Analyzation: This essay is really important because it sheds light upon the disconnect between feminist theory and feminist practice, and the privilege associated with even having a term for what you are discussing. In the essay, hooks describes women all over the world who are theorizing and living feminist lifestyles without having ever studied these things in an academic setting. This version of theory is no less valid and should not be looked down upon from academic circles. 

 Reflection: I definitely relate to the idea of theorizing without having the proper terms for what you are doing. I would say that my whole family practices feminism in some way or form within their daily lives, and I was raised to question things my whole life. However, none of my family members are feminist scholars and they typically rely upon life experience rather than formal training. I have navigated feminist theory on my own, and definitely relate to finally having a term for what you are doing.

Analyzation:  Feminism is a label that often comes with bad connotations from society at large, and harsh expectations within feminist circles. There is no "right" way to be a feminist., if one aligns with the beliefs they are already doing the work. Gay confesses that she often does things that might make her a bad feminist, such as listening to “thuggish-rap” that often includes degrading lyrics (Gay 2:50). Though these things may contribute to the problems feminists are fighting, at the end of the day Gay is fully dedicated to the cause. 

 

Reflection: This TED talk really spoke to me, as I too feel like I am not always practicing feminism properly. I just recently started learning about feminism on the academic level, so it is all rather new. This TED talk made me feel seen as an imperfect feminist, and it is experiences like these that make this a necessary addition to my survival kit. 

Analyzation:  Sweden’s focus on creating equality for women in the country has done nothing but benefit the overall happiness and satisfaction of its citizens. All of the things that they have implemented are things that women around the world have been trying to achieve in their respective countries for years. This article is seemingly proof that other countries implementation of these policies and practices would do nothing but improve the lives of women. 

Reflection: For me, this article widens my perspectives on the global goals of feminism. Growing up in the United States we are told that we live in the best country in the world, though for women that does not seem to be the case. Articles like these prove to me that the things we are fighting for can be achieved, and that inspires me to keep going. I think that this article belongs in my survival kit because it is proof of the things that I personally want to see get implemented for women in my own country being realized in a great way elsewhere.

Analyzation: In this essay, it quickly becomes apparent that to be valid in our society you must be able to fit into strict binary categories. Not fitting into these binaries, no matter what they be, means that a person is outside of the norm. Everyday we go through interactions that are heavily based upon binaries. These interactions shape the way we think about how the binaries and norms are structured, which can be harmful to those who fall outside the binary.

Reflection: To me, this essay stood out because I had never sat down and thought about how binaries are so intertwined within our society. I am currently dating someone who identifies as nonbinary, so I am getting to watch firsthand how binary assumptions affect them. This essay gives me hope and inspires me to keep pushing for a world without binaries. 

Analyzation: This essay sees disability as something that everyone will eventually have to face. Because feminism and the act of being female were long thought of as being an inherent inferiority, disability theory would work nicely within the previously laid framework of feminism, so why not make feminist theory that much more inclusive. 

Reflection: This essay caught my attention when we read it in class because it taught me quite a few things about current disability scholarship. I really appreciated the idea being presented that disability is a concept of the society it is present in. I think this belongs in my survival kit because it challenged me to have a moment of critical thinking about something that was previously just something I assumed was a part of society. 

Analyzation: This story is very interesting, as it does not go the way one would expect a story written in 1894 to go. Louise hears of her husband’s death and immediately goes to her room alone, she marvels at the beauty outside as she comes to the realization that even though she had loved her husband, that meant little in lite of the “...possession of self-assertion which she suddenly recognized as the strongest impulse of her being,” (70). She was free to make her own life, that is until her husband walked through the door. So maybe she did die of joy, but it seems that she died of having the joy of personhood taken away. 

Reflection:  As a history major, I have focused a lot on early feminist thought and writing. Though it was written at a time when women were basically property to their husbands, the story features a woman being excited at the freedom of having a life outside of being a wife. I find that this story speaks to my own spirit of independence, and I feel like it has really influenced my thought.

Analyzation: Many of the countries that the West wishes to push development onto have been based upon subsistence economies in which “every family member traditionally is assigned roles which are essential to the survival of the unit,” (437). Women in these economies typically helped with farming and also did other things that were essential to the economy such as weaving thread ad fabric, cooking or preserving food, and making pottery. These are jobs that have either been given to man or fully automated meaning that women in these newly “developed” countries are finding they have less rights. 

Reflection: I feel like this is an odd essay to include in a survival kit, but I like critiques of Western ideals because they offer learning opportunities for me. I feel that articles like these make me a better ally to those who are different than me, which is why it belongs in my survival kit.

Analyzation: Though some of the practices described in the book were exclusively practiced by men, most of them were traditionally practiced by women. The authors of the book made sure to be as respectful as possible while writing this and made a point to dispel many of the negativity surrounding magic that came up as a result of sexism in a way that is easy to understand. The book has an empowering message of respecting and celebrating differences.

Reflection: I feel that this book belongs in my survival kit because it is teaching about something that I believe should be a part of global feminist thought. I also think that we have a lot to learn from kids, so the idea that children would come to respect all of these practices just from reading this book reminds me to allow myself to think like a child in my theorizing and see where it gets me. 

 

Analysis: This was one of the first depictions of teenagers protesting something going on within their school or hometown and being taken seriously. They were painted in a very positive light, and there were certainly some good criticisms being brought up. 

 

Reflection: This piece of media was one of the first things that I sought out when I was younger and first starting to get into activism and protesting. It was one of the first depictions of young feminists protesting that I had seen, especially in a cartoon, and it has meant a lot to me ever since. Even though it may be seen as problematic now, it was really powerful for me when I was growing up.

Analyzation: Most young women who are going to college today identify closely with some aspect of feminist thought. This is a rather new thing, as not too long ago being a feminist still carried a lot of negative stereotypes. The question being asked is basically how faculty and administrators should respond to this shift in consciousness for their students, and what does this mean for feminist movements in the United States.

 

Reflection: I identified closely with the women in interviewed for this piece. I have always identified with being a feminist, and the act of becoming an educated women is proof of the successes of the movements that came before me. This piece proves that the opinion of many is changing, and that the movement is still alive in the hearts of young women. 

 

Analyzation: I honestly think the true message of the song comes through in the first chorus with the lyric, “I’m just a girl, all pretty and petite. So, don’t let me have any rights,” (‘Just a Girl’ 0:40). The song chronicles this realization that while women are just a capable as men, they are still unable to do certain things out of fear. 

 

Reflection: This song was one of the many anthems of my childhood. I came to feminism from a place of pain, and at the time I felt that this song summed up a lot of the anger that I was feeling about the world around me. It got me through my angsty days of puberty, and still riles me up when need be.