Seize the Day: Personal Empowerment Through Travel!

I knew at the start of my recent trip to England that I'd meet interesting people, see magnificent historical sights, and learn a lot about writing (because of the Oxford summer program I enrolled in), but what I didn't realize was how fundamentally these new experiences would change me.

Crossing the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in my life turned out to be the most empowering thing I have ever done, both as a human being and as a woman.

Traveling has helped me build a stronger foundation of confidence and self-assuredness. A foundation I can fall back on when I feel tempted to believe those little germs of self-doubt, of worry, of fear.

While I certainly had plenty of help throughout the six weeks from friends and family members, I spent a lot of time alone in England. So if I got lost or confused, I had to either figure it out on my own or approach a complete stranger and ask for help! This dilemma, though sometimes inconvenient, forced me to interact with others and to assert myself. Eventually I learned to just do what had to be done rather than waste time moaning about it.

I also learned to be content spending quality time alone. Sometimes I had a companion and sometimes I didn't. I wasn't going to just sit at home each night because I had no one to go out with! Instead, I went out and enjoyed myself without worrying what others might think. I went to malls, museums, parks, restaurants, plays—all alone. Eventually I got over the awkwardness, learning to relish those moments to myself, learning to appreciate solitude and quiet reflection.

On the flip side, I encountered so many cool people! And I did have moments when I really thought I'd die if I had to try and carry on a coherent conversation with yet another stranger, but overwhelmingly people were totally kind and helpful and interesting. I feel less hesitation now to interact, less anxiety over what others think about me based on what I say and do. Of course we have to be careful when traveling alone, especially as women (we shouldn't have to worry more than men do, but that's the reality). Yet let us not forget that our Heavenly Parents populated this earth with a variety of amazing spirits. These people all have different backgrounds and different lifestyles and different beliefs, but my impression from the traveling that I've done is that people are generally just good. Most of us are just trying to be decent human beings, even if that's achieved in different ways.

I know how lucky I am to have had this opportunity. I had lots of financial help from lots of sources, and not everyone can receive the same assistance that I did. But there are ways you can make traveling happen for yourself, even if you go somewhere a hundred miles from home as opposed to a few thousand.

I challenge you all to branch out and travel somewhere new whenever possible. In exploring other parts of the country or the world, you will develop your own abilities to do cool things like navigate and communicate. You will learn to savor solitude and to relish interaction. You will encounter more of God's children in their own environment. ADSENSE HERE

Do you hate Mother’s Day?

Some love the holiday and some hate it. Last weekend I had an opportunity to be home with my own mother for the holiday—an opportunity that I quickly seized. It was a quiet but nice day. We went to church, cooked a nice dinner, and played two games of Yahtzee that I lost miserably. While it was a pleasant day, I couldn't help but think of all the women who find Mother’s Day so painful or terrible and I wondered how it could be worked out so that my little family could enjoy our day celebrating the joys and sacrifices my mother has given us without causing so much hurt to so many.

As I sat in church I thought about the women who would never have children in this life. How terrible it must be, I thought, that year after year there is a whole day dedicated to that painful reality. Then I thought about the children of mothers who were or are still abusive, manipulative, sadistic, and plain and simple bad mothers. How cheated and broken this day must make them feel. Then I thought about the women who have lost children or children who have lost mothers, and the hurt that comes from what once was and cannot be in this life.

I read a blog post recently in which a woman stated that she hated Mother’s Day because she didn't like insinuating that women with children were more important than women without children. I guess I never thought about it like that. Mother’s Day was founded by a woman named Anna Jarvis who wanted to honor the sacrifices that women made for their families. I don’t think you have to have children to fall into that category. I make sacrifices for my parents, my sisters, my grandparents, and my husband all the time. In many ways I mother them from time to time. Most women (and men for that matter) make similar sacrifices. Have we changed the meaning of Mother’s Day to a point that not having children of your own exempts you from being important or loved?

Please understand that I am not trying to pass judgment. If you hate Mother’s Day there is undoubtedly a good reason for it. I just want to start a conversation. If you hate Mother’s Day I want to ask what people could do around you to make it a little more bearable. What do you need so that I can have a quiet day honoring my mother without making you feel sad? Is that even possible? 

ADSENSE HERE

Why "the BYU Groper" Matters

CW: sexual violence, consent, victim-blaming

Hide yo kids hide yo wife
and hide yo husband cuz I’m gropin errbody out there 

If she is still going on her midnight jog #Shewantsthegrope

The above tweets are just a couple examples of the tasteless jokes tweeted and retweeted by the satirical “BYU Groper” Twitter account during a disturbing surge of on-campus sexual assaults. Some students also made flippant T-shirts sporting messages like “I AM NOT THE GROPER” and wore them around the BYU campus.

