REINVENT
  • HOME
  • MUSIC
  • MEDIA
    • BOOKS
    • MOVIES
    • SHOWS
    • MISCELLANEOUS
  • GIRLS
    • YOUR TURN!
  • ART
  • ADVICE
  • BEAUTY
  • FASHION
    • RAZZLE DAZZLE
  • FOOD
  • ABOUT
    • EDITOR'S NOTE

GOTM: FIFTH HARMONY

11/25/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
(L-R): Camila Cabello, Ally Brooke, Normani Hamilton, Lauren Jauregui, Dinah-Jane Hansen
     Let’s get straight to the point. Fifth Harmony is one of the coolest and most inspiring girl groups out there. Not only are they ridiculously talented and good-looking, but they also stand for something so important: women empowerment. This diverse group of young women have proudly shown just what it means to advocate and spread girl power through their music as well as through their actions. They influenced such a large group of young individuals to gain confidence and to take a stand against the patriarchal views of society. 

    Camila, Lauren, Dinah-Jane, Ally, and Normani aren’t afraid to call themselves feminists so here are a few instances where they proved to be our Girls of The Month:

1. WHEN someone asked this ridiculous question to them

Picture
Picture

2. when lauren flawlessly explained why they advocate feminism

Picture

3. When CAmila MENTIONED HOW THEY RESPECT WOMEN'S CHOICES

Picture

4. WHEN THEY EXPLAINED WHY THEY DRESS THE WAY THE DRESS

Picture

5. WHEN THEY GAVE PREFECT ADVICE ON SELF-LOVE

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

6. When They slayed this whole music video by portraying powerful and sexy women

     In fact, their whole album 'Reflection' features songs with lyrics that will really empower you to believe and have confidence in yourself. Fifth Harmony is definitely the right girl group young ones should look up to and admire because they represent a powerful voice of a generation that's actually trying to make a difference on how the world, especially pop culture, sees women. That's why they're entirely deserving to be called our Girls of the Month!!

- Reign Gonzales
click photos for sources
slideshow photo

0 Comments

WCW: PATTI RAMOS

8/26/2015

0 Comments

 
       As an emerging artist in the Philippines, Patricia "Patti" Ramos continues to use visual art and spoken word as a platform for promoting nationalism and feminism. Check out our exclusive interview with her and a video of her spoken word piece, Stone.
Picture
How did you get into art and spoken word?
      I got into the visual arts a very long time ago; I'd been obsessed with illustration and animation since I was a kid. I discovered art styles that appealed to me and I took inspiration from them until I came up with a style of my own.

      My family encouraged me to read voraciously so I guess that's where my love for really beautiful art comes in. It also inspired me to write, but I didn't know about spoken word until I first participated in open mics and later, developed my poetry. I've always wanted to be a performer and connect with a live audience but I didn't know how to sing or act or play any music. So, spoken word is the next best thing!

Who are your influences and inspiration?

        My list of visual influences changes and updates constantly mainly because I find someone new to take inspiration from or call my "art god" whenever I feel that their style fits my aesthetic or how I want my own art to look like. My heroes in the visual arts include Tony DiTerlizzi, Brett Helquist, Mary GranPre, Arnold Arre, Elbert Or, Em Carroll, Mike Mignola, Albert Gamos, Glen Keane, James Baxter, Bruce Timm, and so many others.

       As for spoken word, Sarah Kay exposed me to the whole scene, but I also love the work of Jesse Parent, Taylor Mali, Clementine von Radics, Gypsee Yo, local groups such as Words Anonymous, White Wall Poetry, and KM64, and a lot of others whose work I stumble upon online.
Picture
Do you think it's important for art and spoken word to be a medium for nationalism/feminism? If yes, why?
       Yes, I do! Art always has the potential to hold all kinds of meaning and to be revolutionary, subversive, and political. Viewers take one glance at art and immediately they'll start to feel things without even noticing or having to process too deeply yet. There's a possibility that when something catches their eye, they'll want to learn more about it, so I do think visual art is a very effective vessel not just for nationalism and feminism, but also for human rights in general and all their respective branches.

