The destination

This began as a journey, a road headed somewhere, a quest for action. I was seeking a destination, what I have found instead is that this is not a journey with an end. My relationship with my personal feminist beliefs is a road I will always travel on, constantly challenging, revising, defending and embracing my values. Actions will come from this, some journeying with me, some as stops along the way.

As I delved into the history of feminism I came away with an appreciation of the layers of progress each wave has made and a solid understanding of where my own standpoint (4th wave) is on the timeline. Looking around New Zealand society I have found many disturbing sights of inequality still deeply entrenched, but also many wonderful and inspiring examples of feminism happening across the country.

My commitment is to rejoin Women’s Refuge. This organisation is an excellent practical application of my beliefs. I have also subscribed to feminist newsletters in Australia and New Zealand to keep abreast of contemporary views and actions. One is the International Women’s Development Agency. I have joined the Auckland Women’s Center, which run varying activities, actions and events to promote feminism. I will continue to stand my ground and defend my values in the face of skepticism, accusations, irritation and often exasperation.

I have learnt about myself and the the world around me. I have learnt of the importance of asking questions. Questioning myself and my beliefs but also asking questions of society. What can you do to help? What role does feminism play in tackling domestic violence? How does feminism interact with a multi-cultural New Zealand? What battles are worth the fight? Are we really being over-sensitive about this?

But mainly I have just set out. Set out as a feminist into the world to see what I can find and where I can help.

Oh and I might get a feminist tattoo.

Thanks for coming.

 

www.awc.org.nz

http://www.iwda.org.au

www.womensrefuge.org.nz

Not all doom and gloom

As a path to action what better way than being inspired by others. Let’s celebrate and applaud all the wonderful feminism happening in our society right now.

Let’s look at a group that retaliates against post-feminism. (The widespread belief that feminism is no longer needed because we have achieved gender equality). In 2013 FeminEast was founded by a group of girls at Wellington East Girls College. They are young women girls who fight back at the general idea of teenage girls being a particularly vulnerable group in society (Blackett, 2016). FeminEast responded to the Roastbuster gang-rape allegations by arguing their actions were not caused by online exposure to pornography or the influence of social media or any of the o

ther excuses frantically going around. FeminEast discussed the rape culture of New Zealand, the response of the Police, and patriarchal norms as influencing factors (Blackett, 2016). So good to see young women tackling the big issues in our society.

(Cameron Burnell/Fairfax NZ Members of FeminEast, Wellington East Girls’ College Feminist Club. Photo from http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/life/68153551/The-rise-of-high-school-feminism)

 

Women’s Refuge has four cornerstone values that underpin all they do. One of these is Feminism, reflecting the importance of feminism in the organisation. Feminism played a pivotal role in the setting up of Women’s Refuge with Second Wave feminists determined to intervene in New Zealand’s high rates of domestic violence. This spirit remains strong and there are now 37 refuges across the country run by dedicated feminist employees and volunteers. These women provide practical help and support to survivors of domestic violence as well as nationally promoting non-violence and supporting DV legislation in the NZ courts. They make a real difference to women and children in our society and are our unsung heroines.

These are just two examples of feminist actions in NZ. There are so many more. There are groups, organisations, magazines, teachers, parents and more all fighting in their own way for equality for the women of New Zealand. These are young and old, men and women. Feminism is not dead in NZ, it is alive and it is thriving. And I for one want to be a part of it.

 

BLACKETT, EMMA. “‘I’m allowed to be angry’: Students resist postfeminist education in Aotearoa/New Zealand.” Women’s Studies Journal 30.2 (2016).

National Council of Women of New Zealand. http://www.ncwnz.org.nz/

Women’s Refuge. www.womensrefuge.org.nz

http://www.theradicalnotion.com/our-history-feminist-symbols-images/

“Haven’t women already got equality?”

Often I am confronted with the idea that feminism is no longer necessary in New Zealand as women have already achieved equality. And yes, I will admit that in comparison to the past, or to much of the rest of the world, women in NZ have it pretty good. Women are proudly doctors, lawyers, mothers, politicians, plumbers and CEO’s. But underlying this, just a scratch under the surface, inequality and sexism remain embedded.

In order to find a out how I can act in the world around me I need to examine the views of the culture I live in. Let’s have a listen…

“You throw like a girl”, “man-up”, “stop being such a girl”. Insults such as this are commonplace in New Zealand today. They uphold the view that masculinity is strong, sporty and tough. And all of a sudden we are back to weak women. How can we claim to be an equal society when the word girl is used as an insult.

“She was asking for it” The New Zealand Police advise us not to go places alone at night, not to drink to much, always to have a plan to get home. Why? Why is the focus on what the victim did wrong rather than the perpetrator? Where people are, what they wear, do, say or drink is not important. It is not the women’s fault she was attacked.

“What a slut!” –Promiscuity in females is judged whilst applauded in males. Holding genders to different sexual standards is nothing new, the virtuous, pure women vs. the manly stud are age old values. The issue is, with birth control now readily available, why are they still around today? If anything social media has caused a revival of this, especially among our vulnerable youth.

This is just a small selection of everyday quotes from around the country. Commonplace expressions that barely get a raised eyebrow. We may be well on the way to political, legal and even economic equality but in the heart of New Zealand, from the mouths of men and women, we are still unequal.