A few weeks ago authorities identified the perpetrator, arresting him for sexual battery. Plenty of coverage has been devoted to this young man, but I feel we have yet to direct adequate attention to the public’s response to his attacks.

I've heard people criticize the attacker’s victims: Why didn’t they just kick him or run away? Why didn’t they just shout at him? Why bother reporting his actions when in any other city no one would give the dude a second glance?

And I've heard people criticize school officials for swiftly banning him from the BYU campus: What happened to innocent until proven guilty? Think about how this minor incident will affect his entire future.

Such reactions really disturb me, but perhaps we can use them as a tool to instruct and inform those who remain ignorant about sexual violence.

Our tendency to blame or question the victims of sexual assault (because yes, that's what unwanted groping is, whether you think it's funny or not) demonstrates rape culture's prevalence in today's society. You might firmly believe that using violence or force to coerce someone into sex is wrong . . . but what about unwanted touching? What about victims who don't fight back? What if there's no physical violence but a whole lot of pressure and shame?

Assault is assault. Consensual sex (or any sex-related acts) can only occur when each participant has clearly consented. That covers everything from sex itself to swatting at and groping body parts. What happened on campus is a big deal because those women DID NOT CONSENT. They felt like someone had revoked their bodily autonomy, their ability to control what/whom they come in contact with. They felt violated and they bravely decided to tell someone. Perhaps, yes, in other places in the world the victims would not bother to press charges. But that illustrates more of a global problem with rape culture and our acceptance of sexual violence and non-consent than it illustrates Provo naivety.

Furthermore, blaming victims causes them further trauma and contributes to rape culture. You don't know what goes through a person's mind when faced with sexual assault. You don't know how you personally would react until it happens to you, and even then no two people are necessarily alike. Maybe the victims didn't have time to process what had happened. Maybe they did but they were too surprised to take control. Maybe they were embarrassed (because let's face it, our culture is not always kind to sexual assault victims). And maybe it's none of your business why they didn't fight back or shout! I think we could put our minds to more productive uses if we thought of ways to better encourage victims to speak out and to more effectively punish sexual offenders.

Some critics scorned BYU officials for banning the offender from campus before he was even put to trial. That’s a hard decision to make. Does the university protect an alleged perpetrator who can continue to violate and harm other innocent victims throughout a lengthy legal process or do they protect the students who are at BYU under the assumption that BYU is a safe place to be? There is the possibility of falsely accusing someone, which admittedly is horrible. It's a complicated issue. Which is worse, the risk of damaging one's reputation or the risk of having one’s body and trust violated? Which would you choose?

In any case, don't joke about sexual assault. It's no laughing matter. The consequences are grave for both the perpetrator and victims. Any kind of sexual violence hurts real people and contributes to a harmful rape culture.

ADSENSE HERE

Happy Anna Howard Shaw Day This Friday

Don't feel like celebrating Valentine's day this Friday?

Well, here's another option.

Anna Howard Shaw was born 14 February 1847.

She was pretty influential. She was

a leader in the suffrage movement in the United States, one of the first ordained female Methodist ministers in the United States, and a physician.

Celebrate the women in your life and those who changed history!  :)

(Shout out to Liz Lemon from 30 Rock!)

ADSENSE HERE

International Day Against FGM

Define FGM:

• “The part or total removal of the external female genital organs for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons.”

What is FGM/C?

• Abbreviated form of Female Genital Mutilation.
• Because the term mutilation can cause offense where this is a cultural tradition, some people prefer to call the practice FGC (the “C” stands for Cutting).

How many women are harmed?

• Between one hundred to one hundred forty million girls and grown women around the world.
• Every day about six thousand girls are at risk of having FGMs performed on them.

Why do FGMs limit the speech of girls? 

• Because they are under the age of eighteen years old, daughters are unable to express dissent.
• There is serious physical and mental damage done to the body.

When are FGMs performed?

• Usually before the girl has gone through puberty, between four and eight years old.
• Number of FGMs performed on infants only a few days, weeks, or months old is increasing.

Why is the average age dropping?

• The practice is not used as much today as an initiation into adulthood.
• Adults want to avoid governmental interference.
• Adults want to avoid resistance from the girls because they form their own opinions as they grow up.

What can be done? 

• This is a direct violation of the first amendment.
• Lawmakers must pass the Girls Protection Act of 2011.
• This will make it illegal to take a girl outside of the USA to circumcise her.

Why were FGMs performed originally?

• FGMs have been performed for a long time. According to the writings of the historian Herodotus in the Fifth Century B.C.E., circumcisions, which were performed by Egyptians, Ethiopians, Phoenicians, and the Hittites, were referred to by the Ethiopians as “pharonic circumcision,” thus implying that Egyptians were the first to perform FGMs. Circumcisions, which were common among the wealthy and the powerful of Egypt, were considered an economic necessity. When men were away for a long period of time, female circumcisions ensured that children born during the men’s absence would be their own (Watson 422–3).