      Modern spoken word sprung out of North America from the African-American civil rights movement and up to now is a platform not just for "hugot" or love poems but also for speaking out on social issues.
I do believe it's important that artists and poets look beyond themselves and how only they feel so they could use their skills and media for higher causes and hopefully benefit other people.

What can you say about the art scene in the Philippines? What are its strengths and weaknesses?

        I find that the art scene in the Philippines is pretty solid from where I'm seeing it. In every medium there's a local artist with their signature style, whether it's visual arts or performing arts or literature or music, or even fusions of any of them. We Filipinos are constantly told that we're a talented people and I agree.

        On weaknesses, I find that some traditional Filipinos have a stigma about the arts because we get hung up on the salary aspect of careers to see that art really is everywhere - some people just get stuck on a specific definition of "art" to notice.

Picture
You have an interest in making pieces set in a historical background, precolonial and colonial times. What can you say about the evolution of the Filipino ideals on feminism through time? What can you say about feminism here at present?
       I believe that the Philippines, historically, has always possessed a feminist culture. Even though male datus were the head of the village, women (whether cisgender or transgender) played vital roles in their society too and were treated with about the same amount of respect as the men. We even have a hermaphrodite goddess. Look up Lakampati! Filipinos used to be so much more open with sexuality and equality until the colonizers mandated our actions according to their beliefs. Today, our society is extremely conservative and views sexuality as something immoral or to be ashamed of, and that women should conform to a certain modest, conservative attitude while at the same time condoning their hypersexuality and objectification. We're still a long way from moving on from these traditional, patriarchal attitudes, but hopefully with the emergence of the internet and of women's rights groups, Filipinos are opening up to all these "new" ideas and ways of thinking.

What about our Filipino Pride? From most scenarios we've seen it becomes a double edged sword. Do you agree or disagree?

      Haha, I agree! I find Filipino Pride misplaced at times... I don't know where this whole phenomenon even came from. Sometimes it's a weird mix of crab mentality and cynicism, then a kind of zealous fanaticism and imposed affinity when someone of Filipino blood achieves celebrity. I wish everyone were more supportive of one another from the start and not be fixated on the definition of "success" as fame, wealth, and the approval of foreign white folks, instead focusing on the real roots of the poverty and hardship they think that this "success" will bring.
Picture
How often do you perform spoken word? If often, do you still get stage fright? What do you do to calm yourself down?
       I perform spoken word when I'm invited, if it's for an organization I'm in known as Mga Apo ni Lola Basyang (check them out here), or when there's an open mic event and I have the chance to borrow the stage. My stage fright stems from my fears of forgetting my piece, embarrassing myself, or making myself look obnoxious or mean. I just try to be as laid-back as possible during the performance and imagine that everyone in the audience is a close friend. I think I also cope by awkardly rambling out my introductions.

What advice can you give to budding artists and performers?

       A lot, heh.  Have fun with what you do. Don't forget why you started getting into the arts and started performing in the first place. Don't stop doing what you're doing, don't be ashamed of sharing your work. It's okay to feel afraid of being judged, but don't let the opinions of others get to you if all you want to do is share your ideas with the world - there are always going to be people who won't agree with you, but there's usually people who will agree with and encourage you. And if there aren't any, that's okay too. Just don't stop improving and honing your skills, because there's always a better version of yourself. :D *two thumbs up*
Picture
QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS

What's the song you sing in the shower the most?

      Usually Broadway songs or Sia songs! Sometimes I even rehearse spoken word in the shower so I can memorize them, hahaha.

If you were a pizza topping, what would you be?

      I'd say barbecue chicken because it's my favorite, and not a lot of people I know order it much.

Shrek or minions?
       Shrek. I like the story and ideas better!

What's your favorite Ice cream flavor?
        Green tea! Or vanilla.

How do you like your potatoes?

       Mashed, fried, or rosti a.k.a. latke a.k.a. hashbrown/pancake! I'm not picky. :P


       Below is a video of her short spoken word piece, Stone.

