THIS is what a feminist looks like

Since starting work at Feminist Women's Health Center this summer I've been thinking a lot about feminism and what it means to me. This internal conversation was precipitated earlier this summer when Lydia told me she considered me a feminist, and I was surprised before coming to my senses and realizing that I shouldn't be offended about that. I guess what bothered me then, and what bothers me now, about being "feminist" is that the term has a mainstream connotation, and I don't agree with it. So you see, it's that I don't think I'm feminist - I definitely am - but I don't want people thinking I'm something I'm not. So what does it mean to be a modern feminist to me?

All too often, we fall into the trap of defining feminism by the issues it defends. For example, feminism is about protecting women's reproductive rights, about breaking corporate glass ceilings, about lesbianism, etc. I don't like this definition of feminism, because it's utterly absurd to assume that all feminist will feel the same way these issues (unless, of course, you want to make "feminist" this super exclusive club, which is to say, stupid). I mean, for goodness sake, I WORK at an abortion clinic, and I still have qualms about certain aspects of it. So let's drop this issues stuff, because it totally denies the diversity of feminism, not to mention that it makes feminism sound like some kind of platform and not an adjective for PEOPLE. On the same note, let's also drop the whole "waves" business. That may be a convenient historical taxonomic system, but I think it's ridiculous when people proudly proclaim themselves "second wave feminists" or whatever. It just constrains what they can do.

If anything, feminism and being feminist should be a kind of mentality, or a way of living. To me, that's the only way to account for the diversity of feminist aims and personalities without losing the social coherence that we need. When I think of feminists, I think of women who think about their lives in a social context, who care about their actions, and who recognize their own ability to change things (preferably they do change things). So, no getting kicked out the feminist club if you believe that men should also be able to prosecute rape, or if you don't agree with affirmative action, or if you want to have a heterosexual marriage and raise 2.5 children in suburbia. Because what I hate even more than strangers telling me that I'm a dirty feminist are strangers telling me that I'm not a good enough feminist.

At it's root, I believe feminism is about women acknowledging their own power and not being afraid to make decisions for themselves. Let's face it - our own opinions are constantly being challenged by others, and much more so than mens. You like a certain brand of make-up? Well, Marie Claire is going to tell you that you should try Revlon's instead. You want to have sex with more than one man? Neighbors are calling you slut. And don't get me wrong, sometimes' it's truly well-intentioned. I want to pursue a career, but that doesn't stop my mother from asking when I'm going to get a boyfriend. You don't have to ignore this perpetual stream of influence; that would be impossible, not to mention superhuman. What you can do is take it into account, but not to heart. We're all smart women with our own reasons for doing things, and as long as we've given it thought, we shouldn't be ashamed of following through with our personal logic. That's it. No other credentials for being a feminist.

I think Jessica Valenti, author of Full Frontal Feminism, nails it on the head when she writes, "In the same way it's stupid to say that all feminists are hairy man-haters, it's stupid to say that women who rock heels and mascara aren't hardcore enough... Everyone has their own version of feminism, everyone has their own idea of what feminism is. It's not so important that we all agree all the time as it is that we respect each other's opinions. How else can we move forward without killing each other?"

please beware the quiet front yard

I haven't been sleeping so well lately, and I can't help but wonder if it's a symptom of too many thoughts starting to catch up with me. It's funny how ideas and doubts can lurk beneath the surface, like the ripple of a fish deep under the water - you don't even know it's there, but there it is, disturbing your cosmic peace. I could do some yoga, maybe go for a run until I forget about it, but I don't feel like doing that. I don't want to give myself a break. I'd rather just smite the problem at the source. Now if only I can determine what the primary problem is, because I know I don't have the energy to tackle it all. A few preliminary guesses: recent musings on mortality, the visceral effect of seeing an aborted fetus, stress about the upcoming year and the fact that I haven't bothered studying for the Boards AT ALL, men, cousins, my expensive yet unsavory haircut (grr), boredom?

And the year is just beginning - boy oh boy....