Cultural Influences

• Cultural influences greatly impact the reason why FGCs are performed on young girls. FGCs are believed to preserve family honor and supposedly protect women from seducers and rapists (Shah, Susan, and Furcroy 4577). In many societies, “[t]he status, security and the economic prosperity of a woman may depend on whether she is married, which may well be [dependent] on whether she has been cut” (Davies and Dustin 7). If a woman is not cut, she will often not find a husband, thus diminishing her chances of being accepted in her culture and having a role in society (Davies and Dustin 7). If the vagina is considered ugly in a particular society, the FGC “makes a girl more feminine” (Davies and Dustin 8) because the parts that could resemble the male penis, such as the clitoris, is removed completely. On the other hand, according to Dr. Adeline Apeana of the History Department from Russell Sage College, FGCs were done in parts of Malaysia and Indonesia, which are mostly matrilineal areas, in order to enhance female sexuality. However, FGCs are not limited to primitive, tribal communities. They have been performed in the United States, as well, for treating conditions such as masturbation, hysteria, depression, epilepsy, lesbianism, and urinary frequency (Shah, Susan, and Furcroy 4577). Blue Cross Insurance covered the costs of three thousand FGCs until 1977 (Watson 433).

Health Damages

• Female genital mutilation/cutting is a harmful procedure performed most often for cultural reasons. As people become more informed of the detrimental impacts of FGMs, they occur less often. Sometimes this information is not available to parents because of the traditions of their past and they do not have the knowledge or access to learning about the repercussions.

Short-Term Health Risks

• Intense pain
• Bleeding
• Shock
• Bacterial infection
• Tetanus
• Hemorrhage
• Septicemia
• Other injuries to nearby tissues are high immediately after the procedure is performed.

Long-Term Health Risks

• Cysts
• Infertility
• Bladder Infections
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Dysemenorrhea
• Pelvic Pain
• Hemtocolpus
• Dyspareunia
• HIV can be spread when same instrument is used on several girls without sterilization in-between each procedure.

Education of the Mother

• As the mothers’ education increase, the number of FGMs decreases. Congress must pass legislation that will include informational meetings, commercials, pamphlets, or other forms of publication to alert people of the disturbing consequences of FGMs (Simister 247-57).

Medicalizing FGMs: Not the Answer

• Making FGCs legal if performed by a medical professional would not help solve the problem but would make matters worse. Allowing minimal cutting to the genitals of any female would “still represent an infringement of bodily integrity” (Davies and Dustin 8). Suggestions of making FGCs legal if the procedure is performed under anesthesia are unacceptable because the emotional and physiological damages will continue to impact the woman throughout her life. 

Sources:

1. Dustin, Donna, and Liz Davies. "Female Genital Cutting and Children's Rights: Implications for Social Work Practice." Child Care in Practice 13.1 (2007): 3-16. Academic Search Premier (EBSCO). Web. 27 Oct. 2011.
2. Johnson, Dan. “Breaking: Girls Protection Act Reintroduced.” Girlscampaign.com. Girls Campaign. 11 July 2011. Web. 31 Oct. 2011.
3. Shah, Gaurang, Luay Susan, and Jean Furcroy. "Female Circumcision: History, Medical and Psychological Complications, and Initiatives to Eradicate this Practice." The Canadian journal of Urology, Vol.16.2 (2009): 4576-9. Academic Search Premier (EBSCO). Web. 3 Nov. 2011.
4. Simister, John. "Domestic Violence and Female Genital Mutilation in Kenya: Effects of Ethnicity and Education." Journal of Family Violence 25.3 (2010): 247-57. Academic Search Premier (EBSCO). Web. 28 Oct. 2011.
5. Watson, Mary Ann. "Female Circumcision From Africa To The Americas: Slavery To The Present." Social Science Journal 42.3 (2005): 421-437. Academic Search Premier (EBSCO). Web. 12 Nov. 2011.

ADSENSE HERE

A Voice for Courage: Sophie Scholl

It can be tough to talk about some of the serious and real issues that are discussed on this blog. I know that for me, it can be empowering and invigorating to study about what is going on in the world and to find ways to contribute and help, however it can also be information overload, or just disheartening. However, I find it helpful to look at the humble giants throughout history who have accomplished great things despite their circumstances and challenges.

To finish up my posts about human trafficking and slavery, I wanted to talk a little bit about one of my favorite heroines, Sophie Scholl. This girl was so incredible. Sophie lived in Germany during the reign of the Nazi Socialist party. She and her brother and other peers were students at the University of Munich who started the non-violent anti Nazi revolutionary group that they called the ‘White Rose’. They had a few reasons for the name, but the one that sticks out to me is that the white rose symbolizes purity and innocence in the face of evil.