Follow Patti on her social media!
Facebook | Tumblr | Behance
- Anna Cayco
0 Comments

HERSELF

3/18/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture"Be a living example of what you believe." - Caitlin Stasey
     From overly sexualized TV commercials to blatantly putting naked bodies on the front page of certain reading materials, we cannot deny that wherever we go, we can easily see proof of the objectification of bodies of people. Through some elements both on print and online, certain aspects of the human body and how it is perceived has changed for the worse and has become more of a source of income than something that should be respected.

     A lot of other problems have stemmed through this: like how people see themselves and their own bodies and how people present themselves in public. Some women, for example, have burdened themselves with the thought that if they achieved some physical expectation set by the people behind these marketing techniques, they will be more accepted and loved. Some women would also go to the extent of adjusting their whole wardrobe and how they generally feel about things just to feel better about themselves. These are problems because some things, like certain body parts and the human body in general, have been reduced to existing for the sake of someone else's pleasure or benefit and not as a person's own body.

     A few months ago, Caitlin Stasey, a firm believer of equality and women empowerment, put up a website called Herself. In this website, women from different places and walks of life come together to 'reclaim their bodies'. They pose naked, in their truest, most vulnerable forms, and each entry is accompanied by the insights and stories of each woman featured.

“Herself is a gesture to women for women by women; a chance to witness the female form in all its honesty without the burden of the male gaze, without the burden of appealing to anyone. These women are simply & courageously existing, immortalized within these photos. Within their words, their experiences and stories are offered on Herself in the hopes of encouraging solidarity – that maybe we as women will take comfort in the triumphs of others rather than reveling in each other’s defeats. Let us reclaim our bodies. Let us take them back from those who seek to profit from our insecurity.” (Source)

     Herself aims to provide a platform for women everywhere to be more than what is being shown on TV or on the internet. It aims to show that women everywhere are more than their breasts and their vagina and their other body parts. There are more to women than their bodies and they should not allow themselves to be enslaved by what they see in the mass media or by what other people are telling them.

     Your bodies are not for someone else's pleasure or enjoyment. It's time to reclaim your bodies.
Picture
Picture
Know more about Herself!
Website | Twitter
NOTE: We acknowledge that the objectification of bodies does not only happen to women but to men too and it is very important to know that both are not okay. People are more than their bodies and they should not be treated as merely objects available for someone else's pleasure.


- Marian Plaza

click photos for sources

References:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
0 Comments

THREE MISCONCEPTIONS OF FEMINISM

3/18/2015

0 Comments

 
       Wanna know what starts heated arguments on feminism? It's the misconceptions of feminism. Is it surprising that even if we have the Internet at our disposal at almost any given time that we still have this wrong idea of feminism? I don't think so. Some people don't need to Google what feminism is because it's drilled into their skulls that it's automatically a bad thing. Maybe the Internet's partially to blame as well with all those opinions floating around in space. 

        Well, here let me clear a few things up to end all of this chaos.

FEMINAZIS ARE VALID FEMINISTS

Picture
      Here is the definition of feminism, according to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary:

      "the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities."

      Woah, look at that. Apparently feminists don't oppress men! In fact, all they want is both men and women to be equal, not for men to be crushed under our heels. Although I acknowledge the existence of feminazis or radical feminists, they are not real feminists. What they believe in is that all men are worthless meat sacs filled with bodily fluids. There's actually a term for that: sexism. Here's a definition:

    "Sexism is the gender discrimination is prejudice or discrimination based on a person's sex or gender." (x)

       Feminazis treat men with this stereotype that they're all prone to committing misogyny. Of course that isn't true and that is also being unjust. Feminism doesn't believe in that. We believe that women and men should stop treating each other with hostility or unjust inferiority. We're all humans. Let's just keep it at that. 

Picture
A diagram to explain it better

Feminism is for women Only

       What most people believe is that women are always the victims of the deeply established patriarchy. This is not quite true because are also affected by these ideas imposed on society. Again, feminism believes in equality of genders. We believe that men can cry, men can be feminine, and men do not need to follow this preconceived idea of "being a man". What do I mean by this? I mean they don't have to sleep around to be a man. They don't have to lift 200 pounds to be a man. They don't have to watch straight porn all the time to be a man. They don't have to have a penis to be a man. (x) They don't have to be anything they are not to fit into society's cutout of a man. And feminism is there to help them do exactly that.
Picture
A perfect example as to why men need feminism
Picture
Have some more!
Picture
And more.

