I watched the film “Girl Connected” which follows the stories of five young teen girls from 5 different countries, on their journeys of activism for women’s rights and female empowerment. Their stories touch upon issues like child marriage, denial of women’s access to any education, a lack of sex education and high rates of teen pregnancy. Each activist group began with a single person (each individual girl sharing her story) and often was driven by lived experiences with the issue, whether hemselves or someone close to them. They learned that power comes in numbers and brought more girls in to join their cause, and create a larger impact. One of the girls, Latifa from Bangladesh had been tried to marry off as a child and resisted. She now works to prevent child marriage by increasing awareness about the moral rights of the child’s lack of ability to consent. She is often asked why she is an activist and says, “We have faced these problems ourselves and we work so that no girl should have to suffer such a fate. So they can get educated and live beautiful lives.” She is passionate about this cause, and says that changing even one girls life/fate is worth the work.
Activism is about creating change (social, political, environmental). Activist movements usually originate within and are led by the people who are being affected. I think of activism as speaking up for a marginalized group that is being hurt, discriminated against and/or dismissed. In many activism causes, voices of white activists are the one’s being highlighted in media and listened to. The voices of the people actually being affected by the cause are frequently ignored. It is the job for white people/the “majority group” to use their voice and privilege to speak for groups that are being hurt and killed through discrimination and ignorance. I think that this line from the reading summarizes it very well, “Decentralizing yourself within an issue is about more than keeping your mouth shut. You also need to seek out ways to give up some of your space to others”
In my early years as a queer young adult, I was more active in my local LGBT organization. I participated in some LGBT summits and our Social Justice program, leading small groups. I personally want to focus on disability advocacy and animal rights activism. I think gender has a huge influence on both. Women/femmes are more likely to be dismissed around health and disability reasons, and it is life threatening. POC femmes and fat femmes are affected at higher rates. In my daily life, I try to share my experiences as a queer disabled poc person to counter ignorance and expand people’s understandings of my marginalized identities. I think I would like a part of my future activism to teach about Gender and Sexuality to our new generations.
Hello Dylan,
I also watched the film “Girl Connected” and found myself at a loss for words in regard to the courage and perseverance the girls each have. Their determination and will to end the discrimination and fight for women rights drove them to partake in activism. As you mentioned in your response, the girls are aware of the strength that numbers carry and thus have gone on to inspire more girls to join the movement, increasing their power as the number of activists goes up.
I too agree that activism is about creating change, be it social, political or environmental. It is about having the courage to stand up for those who are either discriminated against or unheard. I believe that the readings and film both capture the true essence of activism.
I think it is extremely important to advocate for those who are vulnerable, such as animals, so more power to you for wanting to hone in on the aforementioned topic. I believe that we can each do our part, in our day to day and it seems like you do that already.
Thank you for sharing!
A good film! I think it hits so hard because of how young the girls are. Their courage and strength is so admirable
Hi Dylan, while we didn’t watch the same film I kind of wish I had watched Girl Connected after reading your summary about the movie, it seems really interesting. Also, the quote you included about decentralizing one’s self from an issue to give others the platform and space to speak on it I think was really important and one hundred percent true. Another point you made about women/femmes being dismissed by health authorities is something that happens so often, especially to poc women/femmes when they actually do go to the doctor. Even in situations like giving birth women’s reactions are downplayed and they’re told they’re being dramatic while pushing a whole human out of themself.
The dismissal of BIPOC women and femmes, is definitely rooted in racism. There used to be a belief that “black people don’t feel pain the same as white people” so they used to deny them anesthetic,medicine.etc
It’s a good movie! Hits hard emotionally because of how young and strong these girls are
Hi Dylan, even I didn’t choose the movie Girl Connected, but according to your description it sounds something I would be interested in.
I agree with you that the minority group or people who are being impacted the most are the ones that can’t send the voice out and I like you mentioned it. It is a processing and unfortunately it takes time. I am glad that you are writing it here and let us know.
Hi Dylan,
We did not watch the same video but by your summary of the video, it sounds like I would enjoy it.
I agree with you when you said “In many activism causes, voices of white activists are the one’s being highlighted in media and listened to.” I agree with you because I believe that society thinks African Americans have less knowledge than White Americans.
It is a really good film! Hits hard because all of these kids are around 11-16 (im estimating) But the power in them? astounding
Hello we math the same video. I think I loved all of them because we can see the work and dedication they put in and how they do good things to improve. This leaves a lot to say as the girls worry about having a better system as it is not only the adults who are often.