Their situation was different than ours is today; however, they were still motivated by the same principles of love, freedom and peace for all people that motivates us as disciples of Christ. The girls that I have been talking about in my posts in regards to human trafficking are oppressed in different ways, but however different their circumstances, they still need freedom. They need someone to fight for them. They need voices of courage to speak for them.

Sophie and the other members of the White Rose boldly spoke out against that terrifying regime. They were so passionate about the rights and freedom for their people that they wrote out their philosophies and pleadings to their fellow Germans and then distributed them on leaflets and left them anonymously throughout the campus.

Can you imagine the courage that it would take to speak out against the Nazi party? The Nazis were ruthless, but these students knew and understood the value of truth, the worth of freedom and the worth of each soul. They knew that it was worth sacrificing for and Sophie and many other members of the White Rose became martyrs for their cause.

The victims of the Holocaust were ripped from their homes and dehumanized, their possessions were taken from them, and they were brutally killed. The victims of human trafficking are similarly often ripped from their homes and societies, dehumanized and brutally abused. They face terrible atrocities and as Mormon wrote, they are [deprived] . . . of that which [is] most dear and precious above all things, which is chastity and virtue’ (Moroni 9:9).

Thank goodness for that passion for freedom that has driven countless people to crusade and fight for liberty and safety and to fight against the opposition of purity and innocence. Thank goodness for people like Sophie Scholl and those of the White Rose who put every ounce of effort that they had into spreading the message of truth.

One of the Women’s Services and Resource Center’s themes right now is "Be a Voice of Courage." We may not need to sacrifice our lives for the causes that we feel passionate about, but even if you are only one person, your voice is valuable and you can make a difference through your actions and most especially with your words. Be a voice of courage and take a stand for freedom, whether it is in your broader community or within your own home.

Another way that you can participate in the Voice of Courage Campaign is to run with us October 19th at the Voices of Courage 5K. The run will start at 8:30 am at the RB Quad.

Also, another P.S. There is a great movie screening next week on campus that talks about these important women’s issues and helping women to become free all around the world. If you would like to see this film, Half the Sky, I definitely encourage you to go! It will play in two parts: the first half will be played October 2nd and the second half will be shown on the 3rd. It will be in room 238 in the HRCB. Join the Facebook group here.

ADSENSE HERE

We Are Free, But Not Everyone Is

During winter semester, I had a chance to go to a forum on campus. I didn't really know what it was about, but I really like trying to cram in as many interesting things as I can, and on our campus that is pretty easy to do. The forum was titled, 'Global Understanding and Activism' and that sounded intriguing to me, so I decided to go.

The professors began talking about the issue of modern day slavery. At the time I didn't realize that slavery had much relevance to our culture. However, as I listened, I began to understand how wrong I was. They talked about men and women all over the world who were trafficked for sex and forced labor everyday in our nation and in our neighborhoods. That was the first time that I had ever heard the number of 27 million slaves in the world today. 27 million! 27 million lives, 27 million faces, 27 million hearts, broken. It was overwhelming and difficult to conceptualize.

The story of Elizabeth Smart is one of the most familiar stories that we have of sex slavery, however, there are many women victimized every day. Granted, there are men and children, but the numberless women are the overwhelming majority. They each have their own stories of shattered hearts that go unheard. Within our own country there are thousands of women who are abused and tortured. 

An organization that actively combats human trafficking is the Polaris Project. The organization has stated, “With 100,000 children estimated to be in the sex trade in the United States each year, it is clear that the total number of human trafficking victims in the U.S. reaches into the hundreds of thousands when estimates of both adults and minors and sex trafficking and labor trafficking are aggregated”.

One of the most recent stories that I heard was surprisingly close to home for me. I grew up an hour outside of D.C. in a safe Virginia suburb. I was privileged to have incredible access to education and culture and most of the parents of the children that I went to school with were not only prominent leaders in our community, but also in the country. In all places, the FBI recently discovered a trafficking ring in the county next door to where I grew up and in the same county that I recently spent 3 months interning over spring term.

This is an excerpt from article about the case as reported from the National Public Radio:

"JOHNSON: In some cases, increasingly, the FBI is identifying criminal groups who are engaging in this activity. In the Northern Virginia area, there have been numerous recent criminal cases involving the MS-13 gang, sometimes, girls in very affluent communities, to try to lure them into this behavior and they get in way over their heads.

