Even Feminists Get the Blues
Once while waiting for the 704 a young man struck up a conversation with me. We ended up sitting next to each other on the bus and he ended up asking after my destination. I told him I was headed to class.
“What are you taking?”
“An intro to women’s studies,” I said.
He rankled. “So is there like, a lot of feminism going on?”
Unfortunately, I expected such a response, but fortunately, practice had perfected my defense. I answered enthusiastically, “Yeah and it’s really awesome! I’ve learned so much. Feminism seeks to address the patriarchy and to be honest, I think the patriarchy harms men like you most of all.”
As I parted feminism from stigma for him, he began to nod in agreement. And whether he intended to merely impress me or had experienced a change of heart, he finally said, “I never knew that about feminism.”
I felt victorious for just the moment he was confronted with it.
This was lovely and inspiring. thank you!!
Comment by Amelia — November 5, 2010 @ 1:47 am
Reading through your post I was reminded that real natural beauty is rarely seen nowadays, especially in LA. I too have stopped shaving for who knows how long now and it feels great not worrying about shaving every couple of days. But, like you said, it is nearly impossible to escape the media and past insecurities arise more often than not. Such insecurities shouldn’t stop us from being what we are: Feminists. I too will learn to forgive myself. Truly loved your post.
Comment by ElizabethP — November 7, 2010 @ 10:33 pm
brilliance
this made my day
you are officially one of my heroes
thank you so much
Comment by smartalek — December 13, 2010 @ 9:37 pm
Thank you for writing this insightful and helpful piece so beautifully. I relate. I find the upper lip hair the hardest to accept, I hate doing it but I hate not doing it- and the truth is I “think” it looks “prettier”, whatever that is, without hair and I suppose for some reason being “prettier” is something I seem to value, connect to my self-worth, an ideal I feel compelled/ pressured to pursue, despite thinking to the contrary on an intellectual level. I Really enjoyed reading this.
Comment by Tiffany — June 16, 2011 @ 5:00 pm
Thank you for this.
Comment by dasunrisin — June 16, 2011 @ 6:30 pm