Hypothetical Dystopia

a-room-owned-by-kiana:

bifurious:

i’ve been going through some hard times, and i stopped engaging in feminism because it felt too heavy for me to deal with.  i was really depressed (and still am) and couldn’t deal. but feminism is fucking awesome.  it makes me happy, even though it can make me sad. i stopped reading all of the feminism blogs i used to read about 4 months ago.  it was just such a horrible time and i had forgotten how much a part of me those blogs were.  reading them taught me so much and i miss them now.  i need to stop being depressing and mopey and start being a bad ass feminist again!!  BUT HOW???

Such a good question! Here are some ways I can think of for anyone to be a feminist (not that I’m the originator of these ideas):

• Stand up for what’s right: Whenever people make sexist/racist/homophobic comments, oppose that. Don’t go along with jokes! Don’t be passive about comments! Pick your battles, yes! But be continuously in the process of building up the courage AND wisdom to say something constructively challenging in response.
• Educate yourself: Read books/articles/blogs and become aware of how/where injustice is taking place. Also, watch the documentary called MissRepresentation (and maybe watch a lot of TEDTalks, ha!)  If you have access to college courses regarding feminist studies or gender studies, take those classes and learn the theories behind them. Throughout all of this, however, realize that you don’t have to agree with all of what they say. Let what you read turn you into a critical thinker - Whatever it is! After a while it becomes a habit and you just become more aware. Know that no one can ever be “educated” enough to stop learning!
• Support causes where you can: through facebook, twitter, tumblr, etc. Watch this TEDTalk about how feminism is being reinvented in the 21st century. Whenever issues come up, contact our state legislatures. Go to rallies! (*sigh* I’m a hypocrite - never done these myself unfortunately.) 
• One of the most important ways: Be wise in your finances and spending habits! You have the privilege of having money. YOU choose what movies to watch, what clothes to buy, what make-up to use, what food to eat, which politicians to support, etc. I cannot tell you how much this matters! In this world, people will sell anything for money and they will use as much sexism/racism/homophobia as they want if they think it’ll sell. Tell them it won’t sell! Boycott things, if you see necessary.
• Help make others aware: Tell them what you believe and explain to them why feminism is a helpful thing. Tell people about the injustice in the world! You don’t have to be constantly talking about it, but be ready to talk about it (note: recognize that you don’t know everything - that’s okay!). 
• Contribute to Feminist Scholarship: If you are interested in feminist academic/research work and if you have access to a university, look up programs and professors and email them to see if you can work as a research assistant and contribute to advancing feminist scholarship. You can also start writing blogs about feminist/social justice issues.
• Become aware of your own privileges!! The fact that you have internet and have access to so much knowledge is privilege. If you are not a minority, you have a majority privilege. If you are a man, you have privilege. If you are a woman, you have the privilege of knowing what a woman is like. If you are straight, you have privilege. Pretty much everyone has privileges. Become aware of them, don’t be ashamed of them, and use them to bring justice to the world.
• Recognize your own socializations - critically look at why you do the things you do, why you believe the things you do. Do you think specific people should do specific things because of their gender? Race? Sexual orientation? Recognize that there are many things that are social constructs and are not “inherent” things. Don’t let yourself be boxed and don’t box others.
• Be compassionate to yourself! You will probably feel a lot of anger, guilt, fear, sadness, embarrassment and a wide range of other negative emotions whenever you speak up against injustice. That’s okay. Most of us share those feelings! It’s because we’ve been told all our lives that these problems don’t matter and that we’re “making a big deal” out of nothing. Moreover, there will be times when you realize you have been giving into a sexist/racist/homophobic belief (e.g. I constantly struggle with recognizing my own beauty). Realize that many others struggle with it and that it’s just how you were raised and taught in society. Recognize that it takes time - and you have time! Google the topic of self-compassion whenever you feel like, simply put, shit!
• Recognize others’ socializations: Recognize that other’s unjust beliefs are a result of their socialization. I like to think that they didn’t have the privilege I’ve had of understanding these issues. I may be prideful but I think it gives me the ability to have grace on those individuals.

In conclusion: Become aware and make aware - I cannot emphasize this enough! Feminism is an idea, a belief, and it will only overcome injustice if people’s thoughts and attitudes change. Finally, I want to close with a quote from the movie Persepolis:

“In life you’ll meet a lot of jerks. If they hurt you, tell yourself that it’s because they’re stupid. That will help keep you from reacting to their cruelty. Because there is nothing worse than bitterness and vengeance… Always keep your dignity and be true to yourself.” 

ps. Other suggestions are welcomed!

(Source: braveriver)

sonofbaldwin:

For those individuals—queer or straight—who feel compelled to defend Chris Brown in this matter (because he’s “talented” or “cute” or “because They defend Charlie Sheen” or “because if we don’t defend him, then white people win” or because “there are worse instances of homophobia”), suddenly becoming linguists who follow the letter of the law, but couldn’t understand the spirit of it if it wrapped itself around their necks like a scarf, please read this so that both you and I can stop repeating ourselves.

This conversation is exactly like the conversations I have with some white people and other supporters of White Supremacy who feel that they have to whitesplain what racism is to me.

Just because you seem to be unclear on what the term means doesn’t mean I am or have to be.

1. Yes, I understand: “No homo” is not a slur, unlike “faggot,” “bull dagger” or some other terms meant to degrade queer people.

2. “No homo” is, however, a homophobic term. It is the FEAR that some action or gesture or word might be interpreted as homosexual.

It is NOT another way of saying, “I have nothing against homosexual people; I’m just not gay” as some people have insisted. That is a LIE. Because if you REALLY had nothing against homosexual people then there would be no need to constantly reassert your heterosexuality during even the most benign encounters, contact, or speech.

Why would it be so horrible to be thought of as homosexual? Heterosexism prevents straight people (and sadly, many queer people) from allowing anything other than heterosexuality to be considered “default” or “normal” or “proper” or “natural.” Goodness forbid someone thinks you’re a homosexual person! Because then some homosexual person might make a pass at you (and you, Defender of All Things Heterosexual, might be forced to put them in their place—with physical force if necessary). Or worse: You might accidentally be subjected to the same kinds of abuse, sanction, and scorn homosexual people routinely (and, in your mind, deservedly) receive because of their homosexuality. So yeah: It’s important for you to assert your heterosexuality at all times with a disclaimer so that people know, for certain, that you “don’t get down like that.”

For the vocabularily and conceptually challenged: THAT IS WHAT HOMOPHOBIA IS. THAT IS WHAT IT MEANS.

“No homo” functions as a shorthand for reinforcing heterosexist and homophobic cultures, customs, laws, mores, and norms. It’s a gender policing tool that’s employed to assure heterosexists that a simple hug or a handshake held too long or a turn of phrase is devoid of homosexual undertones or overtones—because, well, that would just be the worst thing EVER. It’s ALWAYS anti-gay sentiment, even when it’s used by queer people in jest.

“No homo” isn’t a slur. But it might as well be. It has PRECISELY the same function.