SAADA-SAAR: These gangs that used to sell drugs—and even along the same routes that they used to sell drugs, are now repurposing those routes, like I-95, Route 1, to sell the girls. And it makes sense because it's more profitable to sell the girl, right, because she's reusable as opposed to the drug, and there's very little risk to these individuals." (Finding And Stopping Child Sex Trafficking).

Isn't that chilling? ". . . she’s reusable . . ." Girls in my own neighborhood, objectified and stolen or manipulated from their homes to become a part of a life that is difficult to escape. It sounds so dehumanizing, and it is, but the scary part is that it's only the beginning. It's only one gang in one county. It was wonderful that the FBI was able to rescue 106 children from slavery and they arrested 156 pimps over the summer, but the remaining numbers, excuse me, the remaining souls are so staggering that it hardly seems like a dent.

I don't want to go too far into the horrors of trafficking in this post, but there are some links that I will include if you would like to learn more and have a deeper understanding of what it means to live in that sort of captivity. Many girls are brainwashed, most all of the girls are beaten daily and escape is nearly impossible, especially if there is no one to help them.

Some argue that Sexual Freedom creates trafficking, but I like what Chelsea Bakaitē, of the Women’s Studies Department on campus, said of the importance of this issue, “The female body is the main symbol for sex in America. It's important to me that women feel a part of their bodies as having full ownership. I think it's embedded in social thought (which also ties in with modesty rhetoric) that a woman's body isn't just her own, it also belongs to the gazer or the critic. Eating disorders, porn, myths about a woman's libido, the term ‘slut’, criticism of single mothers, public harassment, groping, and rape are all tied to the idea that a woman's body also belongs to those around her as an aesthetic/pleasurable instrument. I think this very much affects girl's and women's self-confidence and aspirations”.

So how do we give women, not only their bodies back, but how do we give them their souls back? Who will help these women to have strength to fight, and who will stand up to these men committing these atrocities? And how do we help women to step out from behind these mentalities that are degrading and damaging?

I think I have an 'I want to save the world' complex and I often want to change the injustices that I come upon, but in all solemnity, this situation of trafficking is a reality that we need to change and eliminate. Another powerful quote from the same article, "It's important to see this issue not really about vice, right, not about prostitution. This issue is about violence against our girls that plays out in this country. This issue is not disconnected from the statistic that one in four girls, by the time she reaches 18, will be sexually abused. There also are lost girls. They're girls who have not been claimed by their families, who have not been loved and we have to be able to see them, and we have to be able to recognize that they need support and not judgment” (Finding And Stopping Child Sex Trafficking).

While I was researching this topic and a few other related topics I had this realization: we are free, but not everyone is. This idea of slavery is nothing new. Our history is filled with tyranny, hatred, abuse and slavery. Even in the world today there are so many who are oppressed by their circumstances, and yet here we are in this land that is by far more free than many other countries. Here we are at this University with these incredible resources. How do we use what we have been given? How do we utilize our liberty to help those who are not free?

There are a myriad of ways that we can make a difference. This is a difficult subject because it seems so big and impossible to combat, however the reality is that we need to do something. We can’t let our anxiety towards the situation stop us from reaching out. We are free, but that does not mean that we should be content. I love the quote by Joseph Smith when he said, “A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race” (History of the Church, 4:227).

I don’t really have any one answer on how we can help, but I believe that as we are actively engaged in trying to learn, and involve ourselves we can do something.

The Polaris Project is just one of many organizations that fights against human trafficking. Their website offers a few different ways to get involved here:

http://hq.salsalabs.com/o/5417/p/dia/action3/common/public/index.sjs?action_KEY=14244

BYU will be screening an important film about girls all over the world. ‘Half the Sky’ will be presented at the HRCB in room 238 in two parts on October 2 and October 3 at 7pm. You can join the facebook group here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/542531872485700

A really great Ted Talk about the realities of Human trafficking can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeOumyTMCI8

A webpage created by the World Health Organization educates people about Female Genital Mutilation:

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/

Article and Illustration by Normandie Luscher

ADSENSE HERE

Challenging Society's "Rules" About Gender

Manal al-Sharif
Image from www.TED.com

I recently watched a TED Talk by Manal al-Sharif. Manal al-Sharif is a Saudia Arabian woman who, in 2011, started a revolutionary campaign in her country to give women the right to drive. As part of the campaign, she posted a YouTube videoof herself driving a car in her country, an act that at the time was considered an outrageous violation of social norms for women. For months, she faced brutal persecution from people within her own country, and was even imprisoned for her actions. (See this 2011 BYUWSR blog post written around the time of her campaign.)

