congratulations.
Somewhere along the reality of being in my senior year of college, 16 credits of 5000+ level courses and being constantly confronted with the age old question of
"What are your plans post-grad?"I've taken a sort of leave of absence from the spewing of my thoughts and/or feelings via blogspot. I know, I've missed ya'll too.
But I can't help not to share the excitement I've experienced this last school year as I've witnessed my majors and personal goals, morals, values, etc converge.
It's definitely something when you are sitting in one of your all time favorite gender studies classes with THEE most inspiring professor/mentor/teacher that you've ever had (take masculinities with Meg Day and watch your life be forever changed in the best way possible) and that coveted lightbulb of "AH HAH! This is why I'm studying these things. My passion for activism is legitimate and desperately needed in this uber fucked up world... rad."
So I can't help but attribute many of the positive changes and ideas that have come of this past year to my education in Gender Studies and Sociology at the University of Utah.
They say knowledge is power for a reason folks.
As my personal life and education continues to become more and more intertwined, I notice common themes. In many of my classes this semester, it is set up as a discussion based learning environment, which is incredibly daunting as well as productive. Ask any of my fellow gender studies peeps, we're a rare breed turned into a precious family unit who've had the same classes since like sophomore year aka BFFS, that I make numerous connections between my feminism and my veganism.For me, Veganism and feminism go together like pb&j, like the grilled pb&j I just snarfed down for dinner cuz I iz a po college student.
My veganism has evolved along side my feminism and they constantly challenge and strengthen each other.
The goal of veganism is to eradicate the oppression, exploitation, rape and murder of non-human animals.
The goal of feminism is to eradicate the oppression, exploitation, rape, and violence against women whilst breaking down the patriarchal power structures in which these oppressions were created.
Sound similar?
Cause they are.
I do not consume dairy products for the simple reason that in order to be produced, a female cow must be raped repeatedly and her offspring is either sent to slaughter or forced into the captivity of being a milk cow.
I am an activist and fight for animal rights because I whole heartedly believe in equal rights for non-human animals to have a safe, fulfilling life, without being used for mankind's pleasure.
I am a feminist because having a vagina does not and should not require me to give birth and/or be a housewife. I am a feminist because when the ever nearing day of "post grad" is my reality and I hopefully have my first big girl job, I deserve to be paid the equal amount to my male co-workers doing the same job.
In the end, we're fighting for rights. Rights for women, rights for animals, rights for LGBT and Queer folks.
I can't be a feminist without my veganism and I can't be vegan without my Feminism.So now onto the period sponge.
With all the debate over women's reproductive health, freedom, access etc, Why there is even a debate between those with a uterus and those without IS BEYOND ME.., we have discussed the negative and down right outdated views on a women's menstrual cycle. Um hello, everyone came out of some woman's vagina... this is not a new phenomenon that women must bleed every month.
But nevertheless, some
What better example of this patriarchal society that we live in than the opinions of old geezers about women's reproductive health and 18 of the biggest companies that market solely to women, having board of directors being comprised mainly, of men. Avon was the only company with a board consisting of more women than men.
You go Glenn Coco
Frankly, I could go on for days about this. Considering this is literally part of every conversation in every class of everyday.
But I am using this as way to publicize my challenge for myself. Being that I am a female and am
Sup ADD,
Back on track: I'm all about changing society's mindset and feelings on femstruation. I have discovered this magical item called the Holy Sponge, which is an eco-friendly, plant-based alternative to a tampon. This company in particular is dedicated in celebrating the woman's body and the ability to shed part of her body in which she did not use that month to create another life. I find this incredibly beautiful..
"Who cannot love herself cannot love anybody. Who is ashamed of her body is ashamed of all life; Who finds dirt or filth in her body is lost."- Anne Cameron
So I am taking the Holy Sponge cycle on for my next Femstruation.
I challenge you to join me, to look at your body with constant gratitude and love. To allow you to be exactly what and who you are. To ignore the pressures to be toned and tan and thin and perfectly shaven 100% of the time. To be nice and sweet and sing to your body when it aches with pains of being a woman. I am challenging myself and anyone else who cares to join me to love my womanhood, every single bit of it. Including and especially the monthly painful, messy, bloating "inconvenience".
Well, I sort of created a novel here. All in the hopes of avoiding my Social Statistics homework at all costs, (It's as miserable as it sounds).
Embrace your monthly femstruation.
Namaste,
The 20-something old soul
