The “Angry Black Woman” Has Every Reason To Be Angry
“Ignorance is bliss.” This is a phrase I am just now beginning to understand as I enter my young adulthood as a Black woman. As children, we are all ignorant to the many harsh realities of the world,...
View ArticleHow do we stop the Patriarchy from Corrupting the Meaning of Feminism?
Within the fourth-wave of feminism, the Internet is a powerful tool that has changed the game in terms of accessibility, making what was once only available in limited, elite amounts in women’s and...
View ArticleMy Eating Disorder Journey: How the Male Gaze Led Me to Restriction
When you define feminism or any activism-related term, it is often conveyed as a strong and powerful depiction of the movement a group of people believes in. I define feminism as fighting for justice...
View ArticleCrushes as Currency: When your Worth is Based on Attracting Men
From a young age, girls are socialized to have crushes on boys. We are constantly interrogated with questions asking, “Who do you like?” “Who do you think is cute?” and “Who do you want to marry?” As...
View ArticleI’m Tired Of Being Seen As “The Mother Figure”
We often blame our parents and societal expectations for why girls grow up and fall into a cycle of gender norms. As I reflect back on my elementary experiences, I’ve noticed the detrimental role my...
View ArticleWomen vs. Women: The Neverending Competition
In a world of hierarchy and patriarchy, men have discovered the perfect way to remain in control: competition. As humans, we crave power, and society teaches us that the way to achieve that power is...
View ArticleThe Master’s Tools in Athletics: Women vs. Sports
The master’s tools have done everything possible to ensure women are deemed weak, no matter their age. What are “the master’s tools?” They are systems of power and domination such as sexism and racism...
View ArticleAspiring to be Numb: How the Patriarchy Infiltrates Social Dynamics
Standing in the cafeteria, watching the freshman class on their first day of high school, I noticed how much taller I was, and how much more confident I was in comparison. I scoffed with my peers...
View ArticleUncovering Colorism
For centuries, Black women and girls have been burdened by the impacts of Eurocentric beauty standards. These beauty standards have infiltrated the Black community and have divided us, as it has...
View ArticleEyeliner and Nail Polish: Are Straight Men Breaking Gender Norms?
With the rise of apps like TikTok, there has been a sudden shift in consciousness around gender expression. Increasingly, straight cisgender men are breaking away from gender roles, especially amongst...
View ArticleA Little F’d Up: The Trials and Terrors of a Young White Woman Entering Feminism
In the middle of seventh grade, I felt as if I were winning The Great Feminist Race. I was the one with a feminist book that at least four girls in my grade asked if they could borrow. Even my teacher,...
View ArticleDefinition of a Girl: It’s More than Just Someone Who Faces Sexism
“Girls should….stay home, be slaves, be in the kitchen not speak in church” (credit: Ogilvy & Mather, Dubai, UAE) “Girls are crippled when they fall under the spell of perfectionism,” said a girl...
View ArticleNirbhaya: How One Play Exposed Sexual Violence and Made an Impact on a High...
Poorna Jagannathan talks to our feminism class. (Photo Credit: Ileana Jiménez) One of the greatest honors that happened as part of taking a high school feminism class was meeting Poorna Jagannathan....
View ArticleGetting My Feminist High With Gloria Steinem and bell hooks
Gloria Steinem and bell hooks spoke at the New School in early October (photo credit: Alanna Vagianos). Being able to meet young feminists is inspiring, intense, and hopeful. But getting to see in...
View Article#GamerGate and how every person who cares about video games became a misogynist
Anita Sarkeesian accepting the Ambassador Award at the Game Developer’s Choice ceremony. First off, I would like to begin this post by stating that I identify as a gamer, a man, and as a feminist. If...
View ArticleBecoming a Feminist and Male Ally
Jaron, Emilio, and I acted out a skit on bystander intervention at our annual International Day of the Girl assembly. (photo credit: Lexie Clinton) One of the first assignments for my high school...
View ArticleBreaking Silences Creates a Safe Space for Women of Color
Here I am sharing my own definitions of feminism during our feminism class’s annual International Day of the Girl assembly. I’m breaking silences (photo credit: Lexie Clinton). I agree with what bell...
View ArticleGirl Activists Working to End Gender-Based Violence Speak Out
My feminist classmates and I with the girl activist panelists at the US Mission to the UN (photo credit: Ileana Jiménez). On Tuesday, December 3, a few of my high school feminist classmates and I...
View ArticleI Need Feminism Because It’s a Life-Long Commitment
“I need feminism because I’m sick of people thinking that they have to change who they are just be accepted by society . . . DO YOU!.” (photo credit: Ileana Jiménez). Growing up, I remember finding my...
View ArticleFinding My Feminist Stand Through Media and the Arts
“I need feminism because…I wasn’t born in BOX.” (Photo credit:Ileana Jiménez). I need feminism because I wasn’t born in a box. I should not have to live in a world where I feel like my gender and my...
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