Social media, music and movies are all platforms that are accessed everyday by New Zealanders where these viewpoints are endorsed and encouraged. Eminem, one of the most successful rappers in history sings about violence and rape towards women. These are lyrics from his song ‘Stay Wide Awake’  which was released in the album Relapse. Relapse debuted at Number 1 in the US charts and the album made over 2.3 million dollars also winning two awards. Warning, very graphic.

“Sit down beside her like a spider, hi there girl, you mighta
Heard of me before, see whore, you’re the kind of girl that I’d assault
And rape then figure why not try not to make your pussy wider?
F*ck you with an umbrella, then open it up while the sh*t’s inside ya
I’m the kinda guy that’s mild but I might flip and get a little bit wilder”

We need to take responsibility for what we say, listen to, watch and endorse. This can not be a government initiative or a Women’s Refuge campaign, to get to a place where feminism is no longer necessary then a grassroots movement is needed. Let’s start by talking the right talk.

http://www.allmusic.com/album/relapse-mw0000811068

http://glamradar.com/

http://placebookmarks.info/photo/t/talk-the-talk/1/

http://www.police.govt.nz/advice/adult-sexual-assault/safety-advice

 

 

 

Unfeminine Feminists

I was recently asked the question:

“Why are feminists so unfeminine?”

Historically women have simulated men to prove their equality, taking on traditional masculine qualities such as aggressive leadership. Looking back at strong females in history they were often recognised and respected as honorary men, rather than powerful women, Queen Elizabeth I is one such example. (Heilbrun, 1988). Twentieth Century Feminists had to prove they were not just pretty ornaments but up to challenging men in their own fields. Traditional values of femininity like beauty, motherhood and compassion were left behind in the pursuit. Third wave feminism was a backlash to this with women owning both a brain and a push-up bra. But they often refused the term Feminist. They were individuals, pushing back from the strident intensity of their second generation activist mothers. (Rampton, 2015).

Here and now we see the break of the fourth wave, the coming together of both Femininity and Feminism. A generation who once again proudly claim to be Feminists, who fight for equality of pay, of opportunity, using modern technology. But who also can value beauty and embrace motherhood, who question the gendering of society and indeed the necessity of gendering at all. (Cochrane, 2013).

So, I am a proud Fourth Generation Feminist. I love fashion, lipstick and high heels but am committed to equality. I challenge the gendered nature of our society. Good that’s settled. What’s next?

Growing up I used to wish for the opportunity to make a grand gesture in the fight for equality. I would lament that I was born too late to join Emily Pankhurst in a hunger strike or chain my myself to Parliament. Now I realise that I can’t get though the day without coffee, let alone power, internet and cellphones!

To the International Women’s Development Agency feminism means “taking action to advance our vision: a world where every women and man, girl and boy has equal opportunities”.

That requires action and its
action I am after. The journey continues…

If this has failed to make any sense this is a great visual representation in comics by Alicia Barron http://www.upworthy.com/what-is-feminism-really-this-comic-sums-it-up-well

 

Barron, A. www.upworthy.com/what-is-feminism-really-this-comic-sums-it-up-well

Cochrane, K. (2013). All the Rebel Women: The rise of the Fourth Wave of feminism. London: Guardian Books.

Heilbrun, C. (1998). “Non-Autobiographies of ‘Privileged’ Women: England and America.” In Life/lines: Theorizing Women’s Autobiography, edited by Bella Brodzki and Celeste Schenck. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.

Rampton M., (2015). Four waves of Feminism, Pacific University Oregon. Retrieved from: http://www.pacificu.edu/about-us/news-events/four-waves-feminism

 

Picture credits:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/katherine-fritz/an-illustrated-guide-to-feminism_b_6202306.html

http://mashable.com/2015/01/12/suffragettes-vs-police/#RFbnHB00kZqw

Feminism and me.

I am a feminist. Now what?

What does this mean and how does this influence my thoughts,
values and actions? Do I have to stop wearing bras? Do I rage and rant at men demanding equality? (Which has been known to happen). Do I take to the streets? Should I rush around convincing women to do more, say more, be more? I have all these strong convictions of equality but no idea what do to next. How do I make myself useful and turn these feelings into actions?

In this blog I will explore how feminism impacts my beliefs and how these beliefs impact or inspire action. The title ‘Rach’s Ramblings’ represents the journey that these musing will take me on as I work out the implications of my feminist values.

As a girl I was always out to prove myself. I was just as good as, if not better than, my brothers. I refused to acknowledge that they were taller or stronger or faster than me. I still don’t. I would be reckless to prove my bravery, defiant to show my courage and of course, I never, ever admitted to being scared of anything. I became a tomboy and later a bit of a rebel.

Why, when I was blessed with a loving, supportive and educated upbringing did I feel the need to prove myself as a girl? Missing out, even if I didn’t want it in the first place, just because of my gender seemed unfair and unjust. Defying social conventions based on gender for the sake of it has become a bit of a habit. It has seen me spend whole evenings freezing outside by the BBQ, drinking beer and discussing rugby (which I am not the least bit interested in) rather than stay with the women inside (in the warm, with lovely wine).

In this blog I aim to take the next step. To turn passionate but often rather incoherent ideas into direct thought and action as provoked by my world around me. I hope you stay with me as we ramble along my path to feminism in action.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture credits:

http://globemich.com/the-feminist-dilemma-i-am-not-a-manifesto/

A-Z Challenge; F is for Feminist Movement Mental Moment