In the 2013 TED Talk that I watched (click here for the video), Manal al-Sharif begins by asking us which we think is harder—battling oppressive governments or battling oppressive societies. She then goes on to describe the opposition that she faced as she fought to chance the societal restriction that kept women from driving. At the time al-Sharif started her campaign, it was not against any written Saudi Arabian law for women to drive. She wasn't breaking any laws by taking the wheel! Driving a car was, however, a violation of society's “rules” about how women should act. As al-Sharif describes in this talk, the no-driving rule placed on Saudia Arabian women was based on the premise that women are weak and need protection from males, and that doing something like driving a car required permission from these male “protectors.” In reality, the no-driving rule was not about protection; it was about oppression, and Manal al-Sharif decided that, because of her love for her country, she would do something to change society's perspective. And so, despite the opposition, she took the necessary steps to make monumental changes in her country.

In the United States, both men and women are fortunate to enjoy many freedoms that we sometimes take for granted (for example, the right to drive a car). Not all countries experience the same type of gender issues as Saudia Arabia. However, gender issues still exist in every society. Manal al-Sharif's experiences should make us all think, regardless of the society in which we live.

While we might not have to worry about whether or not we will be arrested for simply getting behind the wheel, there are still many issues to consider. When a woman feels that she can't speak out about being physically, sexually, or emotionally abused because she's afraid of victim-blaming, we can be sure that something needs to change. When women are publicly mocked or shamed because of their body weight or body shape, we know that something needs to change. When women and girls feel such intense pressure to look or act a certain way that they start to engage in self-harming or risky behavior, we can be positive that something needs to change. The same goes for situations in which men feel pressured to participate in degrading conversations about women because it's “guy talk.”

My favorite quote from this TED Talk was, “A society will not be free if the women of that society are not free.” Al-Sharif got a standing ovation from the audience for those words, and she nearly got one from me as I watched her talk from the comfort of my living room sofa. Her statement is absolutely true. So much of a society's success depends on the success of the women within that society. In a 2009 First Presidency message, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, 

Sisters, you are an essential part of our Heavenly Father’s plan for eternal happiness; you are endowed with a divine birthright. You are the real builders of nations wherever you live, because strong homes of love and peace will bring security to any nation. I hope you understand that, and I hope the men of the Church understand it too.

Our Heavenly Father's plan requires equality for both His daughters and His sons. He sent us here as members of His divine family not to compete with or degrade each other, but to work together toward our eternal destiny of inheriting all that He has. While we cannot choose the social environments we are born into, we can choose to uphold the divine birthright that President Uchtdorf talked about and do our best to be “builders of nations.” Programs like WSR's Voices of Courage or Recapturing Beauty can be a means by which we can make a difference.  Our personal movements for building nations on correct principles of equality might not be as monumental as those of Manal al-Sharif, but they can lead to big changes.

A few questions to consider:

Are there traditions, customs, or attitudes in our society that oppress men or women?

How can you recognize these traditions or customs?

Which issues are the most important to you?

What will you do to change them?

Article by Jessica Croft

ADSENSE HERE

"Jesus Is A Feminist"

“Jesus is a feminist.” My Relief Society sister said this to me as a matter of assured fact and with obvious enthusiasm.

I thought for a moment about how the general public would react to that statement. I remembered moments when I had stated that I myself was a feminist. I typically received reactions ranging between two extremes. One was that I was praised for shunning my patriarchal oppressors who expected me to only become a lowly housewife, locked inside of some 1950s sitcom. The other reaction brought an onslaught of raised eyebrows and quizzical looks that suggested that I must be apostatizing from the Church. Sometimes I received small bursts of negativism and a prompt change of subject.

Some of these reactions startled me a bit, but I think more importantly, they motivated me to ask honest and sincere questions. I realized that when I explained what I thought and felt about women’s issues, others didn’t always agree that what I talked about was defined as feminism. So my first question, however basic, was "What is feminism?"

I noticed that there was a vast difference of opinion from not only members and nonmembers of the Church, and male or female, but it also was significant to note my environment.

There are many girls on BYU campus who are very passionate about women’s rights and equality and they proudly share their title of "feminist." I realized that most of them looked at the term in a vast sense of simply “supporting women,” which is close to how I originally defined the word. When I interned in Washington, D.C. however, people assumed that I, as a self-proclaimed feminist, was pro-abortion, a supporter of sexual freedom, and a power-hungry man-hater . . . or something like that!

I’ve come to realize that "feminism" is one of those incredibly loaded words that means something very different to each person. Some take a self-assumed definition which, as it does in most cases, causes greater confusion, contention and places distance between parties.

Since I have started claiming that I’m a feminist, I’ve decided to do some more research to try and understand within several contexts, what it is exactly that I am trying to say (a smart idea in any case, right?!).

First, for a little debrief on the history of feminism. There have been several "waves" of feminism that have each tried to accomplish different objectives.

1st wave: The first wave of feminism encompasses the initial forms of freedom for women in regards to politics and voting rights with the women’s suffrage movement.

