Friday, September 14, 2012

Consent is Sexy...and Mandatory!

Consent is such an important aspect of sexuality and human existence. If I don't want someone to touch me or even come near me, that is my choice. I should be able to say "no" in any version of the word and have it understood and respected. Rape should never be as rampant as it is. People(regardless of gender) should have their boundaries honored. I mean, what is the point of having boundaries if no one respects them? Radical consent is my dream. I want to walk down the street and not be honked at, because for me that negative attention invades my boundaries. I want to not be leered at if I choose to not wear a bra(because I hate them). I shouldn't have to mention that someone shouldn't touch me without getting my permission first, but I have to because the prevalence of rape and sexual assault is not decreasing. It's being normalized. A woman's body is already a commodity in the media and it is becoming increasingly commodified in everyday life. Until people start respecting boundaries in non explicit sexual situations, I don't foresee any change in rape culture.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Where's my team?

I am a postmodern, slightly radical, riot grrrl feminist. I fight for women's rights. I don't expect a Queer or Black Rights movement to fight for women's rights. Why is it so fucking necessary for me to be a feminist crack feminist?! I am not a humanist. I never have been, I never will be. I fight the battles I want to fight and not the ones I don't. I have no right to fight a race related battle, because if I tried I am told I have no right to say anything, so I don't. When I try to work within the queer community, I am often treated as if I am not queer enough (I am categorized as bisexual), so I don't do as much in that regard. I tried to get involved with the Trans* Rights movement, but no matter what I try, it is made VERY clear that I am unwanted. It is constantly insinuated that I am cissexist.
Yes, my feminism is for women. When feminism was created it was for women. Its not that I want to deprive other people of rights, I just do activism in categories. I feel its more efficient. You don't fight the whole war in one battle throwing everything you have at them, that's how you lose. You use different tactics and generals and attack at different times. And I know once again I will be yelled at for this but, what good is it to hold everyone back to try to advance everyone equally? I get the "you are only as fast as your slowest teammate" philosophy, but I've done team sports. If you all run at the pace of the slowest person, you will never get any better. You need to pave the way, pull them along, without cutting your time. Finish the race then go back and run with them (if they want you to).