Revolutionary Feminism

Feminism.... Please don't make an uninformed judgement before reading. 

I wrote a blog post about a year and a half ago but never posted it because it was so messy and I was only begginning to learn about gender equality, maybe I was ignorant and uninformed, however it has suddenly just become that little bit more relevant. Here it is. 

"'I’ve grown a heart-wrenching, stomach-churning obsession with feminism. I have flirted with its exhilarating ideas and explored its mind-broadening content. I have begun my romance with feminism, and have found ‘The Female Eunuch.’" 

I actually wrote this paragraph for my HSC Society and Culture Personal Interest Project. But I've started to challenge something that I thought I was incredibly certain about... obviously you can see this by my immense passion (totally put on for the Board of Studies). 

However, I think I'm lacking authenticity, a full on belief in feminism. How can it be defined as equality of the sexes when it stands on the basis of women's rights. Men aren't exactly completely equal either. There are so many situations I can think of when men have been oppressed by our patriarchal society. How can be expect men to join the feminist bandwagon when it almost discriminates against their right to stand up for the opposite sex?

I can't say that I wholeheartedly believe in feminism now. I mean I most definitely believe in the values but the definition does not quite suit me.

In addition, it also a concept that was made up in the 1970s. We are now products of a 21st century society. How can we still be living and believe in something that was a product of it's time. Is it not time now to create a new radical, extreme movement that follows the basis of gender equality and feminism? Think about it... we can't get away with calling it gender equality because anyone can identify with it (no discrimination intended) but any Johny Billy Bob can say that they agree in gender equality. I'd say (sorry no statistics) that 90% of people believe in gender equality. However, those 90% of people aren't making change. We need change. We need a new radical movement, a new word that defines the evolution of gender equality, a word that is relevant to the 21st century. I mean, I'm not going to create one, as much as I would love to unfortunately I don't hold that kind of power over our society... possibly one day?

I also think that there are countless negative connotations associated with feminism today and to make change, they need to be extinguished. The mainstream associate feminists with people who don't shave their legs, wear doc martens and listen to punk music. 

We need a new word.... I think. 

This is a little bit of a thought process. Hopefully one day I can establish an ultimate, uniquely individual perspective and create change."

I feel as though since then I've developed a little bit with the help of increased free time, new role models and a hell of a lot of reading. A few days ago a young adult, Caitlin Stasey released a movement called 'herselfdotcom' and talks controversially about all things surrounding sexual liberation in association with feminism. Moreover, many more 'celebs' have come out stating their support for the feminist movement including Ellen Page, Taylor Swift and Emma Watson and in doing so have increased the publics awareness for gender equality and I think it's amazing. These celebrities are using their immense power and fan base in order to make positive change for women and it's all in the name of feminism.... A 21st century feminism. I feel as though my wish to create something more relatable in the 4th wave of modern feminism is being established and my prior wish for something new may not be so much needed anymore.... 

A thought process... Any feedback, opinions etc is much appreciated. 

Elena x

http://herself.com/caitlin/

(Photo- Caitlin Stasey)

(Photo- emma Watson- he for she)

(Photo- Taylor swift)

http://huff.to/1G8LcXi

http://thr.cm/49pXIE

Malala Yousafzai, accepted the Nobel Peace Prize today. She won the prize for her work as an activist fighting for the right to education in parts of the world where it’s often denied (especially to girls).

In her acceptance speech, she said: 

It is for those forgotten children who want education. It is for those frightened children who want peace. It is for those voiceless children who want change. 

I am here to stand up for their rights, raise their voice. It is not time to pity them. It is time to take action so it becomes the last time that we see a child deprived of education.

Death

I'm sorry for this extremely morose post.
I guess it's about acceptance...?





Death....

The inevitable, the only thing we know for sure, the only thing I know for sure is that at some point I will die. We will all die because it is inevitable.

I've never been extremely fond of the concept of death, it never really appealed to me (big woop) and I never really thought that far into it.

Until March... through the loss of a loved one.

I'm an incredibly optimistic person, almost too optimistic, too hopeful if that could ever be a bad thing? You wouldn't really think it is, but I'm no longer sure.