All Women are Feminists

       There are two cases of women who don't support feminism as far as I have researched. If you check out this Buzzfeed article, it gives you 14 women who say they don't need feminism. But in actuality, it's their reactions to the wrong type of feminism or feminazis. Feminazis are traumatizing and they are not afraid to tell someone to kill themselves because they defend men. This movement has affected women who were looking for equality and has made them disassociate themselves with the true movement of feminism. This is very disappointing but the way people should address is to consider their situation first as to how they could have come to this belief rather than viciously attacking them for being slightly wrong.
Picture
Picture
     The second case is of women who slut-shame or shame other women in general for their interests and hobbies. Have you seen those posts that say "date a girl who reads" or "date a girl who watches [insert TV show]" or etc? I don't think there is anything wrong with that because I'm pretty sure dating a girl who reads or watching this certain TV show does have its advantages. But when people put too much context into what was said, that's when they cross the line. I have seen people react to those posts practically saying that those who love books or a certain TV show are so much better than girls who like to party, who like to go out and be extroverts (which is a whole other argument) or whatever. That's called internalized sexism. Those who slut-shame also do the exact same thing because they shame women for wanting to have sex or for wanting to dress provocatively. Those who shame a woman for crying and not being what we call "strong" do the same. This is not what feminism's all about. 

       We don't need all this criticism in the world. We just need to be more open, accept people as human beings, and treat them equally with respect. That basically sums up feminism. 

- Anna Cayco
click photos for sources
0 Comments

HE FOR SHE

3/11/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
     In the past, women were treated as a graveyard of men. Women were only used to be rested upon by men’s tired bones—treated as if they were not necessary in the evolution of mankind. Prostitution, domestic service, housewives, insufficiency, these are a few examples of gender inequality. Originally, the movement for feminism was a struggle (it still is! But it is improving) and was only done by women for women.

     Fortunately, as the years go by, some men have begun to defend women and join them in the fight for gender equality. Men are starting to promote equality and call out all the wrongdoings in the past millenniums.

     One of these movements is called HeForShe.

     It’s vision is to bring harmony from one half of the community to support the other half. They believe that the only way to stop sexism is by promoting gender equality. The campaign encourages both women and men, together, to put an end to sexism.

Picture
Picture
     There are three key messages of HeForShe:

     ⊕ Gender inequality is one of the most persistent human rights violations of our time. Despite many years of promoting gender equality, inequalities among women/girls and men/boys continue to manifest in egregious ways around the world.

    ⊕ HeForShe is a solidarity movement for gender equality that engages men and boys as advocates and stakeholders, to break the silence, raise their voices and take action for the achievement of gender equality.

      ⊕ Gender equality is not only a women’s issue, it is a human rights issue that affects all of us– women and girls, men and boys alike. We all benefit socially, politically, and economically from gender equality in our everyday lives. When women are empowered, the whole of humanity benefits. Gender equality liberates not only women but also men, from prescribed social roles and gender stereotypes.

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture


Read the whole ACTION KIT of #HeForShe here!

Be a part of the movement!

- Jiona Lagmay
click photos for sources

References:
1 | 2 | 3
0 Comments

GIRL OF THE MONTH: MALALA YOUSAFZAI

1/6/2015

0 Comments

 

Malala YousaFZai

Picture
How much do you believe in education? When was the last time you convinced yourself that your education is just as important, or to some extent even worth more than your most prized possession? 


      Malala Yousafzai earned her badge of honor by becoming the youngest Nobel Peace Prize Winner last October 2014 because she believed that women and children deserved to be educated just as any person should be. She believed that everyone had the power to voice out her thoughts about the world and what seemed wrong about it.  She used her courage to defy existing norms that called out injustice so that she can bring herself and her community to better circumstances.

      She was very vocal about the Taliban’s banning of girl’s education in Pakistan. In 2008, she gave a speech entitled “How dare the Taliban take away my basic right to education?". In 2009, she wrote diary entries for BBC under the name Gul Makai (a heroine’s name from a Pashtun folk tale) on the experiences she was going through. She became a huge threat to the Taliban and was eventually shot by a gun man - the bullet penetrating through the left side of her head. She went through several measures to ensure her recovery and luckily survived.

