I have learned so much throughout being involved in the Gen-X Learning community. Through activism projects and class discussions, I’ve grown as an activist, a feminist, and a student.  I thought I had grown exponentially after my first semester in Gen-X. However, throughout my second semester, I noticed myself thinking much more critically about the world around me, while also implementing feminism into my daily life much more adamantly.

                  Perhaps the most important thing I learned this semester is the importance of recognizing your own privilege. Prior to this class, I’d had a few conversations about privilege and had already recognized my privilege as a cis, white, middle-class child. However, I’d never discussed the importance of being constantly aware of my privilege. I had also never thought about how my status as a student in higher education and my physical appearance play a role in my privilege. Through the readings we were assigned, I learned that privilege is not inherently negative and harmful. In fact, it is only harmful when we are blind to our privilege and fail to recognize it. When we admit that we are at a greater advantage than people of other ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, etc., we are able to help those who are less privileged and fight a system that oppresses marginalized demographics. I greatly value our discussion about privilege during Changing Realities of Women’s Lives because I’m more conscientious of problems that I don’t experience as a cis, white, financially stable woman. I recognize that just because I don’t experience the same struggles as people of color or trans people does not mean their problems are not important and do not deserve to be addressed.

                  The most significant event I experienced this semester in Gen-X was the opportunity I received to work with Planned Parenthood for their Condom Couture Fashion Show. I will never the day I spent volunteering alongside so many wonderful event planners, artistic directors, Planned Parenthood employees, designers, models, and make up artists. By hosting the Condom Couture Fashion Show, Planned Parenthood was attempting to find a creative way to open up dialogue about the importance of safe sex. This event really stuck with me because I am passionate about the work Planned Parenthood does. Planned Parenthood provides affordable women’s healthcare, comprehensive sex education, and family counseling services. The need for comprehensive sex education is at an all time high! Especially in North Carolina, where the number of STI cases continue to rise annually. Not only did I learn a lot from the event, the Condom Couture Fashion Show really pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow as an activist. Through the end of my high school career, I really struggled with social anxiety and often felt extremely uncomfortable in unfamiliar social situations. Although I’ve gotten over my social anxiety for the most part, I still often find myself experiencing anxiety in situations that I’m not accustomed to. The Condom Couture Fashion Show challenged me to take on an assertive, leadership position and take initiative and responsibility. I was responsible for getting the models from hair and makeup to their photo shoot, then backstage to organize them for the show. I had never been more overwhelmed, yet excited in my life. I was able to put myself out there and meet new, amazing people. I also got to work with an organization whom I’ve respected for many years now. I never would have gotten this opportunity had I not participated in Gen-X and taken this class.

                  I felt that the only thing this semester lacked was reading assignments. I realize this is an uncommon complaint. However, I greatly enjoyed the books we read last semester in Gender, Activism and Leadership. While we did continue to read hooks’ Feminism is for Everybody throughout this semester, I would’ve enjoyed reading some new materials and building upon my library of feminist literature. I also thought the journal entries we did last semester where we reflected on what we read were very helpful and insightful. I realize this class is more about hands on activism, but I feel like I could’ve greatly benefited from reading materials about feminist activism and writing assignments that forced me to reflect on what I read.

                  Since being involved in the Gen-X learning community, I’ve noticed myself implementing feminism into my daily life more adamantly. I view the world around me much more critically than I did in the past. I’m also much more likely to speak out against my peers and authority figures when I hear sexist, racist, or classist comments. However, prior to this semester, the language I used when I would get into these arguments was often aggressive and uneducated. I couldn’t find the proper words or statistics to defend my arguments and I was often just making grandiose statements with no real evidence. I was also unable to have discussions about feminism without getting extremely defensive. However, after taking this class I have noticed I’m equipped with the knowledge necessary for defending my beliefs. I am also able to have conversations about feminist topics and issues without getting angry and aggressive. I used to only attack the viewpoints of those who disagreed with my beliefs and call them ignorant. This didn’t do much good considering I didn’t even attempt to educate them on why I hold the beliefs that I do or why their values may be harmful to others. Thanks to Changing Realities of Women’s Lives, I feel that I have firm beliefs and opinions that I can educate others about. I am not afraid to tell others my beliefs and I am able to have discussions with people who may disagree with me without berating them and attacking opinions. Rather, now I am able to share my beliefs and back them up with statistics and literature that support my argument.

                  Throughout the semester, our class participated in many service and activism projects. I greatly benefited from all of these activism projects. They helped me grow as a feminist, activist, and student. While I was contributing to my community, I felt like I was learning valuable skills that I will be able to implement in future careers or future activist work and volunteer opportunities I may participate in. Fundraising for the Vagina Monologues challenged me to get out of my comfort zone and talk to every single person that walked by our booth. Typically, I’m rather shy and reserved around people I’m not familiar with. Talking to complete strangers definitely pushed my boundaries and tested my abilities. However, by the end of fundraising, I was talking to people with ease and felt comfortable. We were able to raise money for Time Out Youth and inform people about the Vagina Monologues performance! The Feminist Wire taught me the importance of allowing yourself to be in situations that make you feel uncomfortable. When we are comfortable we become complacent. I also learned the importance of creating dialogue about injustice. We cannot just ignore the problem and expect it to dissipate on its own. Although I did not necessarily enjoy Anita Sarkeesian’s presentation, her analysis of females characters in video games and the media. I didn’t agree with everything she said. However, following her presentation, I was able to have interesting and insightful conversations with my peers about the topics she addressed. Take Back the Night taught me the importance of reaching out to victims of sexual violence and being a support system. Sometimes I forget that the Feminist Movement is a community and a sisterhood. We should be constantly working to empower one another. At our Take Back the Night rally, I really felt that sense of community and fellowship. Hearing survivors share their stories was unforgettable and heart-wrenching. Take Back the Night reaffirmed my belief that feminism is still absolutely necessary and relevant. Although our Equal Pay Day was kind of lacking in enthusiasm, I still think it was a major success. Throughout the day, we were able to raise awareness of the wage gap and wage disparities between races and genders. We also accumulated numerous signatures for our petition for equal pay. I walked away from every single activism project this semester knowing that I had just gained greater insight on feminist issues and also honed my abilities for future activist work. I’m so thankful for the opportunities Gen-X has given me to give back to my community.

                  Overall, the past semester has been absolutely incredible. I gained so many new experiences and furthered my relationships with my peers. All the while, learning about feminist issues and what it truly means to be an activist. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to be involved in Gen-X and will truly miss this class and my classmates next semester.