Now, I don't have a religious belief system. I 'm agnostic. I mean I obviously believe in feminism and gender equality and human rights but there is no 'supreme being' of who has great influence over my worldview, my values and furthermore, answers to my existential questions. I would probably deem this an overriding factor in my quest for acceptance in regards to death. I, personally have no idea what lies beyond the death of a loved one, let a lone anyone or myself... humanity. I've been brought up with christian values regarding the importance of family, education and trust however I haven't 'conformed' . Being in primary school and moreover, the growth into an adolescent teenager I have been influenced by the secular views of my friends and teachers. I was never able to find that 'connection' with god and christianity, it never appealed to me and never reeled me in to a point where it pervaded and dominated.

At the moment I am on a cliche' journey to discover how to centre myself as a person and find fulfilment and stability psychologically and after I have achieved that I will then move on to establish an answer to my existential questions. By no means will it take 5 days or 3 months, 15 years or my whole life, I may never actually figure it out, but if it's a learning experience then I'm definitely up for it.

I am definitely a logical person when it becomes to reality and my own life, I always search for logic and direction. I think it is why this troubles me so much but on the other hand, it also means that I can't put all of my faith in a religion unless I deem it logical.... and we all know religion isn't necessarily logical (others may beg to differ and that it absolutely fine). I have been exposed to christianity, I live in a conventional suburb where we are defined by the countless churches that surround the area, we are claimed to be the 'bible belt' but being only 17 years old I have not yet had the opportunity to explore other religions. I am exceedingly intrigued by Hinduism and Buddhism and Judaism and Modern Paganism. One day I plan to travel and experience these different cultures and their religions and even if I don't decide that they are relevant, at least I can feel some sense of fulfilment in that I have given myself the opportunity to explore.

Maybe then my subconscious fear of death can be concurred....

Tata for now.

Elena, x

http://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2013/mar/28/holi-festival-week-pictures

Holi festival week – in pictures

The Holi festival or festival of colours is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Phalguna and marks the start of the spring season. The tradition of playing with colours draws its roots from a legend of Radha and the Hindu god Krishna.

A Simply Oppressive System

The Australian education system is just simply unjust. The system as a whole in crisis...? The education system has failed 21st century students.

We've lost our competitive advantage, our ability to recreate, to learn and to absorb. Australia isn't teaching innovative creators but instead oppressed, spoon fed adolescents that come out of school with a negative attitude and an increased competitive psyche.

Knowledge has become a commodity, something that is used to motivate and encourage the Australian economy. School is no longer privileged as a place to learn, grow and challenge but instead a place to compete, become exceedingly psychologically unstable and become a artefact that can be compared with the mainstream individual. The creative imaginations that children once had, pre-kindergarten are no longer available.... our next generation is oppressed. We are restricted from our knowledge that should very well be constantly changing and growing exponentially. The extent to which our 'knowledge is free' has become essentially, a foreign concept. Our education system, the community of bewildered, repressive and unaware adults that use syllabus' as a way to stunt the rites of passage involving creative thinking and growth. Children are encouraged to memorise the planets, the stars, the periodic table of elements, however that can only take a person so far.

Our education system was created in an industrial era...an era that is increasingly outdated. We are living in the modern age, the 21st century, 2014... a fast paced technological period. We are using this mass production style of education... a process of standardisation. A system that suits the all rounded, mainstream kid.. the perfect kid of which 99% of individuals do not fit into. Apparently this is how we want to produce the next generation and the generation after that. How long will it take us to realise that it isn't working...? That 16, 17 and 18 year olds are suffering from mental illness and anxiety, psychological instability that pervades everyday life... not only during the HSC but also into their adult lives. Are our authority figures totally oblivious or just inherently incapable of recognising this expanding crisis? There is change that needs to be made but apparently the people that dominate and determine are just plain impervious.

But we, as students need to look at ourselves.... we have power, we can have authority if we set our minds to it. Why are we so paralysed by fear? We are we swallowing our words.

What makes us think that a group of adults have ultimate control over every aspect of our life?

Our First Proper Introduction

Hi Guys,

So over the past few years or so, I haven't personally had the chance to expand and utilise the immense power that social media and the internet holds over society but I have been one of the millions of people who has stood back and watched it.

I really want to subvert the conventional, mainstream use of a blog.... or explore and share and elaborate on my thoughts, the thoughts that not only I, personally have, but the thoughts that permeate the 21st century society. I want to challenge people's values and beliefs and I want you guys to challenge my own. I'll put it all out there and we can discuss it...


Tata for now.

Elena x