       Malala is recognized internationally for her phenomenal efforts to fight for her cause. She has won and has been nominated by many prestigious organizations for awards, has released a book ( 
I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban), and has immersed herself in causes that bring education to more children.

       EDUCATION IS A RIGHT, NOT A PRIVILEGE – they all dare say. But how do we convince ourselves that this is indeed reality? How are we to convince ourselves that anyone is entitled to this no matter what her circumstances may be when we still strive in a world where people hover off to great extents like hungering or abusing themselves just to be able to reach a classroom, sit, and open their minds to new knowledge. How could something so fundamentally simple as receiving an education be a complicated feat to accomplish? When will the sun rise to the day we see all children have smiles on their faces because we all know they knew something new from the classroom that day without having to face the threat of danger in return?

       For anyone privileged enough to be receiving education, never take what you have learned for granted. Pour in effort to your schooling. This is not to say that you have to drown yourself completely in books. Learn things you think will benefit you, refine the ideas you receive, challenge rules and theories, and surround yourself with mentors and friends that will help you establish your identity and purpose in the community.

       We own the power to change our world’s circumstances and drive our own future  – the only thing we have to do is to convince ourselves we can. 

- Bea Ticsay
click photo for source
video courtesy of Youtube

References:
 1 | 2 

0 Comments

Carrying The Weight

12/11/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
     When you speak and the person with whom you’re speaking with doesn’t listen, what do you do? You try to get their attention so they listen to what you’re saying, right? 

     That’s exactly what Emma Sulkowicz did when her complaint for the mishandling of her sexual-assault case fell on her university’s deaf ears. And she caught their attention in a really massive way. 

Picture
     On the first day of her fall semester at Columbia University, she brought the twin-size mattress from her dorm room in school and carried it around all day. The mattress, where she was raped by a fellow student two years ago, represents not only the actual crime that was committed against her, but also the emotional weight—the burden—of having such abuse happen to her with no consequence for her abuser and of being ignored by authorities. She calls this performance art “Mattress Performance or Carry That Weight,” which she is doing not only for her thesis, but also to call to protest, and attention the injustice that has been done to her—she will not stop carrying it until her rapist no longer attends the same school as her, even if it will take until the day of her graduation.

     Ever since she started, she has been garnering a lot of attention. It is quite difficult to ignore someone lugging around a long, heavy mattress all around campus, especially if it’s for a significant and powerful cause. Her protest is being noticed not only by people in the university, but by people all around the world. Her performance art made some buzz on social media, and she even landed the cover of New York magazine, with a feature on her story. Her movement is so powerful, that she has become the symbol of the fight against rape culture.

     So what is rape culture? It’s not really just a group of people who promotes rape, but a society that collectively thinks that rape is acceptable. Rape culture consists of “practices that we engage in as a society that excuse or otherwise tolerate sexual violence.”

     Rape culture is blaming victims for what happened to them. Rape culture is justifying their rape based on what they were wearing, or how they were acting, prior to their rape. Rape culture is calling victims who report their rape “liars,” that they’re “overreacting,” and that they probably deserved what happened to them.

     Rape culture is letting rapists run free, with no consequences whatsoever. Rape culture is only 3% of rapists serving a day in jail. 

     Rape culture is joking and making light of a violent crime. Rape culture is t-shirts and other merchandise with slogans that make rape a joke.

     Rape culture is having media, songs, shows, movies, that objectify women, that sexualise them. Rape culture is making men in charge of women’s sexuality instead of having women themselves be in control of their own bodies.

     Rape culture is saying that men who are raped shouldn't complain, that they should enjoy it. Rape culture is refusing to acknowledge that anyone can get raped regardless of gender.

     Rape culture is the fetishization of minorities: of people of color, of trans people, of non-binary people, of genderfluid people, of non-monosexual people. Rape culture is refusing to kink-shame sexually immoral and illegal acts like pedophilia.

     Rape culture is pornography that is easily accessible, pornography that always depicts sexual violence and dominance towards women. Rape culture is sex workers who are dehumanized constantly.