God Help My Profession

I recently read an obituary of a physician here in Atlanta, GA. In it, his spouse described him as a "good doctor" because he "only played golf on the weekends, reserving the weekdays for work." I don't mean to demean the dead, but seriously, is that something to be proud of? If we in the medical profession deserve ribbons for "good deeds" like that, I think I may go find another job.

Life

... can end so fast. It takes nothing really to come to a halt: an unpleasant surprise, the mischewing of a meal, the completion of a sentence. Or no precipitating factor. It scares me to know that the person I speak to this week could be dead the next.

Holy crap...

It's the 4th of July and I start work tomorrow!!

Mission District Murals

Oh, the colors, the wonderful colors! These murals are everywhere, and today, their expansion is largely through the efforts of Precita Eyes, an organization that trains young artists to create meaningful and aesthetic murals.

(painted by communist chinese!)

Mission District Photos

Our wonderful tour guide Roberto gave us a thorough and personalized history of the Mission District, known for its ethnic diversity (although most famously Latino) and its beautiful murals. I've included a few photos here of the neighborhood, including those that amused me. In a separate post I'll upload pictures of the remarkable murals strewn throughout the neighborhood.

This is the famous Brava theatre, which, since its founding in 1986, has specialized in premiering shows written by women of color and lesbian women.

In a related vein, this is Discolandia, which is supposedly still the best place to find and buy cutting edge and vintage Latino music.

I really liked the plethora of locally owned markets in the Mission district. No food deserts here!

This is an "electronic" mural, so one printed out on canvas and not painted. The text reads, "California law denies up to 60% of the agricultural workforce the right to obtain a drivers license." It's very in lieu with the general air of activism that permeates the murals here.

I just like this shot.

And I like these shots too ;-) (j/k)

Perhaps a rather ignominious photo to end this post with, but seriously... A Punjab restaurant that serves Chinese and American food, but not Indian? How misleading!

San Fran Gay Pride Parade

Oh wonderful prom pose.... Thanks to an invite from Reed, I got to witness my first ever gay pride parade with my once-so-innocent high school friend Cathy. Even without drinking. it was hella fun. Some highlights:

1. Swingin' Tittie Tassels: If you look closely, there should be no need for explanation. Auspiciously, this was one of the first things I saw during the parade.
2. Latino/Hispanic Pride: It should come as no surprise that this group had the BEST music.
3. Reuse This Ass: This was a spectator who happened to pass by me. I just had to snap a picture. It's not too obvious here, but he is ONLY wearing a plastic bag and there is a recycling symbol drawn on his back. Sexy!!!
4. Kids with Gay Parents: Gosh, I'm just so proud of them!
5. San Francisco Police Department: I was also very proud that the SFPD showed up in support. A sure sign that San Fran is a great city.
6. Party Float: There just needed to be one, okay? I think this MAY have been the Google float... not quite sure, though.
7. Lesbian Midwives: Megan knows why I put this in here. How freakin' AWESOME is that???!

And last but not least,

8. Gay Cheerleaders: What gay pride parade would have been complete without them?

Next up: sights from the famous Mission District...

San Francisco

San Francisco was amazing - vibrant architecture, eclectic and intelligent people (even the cabbies held great conversation), and absolutely gorgeous landscapes. I would definitely be interested in going there to practice medicine, especially if the government and community stay as supportive as they currently are. I'm going to upload some photos of my favorite sights, although I am sad to report that my camera ran out of batteries halfway through so I didn't get photos of many things. I'll try to filch them from other people and post them later.

Reclaiming My Room

I'm back in Atlanta for the summer. It's times like these when I truly see how my parents have appropriated my old room for their own purposes. Mainly, this means it has become a glorified closet. Well, this summer I'm reclaiming it. I insist on being able to fit clothes into the closet. I demand that my floorspace isn't clutttered with winecases and luggage carts! Tonight, I spent 3 hrs clearing out the room, ending up with about 6 bags of garbage. No doubt my mother will throw a fit about the "waste" but if you haven't missed it in 7 years, you're not going to start missing it now.

It feels good to have a place you can call your own :-)