal, I believe that all people deserve equal opportunities. I support equal pay, Title IX, and goddammit I want to see more women, LGBT people, and people of color in positions of power!
3. I hate double standards. I spent three semesters studying the sexual double standard as part of my undergraduate thesis. Double standards go beyond sexual activity. Women are held to different standards than men, and it's not fair.
4. Choice. I believe that all people have the right to make the decisions that affect their health, happiness, and well being. For me choice goes beyond reproductive rights. Choice is about options and freedom. It is the choice to marry, or not marry, whomever you want and to have children, or to not have children. It's the choice to stay home with those children or the choice to be a working parent. It's the choice to live where you want, wear what you want, eat what you want, and practice whatever religion you want.
5. Empowerment. Everyone deserves to find their own voice. Being a part of the VDay movement, working with Boston GLOW, and even starting this blog have helped me find mine.
Want to hear more? Next Wednesday, October 3rd, I'm partnering with Boston GLOW for "These Clothes Were Made for Talking". It will be a discussion and networking event for women, exploring fashion and feminism- what our clothes say about us and whether they should shut the hell up!
If you're in New England please come by! If you don't identify as a feminist, please don't be intimidated. We're just looking to have a good discussion, maybe a few drinks, and a lot of fun! If you use the discount code "Spitfire" you'll get admission for $2! Purchase tickets HERE.
i'm with you! good for you for you for participating in that forum. it sounds very interesting!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, LOVE those pants (I know you've sported them before and I'm late in sharing my pants-crush wif ya...forgive me!) I very much like how many different "looks" you can create - all equally flattering! Secondly, this may be my favorite post since you began blogging. I completely agree/identify with every single one of your Friday facts. Wish we had a DC GLOW! And I remember your thesis vividly - it was, for lack of a better word, EPIC. So much love for my Tash
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks Jilliebeans! The pants are actually blue jeans, but I have blue dress pants too. Miss you and glad you enjoyed the post:)
DeleteLove this post. I do not label myself as a feminist by any means... BUT with that being said I 100% agree with you on everything you have said here! I think we need to change and live everyone an opportunity and an equal one. Actually this timing of a post is funny because the women at my work just had a meeting about "being a women and working at my company" and I learned out of fortune 500, FIVE women are CEOs... I think that statistic says a lot, and its not because we are not educated/qualified. That is for sure!
ReplyDeleteSara
http://seventwentysomethings.blogspot.com/
Isn't that CEO stat crazy? The stat for women in public office is equally abysmal. I think you're a feminist, but you don't have to call yourself one if you don't want to :)
Delete... And this is why I love you. Though I don't label myself or really think of myself as a feminist, I of course agree with you on this. I won't be able to go to the event, but I hope you do a full recap here afterwards! :)
ReplyDeletexo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee
Thanks Yi-chia! I'll post a recap next week:)
DeleteSuch an awesome post! Women are always afraid to admit to being a feminist (which I am too!) in fear of being called a "man hater" or worse. Kudos to you for being true to yourself and your prinicples!
ReplyDeleteExactly! Thanks:)
DeleteGreat post, Tashia! Good for you for taking a stance.
ReplyDeleteYou & me both, my friend.
ReplyDeleteI saw your tweet about this event and forgot to respond because I wanted to check my schedule first. I have class that night, but if nothing too terribly important is going on, I'm going to try to make it.
xo,
Hannah
www.chillairandperfume.blogspot.com
Sorry you couldn't make it. We should still be friends in "real life" anyways:)
DeleteIt's so funny. I had a female student the other day ask me if she was a feminist, and she said it all whispery and secretive . I just laughed and say, "Uh, yeah!" She asked me, "Is that a bad thing?" It was wonderful to get to explain to her that it was definitely not a bad thing!
ReplyDeleteI was totally that girl! Even though the values were there all along, it took me until midway through college to be comfortable with the label.
DeleteI'm pretty sure we're all feminists, as none of us are against equal rights for women! It's really sad how "feminist" has become such a bad word in our society, to the point where you yell, "FEMINIST!" at someone and they back right off. :P Nothing wrong with wanting equal rights, most feminists don't really want to neuter men. (Sorry, I'm coming across as a grumpy old lady here, I apologize. I've had this talk with so many people and the misconceptions about what feminists are is insane. We're not men-hating nazis.)
ReplyDeleteOne thing I love about your blog Tashia is that you are a outspoken feminist and you've never beat around the bush about it. I love your posts on the events and organizations you attend and work on, it gives me so much respect for you. This post would have to be one of my favorites, I love how you proudly stand up for rights for everyone. You are one awesome lady.
Thanks Katie! I figure if I can't be myself, then what's the point in blogging?
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