     Rape culture is saying that rape is just “kinky” sex, when it is in fact an act of violence. Rape culture is teaching how not to get raped instead of not to rape. 

     The list goes on and on, and rape culture will not end unless we, as a society, make active steps to fight towards it, even in simple ways. We may not all be like Emma Sulkowicz who is strong and brave enough to carry the symbol of her oppression, but we can help her carry the weight so that victims of rape culture won’t have to suffer anymore.

Picture

- Isis Evangelista
click photos for sources
video courtesy of YouTube

References: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
0 Comments

Woman Crush Wednesday: MINNA SALAMI

7/10/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
        Africa is probably not the first thing that comes into mind when one says the word feminism. Actually, I do know that feminism isn’t rampant in Africa since it does rank the lowest in the global gender equality index and has some of the highest numbers for domestic abuse. And I don’t even want to go into the extremely painful punishments they give women there. And yet, we don’t hear much from the African women. It happens, but where are the complaints? Media of course plays a key role in this. It’s the reason why neither you nor I know much about Africa to start with.

          But of course there are women who have risen against patriarchy and did something quite commendable with their empowerment. I’m talking about Minna Salami. Minna has worked all over the world and has worked with journalism giants such as Huffington Post and the Guardian. Her site has been nominated and won many awards such as the Africa Diaspora Award for Outstanding Achievement in Media in 2013 and has been featured on Applause Africa 2012 for “40 under 40 African change makers”.

Picture
    Those awards, nominations, and achievements are portraying to her blog. She is the founder and creator of the site Ms. Afropolitan, “…a site that aims to unravel myths surrounding Africa and womanhood from a feminist perspective and which provides narratives that remain largely obscure from mainstream media.” This is what I believe is a necessity for every emerging country, to have a well of knowledge and thought-provoking articles at one’s fingertips. Not only African women read her blog but women from all places and of all races who just want to talk about Africa. Yes, feminism is the key focus of this site, as well as pop culture, and other African affairs.

     I could go on, honestly. But just check out her site and it will explain its glory on its own. 

Follow Minna on her Twitter!

- Anna Cayco
sources: 1 2 3 4 5
0 Comments

Feminism in the Middle East

7/2/2014

0 Comments

 
     Whenever the Middle East is brought up, what comes to mind? What is your perspective on the people who live there? Western media and culture heavily influence the rest of the world’s perspective on this region of our planet; heck, even the term “Middle East” is Euro-centric (the more accurate, Asian-centric name would be “Western Asia”). So because of this, we tend to have a lot of stereotypes—usually negative ones—about the Middle East and the people who live there.
Picture
     One of the most prevalent stereotypes is that Middle Eastern = Arab = Muslim = terrorist. Yes, Arab is the most predominant ethnic group, but there are also plenty others, including Persians, Turks, and many more. Same goes for Islam—it is the predominant religion, but there are many others, including Judaism and Christianity (which were, if you’ll recall from your world history class, both established in this area of the world). Also, Arab and Muslim are not necessarily the same, as there are Arabs who are not Muslim and Muslims who are not Arab. The Middle East is actually really diverse with their many cultures and religions, that just doesn’t get represented in the media very often, if at all. As for the terrorist/bomber/criminal/violent/etc. stereotype, which I believe was further propagated after the 9/11 attack, that is definitely not true, thinking that is way outdated and if you do think that I suggest you get some perspective. You’ll find that terrorists can come from any part of the world. (Just saying.)
Picture
     Another common stereotype is that the Middle East is all desert; again, false. Having traveled to the Middle East a couple of times in the past, I can assure you that you can see more than just sand, oil, and camels. Though the climate is more on the warm side (it reaches over 40 degrees Celsius in the summer!), there’s plenty more to see other than the desert. Aside from the existence of fertile forests and mountain ranges, the architecture of buildings in the cities there are amazing. Even all the roads and highways look very well planned out and paved, you wouldn’t even think you were in a desert.
Picture
     But the one thing that irks me the most about the Western view on the Middle East is their perception of women. In Western media, Middle Eastern women are almost always represented as either belly dancers or concubines part of a harem. These women, oftentimes the women who wear veils or hijab, are viewed as oppressed by their religion. To those people who think that, let me ask you this: aren’t a lot of women from various parts of the world also oppressed? And aren’t these women battling their oppression, to claim the rights they rightfully deserve?
Picture
     Just as women in all parts of the world are fighting oppression in its many forms, so do the women in the Middle East. There are feminists in the Middle East: women who are fighting for their rights, much like feminists in other parts of the world. It’s just a lot harder for them in the Middle East, because as mentioned earlier, Islam is the predominant religion in this part of the world, and for the longest time, Islam has been interpreted and promulgated as a male-dominant religion. So, in response to this, Islamic feminism was born.

