spring2023
intro to feminist theory
WOMS/PHIL 216-10 class zine - Part 2
edited by Prof. Jenny Lobasz
TheCombaheeRiverCollective
Ahomewheretherewasnone
Arefugeforthecurious
ArefugefortheBlackandWoman
Asafeplacetothink
Aplacetoexist,aplacetocry
Aplaceforalltothrive
Womenofcolor
StandtogetherwithWomenwhoarenot Achanceforrevolution
AchangeforBlackgreatness WhereWomencanbeBlack
Blackwasbadanddirtied
ButBlackisexcellent Can’tburyBlackforever Blackfightsback
Blackisforever Blackisgood BlackWomenareWomentoo
-Kyra
Blackistoosmartandcunning BlackWomenbirthedtheworld Ofcoursetheycancometogetherforgood Someonehasto Itisalwaysus
Finallywemadeourselvesahome Onewherewecanbeboth Notoneortheother Theintersectionofallouridentities Whatmakesusallbeautiful,differentand unique
On Judith Butler's "Imitation and Gender Insubordination"
Leah Ehland
Homosexuality is not an "imitation" of heterosexuality. The gender roles that are assumed onto butches and femmes should not be assumed based on heterosexual norms.
As a bisexual feminine woman, heterosexual norms should not be placed onto me. It has been difficult for me to accept my sexuality, as many will assume that I will uphold the expectations of heterosexuality.
If I am in a relationship with a man, many will assume that I am straight.
If I am in a relationship with a woman, many will assume that I am a lesbian only. It can be a struggle, as sometimes I feel that I am leaving one part of my identity behind. However, I realize that only I can identify myself, and that social's expectations heteronormality do not.
ToMyFutureDaughter,
Growingupishard.Growingupinasocietyinwhichsomeoneisseenlessthanequal isevenharder.AsIsitdowntowritethisletter,Iamfilledwithimmenseprideandhope fortheincrediblewomanyoubecome.Iwanttotakeamomenttointroduceyoutoa powerfulconceptthathasshapedthelivesofcountlesswomenthroughouthistory: feminist theory. Feministtheoryisnotjustamereacademicidea;itisaliving,breathing forcethatchallengesthestatusquoandseekstocreateamoreequitableworldforall genders.Itdelvesintothewayssocietyhashistoricallydisadvantagedwomenandworks towardsdismantlingthosebarriers.Feministtheoryteachesusthatyourworthisnot definedbysocietalexpectations,butbyyourinherentstrength,intelligence,andaspirations. Itencouragesustoquestionthenarrativesthatconfineus,tochallengeoppressive systems,andtoadvocatefortherightsofallindividuals,regardlessoftheirgender identity.Oneofthefundamentalprinciplesoffeministtheoryisintersectionality.It recognizesthattheexperiencesofwomenareshapednotonlybygenderbutalsoby race,class,sexuality,andotheridentities.Iturgesustoembraceandupliftthevoicesof marginalizedwomen,understandingthatthefightforequalityisinterconnectedandcannot bewonwithoutaddressingmultipleformsofdiscrimination.Feministtheoryremindsusto celebratethediversityanduniquenessofwomen,rejectingthenotionofasingle"right" waytobeawoman.Itencouragesustobreakfreefromlimitingstereotypesand expectations,allowingustoembraceourauthenticselvesandpursueourpassionswithout apology.Iwantyoutoknowthatembracingfeministtheorydoesnotmeanbelittlingor hatingmen.Itisaboutadvocatingforequalityandjusticeforallindividuals,regardlessof gender.Feminismseekstodismantletheharmfulconstructsthatlimitbothwomenand men,creatingaworldwhereeveryonecanthrivebasedontheirabilitiesandaspirations, nottheirgender.Mypreciousdaughter,feministtheoryisagiftthatwillempoweryou throughoutyourlife'sjourney.Itwillteachyouresilience,compassion,andtheimportance ofstandingupforwhatyoubelievein.Itwillguideyouinnavigatingaworldthatmaynot alwaystreatyoufairlybutwillinspireyoutokeepfightingforchange.Alwaysremember, thatyouareaforcetobereckonedwith.Withfeministtheoryasyourcompass,may yougoonfearlessly,creatingripplesofchangeineverycorneroftheworld. -WithLoveAlways, PK
