I combined two images together to convey what feminism is. Feminism can be seen as the glue that helps women stand together. Feminism unites us, empowers us, and inspires us to be accept who we are. To comprehend that women are humans as well, we are not objects, we have a voice too, and that we can and will achieve! Feminism is positive and an enlightening subject but it is extremely misinterpreted!!!! Growing up and learning about feminism I remember reading and getting a lot of hate on considering myself as a feminist. Men and (some women) view feminism as an act of war! When it isn’t, it is a way for women to be able to express themselves and to stand up for their rights.

The second collage I have put together presents how those who don’t seem to understand what feminism really is, actually think it is.

This week’s reading reminded me of last year’s quarantine amid the pandemic when I read Bell Hook’s “Communion: The Female Search for Love”. My mom had given me the book and has always been very passionate about speaking to me about feminism, which is something that I’m very grateful for. Bell Hook’s is a great author because she approaches subjects in a way that feels very accessible and immediately gives definitions of concepts so that the reader can understand what she’s talking about. In her book that I read she would often talk about the fact that mostly women take gender studies courses rather than men, even though the topic is something that is important for everybody. Men typically don’t care as much about feminism because they don’t see how they benefit from it, even though for example, toxic masculinity and gender roles harmfully affect everybody. Although, at times even I didn’t want to care about learning about feminism and gender studies. I was afraid at times that I would be alienated in society for noticing or speaking up about sexism. Bell Hook’s writing made it feel more real and important to notice my self-worth enough to be able to call out things that make me uncomfortable. I also read it right before moving out with my boyfriend which was great timing as it gave me food for thought when it came to noticing gender roles around the house and things like that.

I chose these images to represent feminism because I believe that when we speak about feminism, people begin to misunderstand the concept and that is when debates, arguments, and deeper questions arise. I believe women’s rights are not far-fetched – we are not asking to be better than anyone else nor are we trying to belittle anyone else, all we are asking for is to be viewed the same, get the same opportunities and be able to be free within our society. I believe these images are a perfect quote/representation of that.

I gained much insight on these reading assignments and when I think of the term feminism, this automatically comes into my head. Beyoncé is queen of feminism.

Lyrics below, Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9mKo5K2rsU

We teach girls to shrink themselves
To make themselves smaller
We say to girls
“You can have ambition
But not too much
You should aim to be successful
But not too successful
Otherwise, you will threaten the man”
Because I am female
I am expected to aspire to marriage
I am expected to make my life choices
Always keeping in mind that
Marriage is the most important
Now marriage can be a source of
Joy and love and mutual support
But why do we teach to aspire to marriage
And we don’t teach boys the same?
We raise girls to each other as competitors
Not for jobs or for accomplishments
Which I think can be a good thing
But for the attention of men
We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings
In the way that boys are
Feminist: the person who believes in the social
Political, and economic equality of the sexes

This imagine signifies it’s important for women to stick to together and empower one another. No matter our ethnicity, class or body types.

Although many people believe feminism isn’t that important anymore since gender equality has been achieved, people like Kristin Aune tells us about how feminism is still needed today and why it still matters to young people

https://theconversation.com/amp/why-feminism-still-matters-to-young-people-91299