Picture
     Islamic feminism is vastly different from Western, secular feminism because it is more radical, and basing its ideologies and arguments on the Qur’an. In the present, Islamic feminists fight against the Muslim Personal Law (MPL) which includes laws on polygyny (polygamy in Islam), divorce, marital property, etc. They also debate on the laws regarding dress code, whether or not the veil (hijab/burqa) should be banned, required, or optional. Additionally, they call for equality in the Mosque, and in leading prayers. This brand of feminism extends beyond the Middle East, as there are Muslims in other parts of the world as well — in Pakistan, Indonesia, and many others. Islamic feminists are seen protesting for the rights in the streets, making discourse about Islamic beliefs, and in some cases, even leading countries. Little by little, they are gaining power, not to dominate their male counterparts—which is the common misconception about feminism—but to be equal to them.


     Despite this, feminists in the Middle East are far from achieving full gender equality, much like the rest of the world. Probably because sexism and misogyny is so deeply entwined in our culture, not just in any specific religion, but in society, in our day to day life. We are all still fighting, no matter what religion or race, to be equal with each other. So if you are reading this, and have realized how truly messed up our world is, try to do something about it. Whether you have any negative racial stereotypes, or see sexism in your daily life, fight against it. It may not do much right now, but it may, in the long run. It’s time for us to be on our own side, right?
Picture

- Isis Evangelista
sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
0 Comments

FEMALE Power!

3/12/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture


We teach girls to shrink themselves
To make themselves smaller
We say to girls
"You can have ambition
But not too much
You should aim to be successful
But not too successful
Otherwise you will threaten the man"
Because I am female
I am expected to aspire to marriage
I am expected to make my life choices
Always keeping in mind that
Marriage is the most important
Now marriage can be a source of
Joy and love and mutual support
But why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage
And we don't teach boys the same?
We raise girls to each other as competitors
Not for jobs or for accomplishments
Which I think can be a good thing
But for the attention of men
We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings
In the way that boys are
Feminist: the person who believes in the social
Political, and economic equality of the sexes
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie from Beyoncé s ***Flawless 
(originally from "We should all be feminists")


Picture
    
      Women have come a long way from the first wave of feminism in the 19th and 20th century. Since then, they have worked hard on gaining their rights as women and gender equality in the society. Now, women have more rights than we can compare to the generation of women in than last 20 to 30 years. Women are slowly dominating the different industries in different occupations. But now, can we really say that their hard work paid off? 

   In the speech delivered by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a Nigerian author, during the TEDxEuston last April 2013 which was sampled by Beyoncé in her song ***Flawless, she talked about how the gender norms and roles did not really change since then. The society still expects women to think of themselves inferior to men. Society, although it recognizes women and their abilities, still puts men first. Even if women have proved that they can do most, if not all, the things that men can do, people are still not satisfied. There are women weightlifters, female bodybuilders, policewomen and soldiers; what proof do they still need? Why do they still think that we should only be stuck doing house chores? Why do they still think that we are only good for family matters and nothing else?

Picture
     According to The American Association of University Women (AAUW), women get only 77% of what men were paid since 2002 until 2012. This gets worse if you're not White (source). This statistic is only from the U.S., what more if you're from smaller and third world countries like India and countries in Africa where gender inequality is more evident? 

