A Quick Comment on Part VII

In the introduction to Part VII: 1995-2003, Kolmar and Bartkowski write “Feminist politics in this period was being reshaped by a discourse about generations: second wave and third wave. While the third wave seemed to be articulating its developing identity in online zines, music lyrics, and websites, the second wave was consolidating and reframing the fast four decades of feminism through an outpouring of memoirs, documents collections, and histories” (531).

The first reading in this section--"Riot Grrrl Philosophy"--is written by Bikini Kill, a punk band comprised of members Kathleen Hanna, Kathi Wilcox and Tobi Vail. One of their assertions is "...doing/reading/seeing/hearing cool things that validate and challenge us can help us gain the strength and sense of community that we need in order to figure out how bullshit like racism, ablebodyism, ageism, speciesism, classism, thinism, sexism, anti-semitism and heterosexism figures in our own lives" (532).

To be honest, punk music isn't my thing. But I relate to what Bikini Kill is saying about the importance of engaging people--especially younger generations--with different forms of communication. For example the 30th anniversary edition of Our Bodies Ourselves and an old Janis Ian record comprise one of my first recollections of feeling feminist sentiment.

From my experiences as a teenager with "Society's Child" to the readings and theories I've discovered and dissected in this class, my progression as a young feminist is something I'm proud of. I certainly don't feel like I have all the answers. In fact, I hope I never feel like I have all the answers. What I've learned from feminism is that growth requires constant questioning of the powers that be. I've gained an ability to synthesize big picture and overarching issues which makes me feel confident that my understanding of women's issues, issues of gender and sexuality and other feminist topics has just begun to broaden.