Journal #1: Intro

To me, feminism is empowering and encouraging women and abolishing a patriarchal society that has silenced and oppressed women for centuries. I believe that equality of the sexes is an important part of feminism. However, I think an even more important part of feminism is to demand justice for and protect women, women of color and trans-women. It makes me extremely angry when people treat equalism and feminism the same way. Equalism is the belief that all people are created equal regardless or race, sex, gender, socioeconomic status, etc. Therefore, I believe feminism should function to fight misogyny and empower women. I consider myself an intersectional feminist because I believe feminism should be all-inclusive. That also means I recognize that the ways I experience sexism, as a cis white woman, are not the same ways a woman of color, trans-woman, or disabled woman may experience sexism. However, just because I don’t experience sexism in the same ways as other women doesn’t mean their issues are any less important and I do not turn a blind eye to them. As women we should band together to help each other, rather than shun each other and ignore each other’s issues.

As a first-year student, I expect the coming year to be full of excitement and growth, but also challenge and hard work. Within the first week of college classes I have already learned that college is vastly different from high school. No professor is over your shoulder reminding you when assignments are due and your parents aren’t around to keep you from making stupid decisions. I’m going to have adjust and start my transition from ‘stupid-teenage-kid-who-has-no-idea-what-she’s-doing’ to ‘slightly-more-independent- but-still-stupid-young-woman-who-has-no-idea-what-she’s-doing.’ I expect that by being part of the Gen-X Learning Community, I will become more educated in social justice issues and increase my understanding of feminism and gender issues. I am looking forward to the service projects we will be focusing on and being able to have a positive impact on the community I’m living in. Throughout the next year, I hope to learn a lot inside and outside of the classroom setting. This means I will need to keep an open mind and be open to other people’s views and perspectives. It also means I will need to be open to trying new things that might take me out of my comfort zone. I plan on throwing myself into this year with an open mind and ready heart. It’s time to do things that challenge myself and help me grow as a person and activist.