2nd wave: The second wave of feminism was concerned with inequality and preventing discrimination between the sexes.

3rd wave: By far the most controversial wave of feminism was the third, which sought to change stereotypes of women and social perceptions of who a woman is and what defines her.

As it goes in politics, there are conservative and liberal sides within the feminist perspective. Some women want to become the dominant gender, while others simply want to support their fellow sisters in being the best they can.

There is one point that I want to emphasize. When I was talking to one of my friends (a very politically-involved Republican in D.C.) about the term "feminism," he asked, ‘So you don’t feel that men and women are equal?’ The question caught me off guard and I doubted my own stance for a minute, but then I realized that I suppose my answer is no.

I think that the equality between women and men has come a long way in a very short amount of time. This is arguably the best time in the history of the world as far as gender equality is concerned. However, that does not mean that there is freedom for every person. Some forms of oppression are very directly tied to women and there are several specific points that cause women’s issues to remain extremely relevant.  

These are four issues that I think take precedence, and I plan to write about them in later posts:

Educating Women

Human Trafficking, Sex Slavery, and Genital Mutilation

Women in Media

Self-Esteem, Emotion & Depression, and Perfectionism

There are a myriad of issues that pertain to and directly affect women. I feel that when loaded terms and phrases such as "feminism" and "gender equality" are thrown around, the uproar that the words cause end up overshadowing what the words actually indicate.

Those who say that feminism is utterly absurd typically feel that feminists are too aggressive and will jump down their throats in a discussion, and therefore it’s not worth the time to engage with them. I’ve also experienced many times those same people rolling their eyes and not taking much time to listen, even when an attempt is made to be extremely civil in discussion. While there have been several extreme groups throughout history and there are still extremists today, those extreme groups are not necessarily inclusive of every perspective.

What I fear is that when feminism is dismissed or pushed under the rug, these pressing issues are swept away with them. If we never take the time to discuss and learn about the real plights of women, we will never take action against the reality of oppression.

When we run from these issues are we not "going away also" as the Savior indicated to His disciples in John 6:67? I believe that there is a great work for us to do, and that as daughters in His Kingdom, God has endowed us with the power and responsibility to face that work. I believe that the second most important message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, after the Atonement, is the principle of freedom. John Green, my favorite historian, writer/philosopher, and advocate of empathy said, "Try to remember that the world isn’t just, because only then will we have the power to change it." Recognizing that there is room for improvement does not degrade what we have already accomplished. It is striving for Zion, which I think we could all do a little better at.

What I really think feminism is, is embracing freedom for women and treating women--including ourselves and other women around us--with dignity. While some may view feminists as radicals who only glorify women in the work field, I think that feminism cannot be all encompassing until the role of a mother is included in the empowerment of women. Mothers are leaders in their homes and in their communities. As quoted by Kid President, “The secret to changing the world? Moms”.

So would Christ be a feminist? To me He is. To me, He is the greatest supporter of women, but it depends on how we look at the word. So how will we define it? What does it mean to us? While a new wave is not necessarily in order, is a new word in order? The concept of feminism itself is still very new and in some ways fragile and I think we will only know when we take the time and the thought and the research to find out and to decide together as a community of women, men, citizens and saints.

I will go more in depth in future blog posts, but I would love to hear your thoughts and questions. Let me know in the comments below!

Article and Illustration by: Normandie Luscher

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Herstory: Malala Yousafzai

The story of this young girl inspires me so much that she deserves her own Herstory blog.

Malala was born in Pakistan in 1997. In the Swat Valley, where Malala lived, the Taliban banned girls from going to school and Malala became an education and women's rights activist. When she was 11 years old, she anonymously wrote a blog for the BBC detailing what her life was like under Taliban rule. The next year, a documentary was filmed about her life and she rose in popularity, giving interviews and becoming the youngest person to ever be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

On October 9, 2012, Taliban gunmen boarded the bus that Malala was riding home from school and demanded to know which girl was her, threatening to shoot everyone if she didn't identify herself. When she did, they shot her in the head. The bullet went through her head and neck and lodged in her shoulder. She was taken to a military hospital and remained unconscious and in critical condition until she was well enough to be flown to a hospital in the United Kingdom.  Miraculously, Malala survived and has completely recovered with little to no brain damage.

Following the assassination attempt, a United Nations petition was launched in her name, demanding that all children worldwide have access to education as a basic human right. She also was named one of Time Magazines 100 Most Influential People in the World. After repeated threats from the Taliban to continue to seek her life, Malala and her family have had to stay in the United Kingdom; it is too dangerous for them to ever return to Pakistan. She spoke to the United Nations earlier today for the first time since the Taliban tried to kill her. Her message continues to be compulsory education for all children across the globe, regardless of gender.

