PROJECT IN PRESENTATION
The final outcome of the project process is this spoken word performance, demonstrated through a short film. The poem generation feminist speaks about the differences experienced through growing up a younger generation feminist.
The protagonist experiences an everyday struggle of growing up a feminist within the 21st century with outdated values passed on to her by her own mother throughout the short film. The poem and the correlating visual images portray her conflict of pleasing and respecting the woman who raised her on one hand but trying to be her own person while trying to educate the older generation feminists around her, on the other.
generation feminist
by Jenny Bremerich
what does it mean to exist
as a 21st century feminist?
one might think it’s all sunshine and rainbows
all good and nothing spicy
because I tell people I am a feminist
I tell them what it is that I believe in
try to explain the intend and my motivation
what I try to fight for on a daily basis
and without a doubt
every single time
peoples first response
is either to laugh or to shout
at me that is
at me the feminist
what does it mean to exist
as a 21st century feminist?
Being told to be content with aged achievements
having nothing left to yearn and thirst
we already
have the right to voice our opinions in politics
we already
are allowed to govern over our hard-earned money
we already
are permitted to rule over our own bodies
what does it mean to exist
as a 21st century feminist?
magical is what my gran would use to construe
but in reality that is just not true
in reality
men still dominate positions in power
voicing our opinions doesn’t matter
in reality
men still earn higher wages
while doing the exact same type of labour
in reality men
still try to make decisions about women’s bodies
without ever having experienced its existence
so no, it is not all sunshine and rainbows
some things turn out to be spicy and vile.
To exist as a 21st century feminist
means fighting for ideals and rights
our ancestors could have only dreamed about
because they had more important issues at hand
like the right to vote
like being able to open a bank account
like being able to get an abortion without facing legal repercussions.
To exist as a 21st century feminist
means being raised by an older generation woman
it means growing up with outdated values and principles
while constantly being forced to be your own person
to be unique, to stand out
it means driving a rift between us and the women we look up to
the women we grow up with
may it be grandmas, mothers, sisters or any other female role model.
because growing up
I was told to look after myself
to pay attention to my appearance and look out for others’ opinions
because when stripping it all down
when taking all the layers off
when nothing is left than just a void shell of a miserable feminine body
all that is expected and aspired of me
is to reach the end target
to fulfil my duty
a duty of three parts forced to abide
that defines me as who I am
husband, house and heirs
my dictionary labels them under hell no
but how do I explain to my mother
that I might not even want children ever
that bringing innocent children into this cruel world
without their consent is classed as neglect under my values
how do I explain this to someone
who never knew anything different than being a housewife
someone who thrived off of being a package deal
of ten different occupations in one beautiful and attentive human being
who raised me with the same ideals
who drilled into my head
that family comes first
and I only come second
To exist as a 21st century feminist
means living by the standard of intersectionality
or rather having to constantly explain and defend
that even within the feminist movement others have it way harder
yes, we all face problems
but certain individuals in this community endure cruelty
I wouldn’t dare try to imagine
To exist as a 21st century feminist
means being taught that
feminism is all inclusive
it is all accepting
it is all ‘come as you are’
it pretends to be non-judgemental
being dismissed for not fitting the role of a traditional feminist
that is the harsh reality
we as 21st century feminists are constantly facing
for them feminism is about women’s rights, and women’s rights only.
they do not actively include individuals
that were born in the wrong body
they do not actively include individuals
that feel one identity one day, and another one the next,
they do not actively include individuals
that feel like they don’t belong into any gender
21st century feminism is not all about the woman anymore.
being a 21st century feminism means advocating for anyone and everyone.
it means to work towards an equality that includes all individuals
it means to accept individuals for what they are
gender identity, skin colour, ethnic backgrounds or religious beliefs
it means not being shamed for announcing being a feminist
because I tell people I am a feminist
I tell them what it is that I believe in
try to explain the intend and my motivation
what I try to fight for on a daily basis
and without a doubt
every single time
peoples first response
is either to laugh or to shout
not just at me that is
but at everyone that feminism helps to exist