Being at Cambridge University has brought to light sexism in an educational institution that I wasn't expose to since, I went to an all-women's college. A couple of months ago, the Cambridge Union debated whether or not Cambridge is a sexist institution. The motion, which was argued by Germaine Greer a Newnhamite like myself, won by over 100 votes. My department is only 20% women, and when classes are divided into groups, its easy to find only two women per class (like my "History of IR Thought"). I have a professor here, whom I won't mention by name, which makes constant sexist remarks during lecture. The whole class thought it was funny. I was protected in my all-women's college bubble, but that environment also made me more conscious of the sexism and discrimination in the outside world.
Feminists like to talk about a 'click' moment, when everything comes together and you start to identify as a feminist. When I got to Cambridge, I rekindle my love for feminism. Perhaps it is Newnham, one of the three all-women college in the University, and the list of prestigious women who came here. Perhaps it was the sexism in my department. The truth is that, I have often had to fight the temptation to throw away my books pertaining international relations, and pick up a Catharine MacKinnon book. Instead, I have discovered the genius of "Google Reader" and I read around 20+ cool feminist blogs. Those women are funny, intelligent and insightful (see my blogroll for links).
So, after reading about people's "click" moment, I decided to write about my own 'click' moment, when the sky opened and I found feminism. Granted the term has many branches and manifestations, I (my own personal manifestation of feminism) have found feminism to be liberating. I can apply it to my life how I want it, shape it, transform it, and talk about it in my own language. For me, feminism means equality and liberation.
Now into my click moment: I can't say that there was one moment, but a series of events and people who surrounded me. I think I have always been a feminist but, never knew of the term and the theories behind it. I have previously talked about my first exposure to sexism, which came in the form of my grandmother telling me I wasn't allow to go top-less outside when I was five. I remember that at the time it didn't seem fair that I had to wear a t-shirt since it was hot. That was my first event, but now that I think about it, my family also greatly impacted me. My family is a matriarchy family. Without a doubt, my family is run by women. My mother is the oldest one, and thus, my four aunts and one uncle always go to her for advice. My family also lacks males. I think there is one male member for every 4 women. We are all women. The way my family have impacted me is that I have seen strong and determine women all my life. It hasn't been easy, and I am sure all my female family members can talk about sexism in their lives, but they don't shrink in aversion. They are very courageous and they have taught me the values of following my dreams. Now, I doubt anyone would consider themselves feminist, I am not sure they are familiar with the term. However, seeing them all my life has taught me that women can do anything and we don't need to rely on men to do things.
My most powerful 'click moment', however, was attending my all-women's college. It was my Renaissance. I fell in love with academia (even though Cambridge is screwing that up), and I particularly loved seeing women running an institution. I was inspired by my female professors, to see how brilliant and determine they were. I loved seeing women working together to achieve something, anything, that would make a difference. I enjoyed walking down the halls of my college and feeling confident about my intellectualism and that people would not judge me for that. When referring to my click moment, I always go back to "Political Theory" class, sophomore year, reading Mary Wollstronecraft "Vindication of the Rights of Women." That is my 'click' moment because that is when I understood that there was a history of writers, theories, activist, etc, who thought and felt like I do. There were books about it! That is when I started to label myself as a feminist because everything came together, the consciousness of the discrimination not only I was subjected to but other women as well. A whole new world opened that was both depressing because I was able to understand the roots of sexism, yet at the same time, invigorating because I had the tools to fight against it. What I liked about Wollstronecraft's book is that it emphasized the need for female education and how that is a great tool of empowerment. I felt in love with her right away. In that course, run by a male professor, we also read Simone de Beauvoir, John Stuart Mill, and Emma Goldman to discuss the question of equality and gender. In a co-ed institution, I serious doubt that topic of gender equality and the works of Goldman and Beauvoir would be read.
After that, I haven't looked back. I enjoy reading about women's issues (even though I hate to use that term) and about courageous women around the world who are fighting the good fight against discrimination and towards social, political, and economic equality for all. There is still a lot for me to learn but I am eager to study. What I like feminism, also, is that I am able to shape it to fit my life and my history. I don't have to fit into the different 'waves' but be free to define it for myself. So, thanks to Wollstronecraft I had my 'click' moment.
I shall leave you with feminist artist Ani DiFranco and her songs "Not a Pretty Girl" and "I'm no Heroine". They rock :)
I'm no heroine
I still answer to the other half of the race
I don't fool myself
like I fool you
I don't have the power
we just don't run this place -- Ani DiFranco "I am no Heroine"
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