STOP CALLING ME GIRL!

Third Wave Feminism in the United States

Women’s rights have been a long debated and “hot” political topic in the United States as women have struggled for centuries to gain equality. The first wave of feminism struggled to obtain the right to vote. The second wave of feminism focused on social institutions including education, the law, the workplace and the home. Even after two waves of feminism, we live in a society in which women are continuously struggling for rights in all institutions. The third wave of feminism focuses on learning from the failures and successes of the past two waves, in addition to creating a new vision for feminism in the United States.  The third wave has some similarities yet also some very distinct differences from the previous two waves.  For example, the third wave is quite conscious of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disabilities and social class; thus, promoting inclusion of these social categories in the fight for women’s rights. Furthermore, third wave feminism focuses on the inclusion of feminist men as well as further examining the negative effects of society on boys and men.

Society tends to assume that women’s rights have already been achieved and there is no reason for a movement at this time. Furthermore, the concept of feminism and what it means to be a feminist is distorted and misunderstood in society.  Individuals who want gender equality still claim that they are not feminists.  Furthermore, the reality is that inequality still exists throughout society when it comes to women’s rights.  Discrimination may be more subtle, less overt, in some instances due to laws and changes in some attitudes. However, the issues are still there.  Third wave feminism is not only an important topic with regards to understanding women’s rights. Third wave feminism is an excellent example of social activism and learning about social change and social movements in contemporary society.

This project focuses on third wave feminism-what are the contemporary women’s rights issues? How are third wave feminists attempting to gain women’s rights?  How do we bring accurate information to the public about feminism, feminists and third wave feminism? How are social activists promoting social change in a contemporary environment?

The sabbatical project focuses on the following:

• Studying third wave feminism  through readings and  various organizations
• Creating a documentary on third wave feminism
• Creating a photo gallery on third wave feminism
• Creating assessment tools, a  resource manual, a website and events across the 10 campuses to share the project with MCCCD and the community

During the sabbatical, I hope to use my knowledge in visual arts to create a powerful documentary and photo gallery on third wave feminism in addition to further educating myself. I will be attending events and conferences organized by feminist organizations in addition to reading books, articles and websites. This project will also include assessment tool s and a resource manual for instructors to use in the classroom along with the documentary.  The project will focus on activism in Arizona, New York, Washington D.C. and possibly San Francisco.

Post-Sabbatical: Upon my return, I will share the documentary and a photo gallery of third wave feminism with the community colleges as well as the community. This will be done by providing the documentary on (streamed and DVD) for instructors to use in the classroom as well as organizing a film showing and photo gallery display with each of the campuses.  The assessment tool and resource manual will also be disseminated.

Post: June 2, 2011