Past Presents

"Iron Jawed Angels"

I first saw this film when it premiered on HBO. I was thirteen at the time and searching for my place in the world. I went through my political idealism phase very young and it was during that part of my adolescence that I first encountered the concept of feminism. After the film I started looking around and seeing all the injustices of gender. Growing up in a trailer park outside of a suburban Oklahoma town there was a lot to see. Over the years I've mellowed and have realized change comes with time, but watching "Iron Jawed Angels" again, got me just as fired up as the first time I saw it. We owe so much to these women and to ignore it seem to be taking it for granted, but then I realize all things have cycles, after great activism there is generally a decline in public involvement until a time when resources can be replenished and a new fight can begin, I think my age group is on the edge of such a decline. We (as women) have been backstage laying ground work for awhile, but I think as we come in to our own, get our degrees and go out in to the world we are going to be stretching limits and creating foundations for younger generations to built on, whether we take center stage or continue a more quiet fight.

Manifesta's Dinner Party:

This article, well book introduction really, makes me want to start an organization here on campus. It creates the urge to form a bond and start discussion. I had an abortion earlier this year. I haven't told anyone, except my mom and my sister. I probably wouldn't post it here if I thought anyone would really read it besides Dr. Pendly and Yaisa, plus there are forty people in class and none of them know me. I'm ashamed and it's hard. I would love to have a group to talk to, a "judgment free zone" so to speak, but I don't trust that to be possible here in the bible belt, maybe it isn't possible anywhere. It's encouraging to know that there are amazing strong women getting together though, even if they're not raising revolutionary flags or leading protests, just to know that personal progress can be made and maintained and sympathized with.