express my feminist ideals more

is so full of stereotypes and norms. I’m tired of seeing this stuff being perpetuated. I love design but I also feel wrong defending the “traditions” that really disturb me. I want to change that, as much as I can!

I’ve been talking to my friends lately a lot more, those who share these ideas with me and we deconstruct things that bother us through our daily lives…and we examine why we feel that way. It really helps settle my mind, knowing that there are reasons why I feel certain ways and perhaps what steps to take to be more confident in my beliefs.

Hi loving each day,
I don’t think there’s anything wrong AT all about wanting to feel more feminine. In fact, it’s a great thing to feel however, I think the issue here is “do you feel typecast, or forced to do these things because you’re a woman.” I mean, if you enjoy shoe shopping, then no problem, why not. But if your boyfriend EXPECTS you to cook dinner for him BECAUSE your a woman, then yes, there’s a problem there. Don’t get me wrong though, I cook dinner for my boyfriend all the time too but, he cooks me dinner too and it isn’t because I feel obligated to, it’s because I want to and enjoy doing it from time to time. Keep doing the things you enjoy doing. If you start feeling obligated to do something, THEN you should think twice about it. Also, in my opinion, it’s very restricting to think of things as what women are supposed to like and what men are supposed to like. Do what you like doing and try not to limit yourself with old fashioned gender roles. You’ll get a whole lot more out of the activity. I mean, that’s a big time issue of feminism… the right to do what you want to do without shame or restrictions. Besides the diy handmade craft revolution wouldn’t have gotten so strong if we all steered away from, say, sewing because it’s typically a woman’s thing. We craft because we love to craft, not because we have to craft. I hope I helped you out a bit, loving each day. take care!

Sometimes I wonder about the things that I do…I enjoy cooking dinner for the boyfriend, I enjoy buying new shoes. But do I truly enjoy IT – the actual situation – or do I enjoy it because it’s ‘what women are supposed to like’, because it makes me feel feminine?

Sometimes I don’t know. But how do I figure it out?

This is a great goal and something all women (and men!) should subscribe to. Feminism isn’t about hating men or trying to take over the world, it’s about honouring equality; all people’s, men’s and women’s alike, equal value. However, how to do it?
I need to have a think about this…any suggestions?

The Center of New Words (CNW) runs a special program each year entitled Women’s Action & Media (WAM 2008) This three day Conference held at MIT,”... allows the
sharing of facts and ideas, develop skills, build collaborations, and create action plans to amplify progressive women’s public voices in society. We’re excited to hear your ideas whether you’re a media producer or a PR strategist, a journalist, an activist, an academic, a community organizer, a funder or philanthropist, a “citizen” media watchdog, a media policy advocate, an alternative-network-builder, a blogger, writer, teacher, artist, technology trainer, cartoonist, deejay, (etc!) we especially encourage women of color, women under 25 and over 65, low-income women, professionals/producers working in broadcast and online media, and students to join us!”

”...This year we’re bringing together more than 400 participants to exchange observations, ideas, experiences, opinions, and tools for change—and plan together for action…”

I attended last year’s WAM 2007 and it was a great bonding experience for my and allowed me to start web blogging. My G Spot is a feminist web blog dealing with issues that face women today. If you are in the Boston and Cambridge, MA area I encourage you to particiate in live workshops on building women’s self esteem, meet with women authors, cartoonists, we bloggers and many many more surprises.

Has anyone seen the latest video from www.feministmajority.com?

Alternet This is what a feminist looks like

opportunity to create something of my own choice, I invariably head back to something that means a lot to me, and oftentimes, my projects for school will involve something related to feminism. I mean it’s not always directly related but I’ll insert a flash of it here and there. Maybe a quote that’s absolutely pro-woman (doesn’t mean it’s anti-man okay?) but I invariably drift in this direction. It’s pretty interesting although sometimes I wonder if I’m not trying too hard to show that part of me.

The last project I had to do – I ended up making a poster that was supposed to promote an event called GirlFest. It takes place in Hawaii (originated there), San Francisco, and for the first time this year, New York. Whoo. It was really fun. I also made a pamphlet cover (so they would just insert the program into it as different events within GirlFest happen). I tweaked the original logo a bit to make it specific to each city. I ended up using stereotypical images for some of it but I think it was fun. :) The teacher seemed to like it.

hell yeah

In women’s studies, we studied all issues – age, race, class, gender, sexuality :)

And so this was of interest to me:

In a rare moment of wonderful intellectual conversation, something I have been hard put to find here in California (not because there are shallow people, but because I have not yet met anyone with whom I can share my love for discussions and debates with), I listened to a very interesting story.

Diverted from discussing our ideal partner’s race (see previous note), a Brazilian guy there shared a story. He was saying how he have been hit on by gay men while working at a restaurant (in the Marina district of SF – which for those who don’t know is sort of a college town, it’s more “new” and cleaner, as well as being quieter). He was not very happy about it, though. He says he’s felt very uncomfortable and have needed to ask his manager to assign someone else to work the table. I was really tempted to say that he should’ve been flattered but I feel that he would’ve not agreed. I mean, it’s okay when men hit on women or women hit on men, isn’t it? At the least, society doesn’t give it a thought (and many people take this to be flattering). Why shouldn’t we feel flattered if someone of the same sex hits on us? They’re humans as well, it’s not like they are subspecies for the simple fact that the sexual orientation differs.

Alongside this story, we were also covering the topic of gay prejudice/discrimination in America.

He then made a very telling statement. He began by saying, “If I was working in the Castro, I know it would happen. I expect it. I am on their turf. So I accept. But I am not working in the Castro. They are coming onto my turf.” (Not verbatim as his grammar was a little off and since my memory’s not videographic but as close as I can get. He certainly did use the words “expect, accept, and turf.”)

Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know there were actual land boundaries for straight people and gay people. Where are the markers for that division again? (And where would the bisexual people go? Tangent – And why are bisexuals to be treated as even weirder than gay people?) So apparently, gay people need to limit their eyes and “gay opinions” within their turf (Castro, I guess) and outside of that neighborhood, need to restrain themselves. Unfortunately, I did not bring this up. I really should have, on hindsight.

I’ve always admired Angelou and her writing. The following poem really struck something in me and I can’t forget it. It’s just so wonderfully written. It’s incredibly empowering, especially if you read it aloud several times.

Please enjoy.

PHENOMENAL WOMAN by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.