     Now, I know that there are things that men can do that women can't and vice-versa, because duh! there are really some natural things that we can and can't do, I accept that, but at least respect our capabilities and talents. At least acknowledge our rights and that not all women are the same. At least let us have a chance to show you that people in our gender can do things spectacularly. Let us show you that we are people who can do things with more finesse and grace, something that boys sometimes lack.

Picture
     I know that all this coming from a teenager is a bit petty, but it's not. Me, my generation, grew up to this, and the future generation will too. They will grow up in a world where after 100+ years, they're still thought of as little. They will grow up knowing that they won't be able to conquer the world because a man will beat them to it. They will grow up with the thinking instilled in them that they should not succeed too much to make way for men. And this issue concerns me because this is my future. When I work, this is what people in my workplace will treat me. As a teenage girl living in the 21st century, I want to be really successful and have a good future where I'm happy. I want to be like J.K. Rowlling or Beyoncé or Michelle Obama, conquering the world and making a difference. I want to be like them, the minority of people who has achieved so much in this world, women.


- Kim  Alivia xx
source: 1 | 2 | 3

0 Comments
    Everyday girls with not so everyday lives and weekly inspirations for the soul.

    Categories

    All
    Alcohol
    Amandla Stenberg
    Ana Matti
    Andrea Lopez
    Animal Rights
    Anna
    Anna Cayco
    Anna Marcelo
    Art
    Barbie
    Bea Ticsay
    Being Alone
    Bianca Galila
    Bisexuality
    Body Image
    Body Shaming
    Bullying
    Caitlin Stasey
    Carry That Weight
    Chesca Serrano
    Chino
    Choice
    Colonial Mentality
    Cultural Appropriation
    Culture
    Daniela
    Daniela Regis
    Danielle Bernabe
    Danzelle
    Danzelle Collantes
    Daydreaming
    Delete
    Domino Kirke
    Drag
    Drugs
    Dual Citizenship
    Education
    Egypt
    Eliza Espino
    Equality
    Feminism
    Fiction
    Fifth Harmony
    First Love
    Frances
    Frances De Guzman
    Frances Seno
    Free The Nipple
    Friendship
    Gabriela Silang
    Gender
    Gender-fluid
    Generation-gap
    Girl Crush
    Girl Gang
    Girl Of The Month
    GOTM
    Grace Kelly
    Halsey
    HeForShe
    Herself
    Holidays
    Hometown
    Intersex
    Isis Evangelista
    Jamie Catt
    Janelle Monae
    January
    Jayrene Cruz
    Jeline Catt
    Jemima Kirke
    Jess Brown
    Jiona Lagmay
    Jose Rizal
    Kate Nash
    Kim Alivia
    Language
    Laura Alonso
    Laura Aonso
    Laverne Cox
    Leader
    Letters
    Lgbt
    Lina Esco
    Lola Kirke
    Long Distance Relationship
    Love
    Madrid
    Maisie Williams
    Malala Yousafzai
    Marian Plaza
    Masturbation
    Maxine
    Maxine Velasco
    Mela Papio
    Meninist
    Miley Cyrus
    Monogamy
    Mountain Climbing
    National Hero
    Nationalism
    Nikki Alarilla
    Nomophobia
    Non-binary
    Nudity
    Obsession
    One Direction
    Online Relationship
    OTP
    Parallel Universe
    Parties
    Peer Pressure
    Periods
    Personal
    Philippines
    Pimples
    Plastic
    Power
    Pride
    Racism
    Rape Culture
    Reign
    Reign Gonzales
    Relationship
    Relationships
    Renee
    Reverse Racism
    Ronda Rousey
    School
    Selena
    Sex
    Sexuality
    Short Stories
    Slut Shaming
    Social Issues
    Sofia Cope
    Soulmates
    Stereotypes
    Stories
    Story
    Superpowers
    Technology
    Teenagers
    Therese Goudin
    Transgender
    Transportation
    Travel
    Trisha Carpena
    Uber
    Victoria Urrutia
    White Privilege
    Whitewash
    Willow Smith
    Woman Crush
    Woman Crush Wednesday
    Youth
    Zendaya

    Archives

    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013

    RSS Feed


ABOUT     EDITOR'S NOTE     CONTACT

DMCA.com Protection Status
REINVENT MAGAZINE © 2015