The concept of feminism has been difficult for many to understand. It is a political idea, based in the ideas that women should become socially, economically, and politically equal to that of men. This concept has stretched out to different discourses of academia, including womanism and intersectionality. I had to opportunity to see what a student from the Midwest had to feel about considering and analyzing this specific type of movement.
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Name: Kaelyb L.
Age: 21
Occupation: Student
Hometown: Beloit, Wisconsin
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What does Feminism mean to you?
Feminism to me is a voice that throughout history was often left to fall on silent ears, but recently is being heard.
What problems do you see in the Feminist community involving race?
I think one of the biggest problems with feminism and race relations is that when you think of feminism you think of a stereotypical liberal arts student with short hair and piercings. We often don’t think of feminism being involved in minority issues. For instance with African American women, who are arguably some of the most passed over minorities, often times they don’t have a voice in African American activism or in Feminism.
What inspires you?
What inspires me would be the thought I could run my own organic farm some day. That motivation as well as my grandmother who passed away in 2003 from ovarian cancer. She was a saint and I try to live my life by her standards.
Name one word that defines you.
Sehnsucht, it is German without a direct English translation but in essence it means an intense yearning, longing or craving. Like an addiction for life.
What color would describe you and why?
I would say green represents me. I am a biology major with an emphasis in botany. I love growing plants and learning why they are what they are.
Who are some womanists/feminists you admire and why?
The first feminist that came to mind is Maya Angelou. She did so much for women and the African American community and her writing is a national treasure.
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