Just a few things…
Sitting here checking out the newest addition to my ever growing collection of feminist literature, (thank you Emily!), I come to the realization that I haven’t been spreading my feminism around as much as I usually do. Reading through the interviews with so many female artist pioneers is basically blowing my mind right now. I will go ahead and admit that my ever-shaking fist wavers from time to time when I decided to have a significant other. The relationship becomes the focus and a few things get shoved to the back of the fridge. I know it’s one of my things. I’m working on it. I should talk to potential lovers about my feminism more… I’ve met so many guys who claim to be all about rights and even claim to be feminists themselves… but, actions speak louder than words, and time after time I have been let down. Where do the truly feminist, available, straight men hang out in Chicago?? I could care less what they wear or listen to… just as long as there is a common respect. A second shaking fist.
I really feel as if we women of this decade, happening right now, definitely need to focus on our emotional futures. American media these days is outrageous… it’s so powerful!! Yes, we all have the whole “it’s our choice” chant in our heads but it needs to start translating into our daily lives. I’m worried that not enough strong, sister like bonds are being built between friends. It’s discouraging because a strong group of friendships can and usually will contribute to your overall happiness. I know that I love Emily because no matter what crap I’m spouting about this or that, if it’s BS and she knows it, she’ll call me on it. That’s a friend. Not just sitting and listening absent mindedly before switching the subject to yourself. Actually telling the truth, as much as it might suck to hear. I don’t mean to say that everyone appreciates the same qualities in a friend; I’m just speaking for myself here. I feel like girls aren’t being directed towards deep bonding with other girls. Cruelty is at an all time high in schools, which raises pressure to be normal and not be picked on… and don’t even get me started on the rape statistics, which are consistently climbing. We all (hopefully) know and appreciate what the previous waves have done for the generations to come (US)… but I can’t help but wonder what we’ll be setting up for the generation that will soon be in our current positions.
Feminism isn’t over. I don’t think it ever will be… I feel like there will always be resistance towards treating everyone equally simply because humans are selfish. “It’s my way or the highway“, right?