"Let us pick up our books and pens. They are our most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world. Education is the only solution." —Malala Yousafzai

Today is Malala's 16th birthday. Happy birthday, Malala. Your bravery inspires us.

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Fallout of Feminism?

I just read an incredibly interesting article by Rebecca Walker, the daughter of Alice Walker (hardcore feminist and author of The Color Purple). Rebecca writes about what it was like to grow up with a mother who believed that being a mother was a form of servitude.

Read the article here.

What a fascinating view into how extreme forms of feminism can affect men and children, and even the women who espouse these ideals. In a religious culture where we believe that motherhood is a cherished, higher calling, it is difficult for me to wrap my mind around a woman who would view her own daughter as "'a delightful distraction,' but a calamity nonetheless." As a mother myself, every single accomplishment I make outside the home is magnified as I share it with my husband and my child. When people ask me what it's like to be a mother, my answer is always, "My son is my finest accomplishment." There exists a kind of joy in mothering my son that does not, and cannot, exist for me in any other kind of personal success. And like Rebecca Walker, I truly do feel that way.

   

I take offense to the kind of feminism that pretends to support all women, but spits in the face of women who choose different paths than they do. I think of the many women that would love nothing more than to experience the joy of motherhood and who are unable to for whatever reason. What excruciating heartache. And then to be told by extreme feminists that kids would have just ruined their lives anyway, unthinkable. It's hard enough to be a woman in our culture, so why add salt to the wound? We should be sisters in a true sense: supporting, lifting, and encouraging all women to lives their lives in the way they choose. If you believe that children are a burden, you have the right to choose to be childless. If you want children, you have the right to make that choice as well. We don't need to place judgment on one another for it. Whether stay-at-home mom, working mom, or working woman, all women deserve to be celebrated for what they do. ADSENSE HERE

Feminism and Me

"Hi, my name is Carly and I'm a feminist."

Like I mentioned in my previous post, LaNae and I spoke on a feminism panel this week and the students in the class submitted a bunch of questions. I was so excited as I read through them, that I started typing up my thoughts, but we didn't get anywhere near answering them all, so I thought I would choose a few of my favorites to share here. They came up with good questions that clarify what feminism is and some really thought-provoking questions that I hadn't considered before.  

I think feminism gets a bad rap and I think it's because we have a stereotype of feminism in the popular culture that paints feminists as no-leg-shaving, bra-burning, man-haters. Perhaps there is an extreme subset of feminists that fit this caricature, but most of us are normal women just like you.  Once I've used the following questions to clarify what I believe about feminism, maybe you'll discover that you're a feminist, too! My disclaimer, however, is that I certainly don't speak for all feminists; these are just my humble thoughts and opinions on the matter. Some feminists will agree with me and others may disagree. But such is life!  

What is feminism to you?

For me, feminism means that both men and women are allowed to do what they want/love without being held back by strict gender stereotypes. Additionally, because women have typically been in a lower power position in society, feminism is about empowering women instead of shaming them, creating support and connection between women instead of fostering judgment and jealousy, and offering encouragement and opportunities for women to reach their goals regardless of what those goals are.

In my experience, most feminists are not trying for equality between the sexes but are trying to put women in the position of power. How do you feel about this statement, and do you think it is correct or incorrect?

I think it’s a common misconception. Just like in any group, there are extremists and, unfortunately, those extremists often have the loudest voices, giving the appearance that they are the majority. In my experience working with WSR, working as a therapist, and simply just interacting with women in general, most of us are feminists in some way, but more demure feminists. Heck, I've even met some male feminists along the way as well!  I don’t believe that you either are a feminist or you aren't a feminist; there is a spectrum with space in between and everyone falls somewhere on the spectrum, some further to the left than others.

Do you see any value at all in “gender roles” for men and women?

I do. I believe that having roles is an essential part of developing a sense of self and feeling like you have a place in the world. Your gender is a significant part of your identity, so having roles that allow you to act out that part of your identity are beneficial. It is when gender roles become too rigid or restrictive that problems arise. If we are forced to remain in one role and only one role, we feel stifled and stuck.

What is your opinion of the portrayal of women in the media? Who do you think is the best example of a well written strong female character in TV and movies you've seen in the last few years?  

I think, for the most part, that it’s demoralizing and despicable. The sexualization and objectification of women in the contemporary media is incredibly harmful to men and women alike. Seldom do we see a positive portrayal of womanhood without at least some objectification. It took some thinking, but I came up with a well-written, strong female character in the media whom I adore: Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series. I love that she uses her intelligence, her compassion, and her loyalty to make a difference in her world. At no point is she painted as using sexuality to get her way, the men around her see her as an equal (sometimes as their better), and she is in no way dependent on men in her life to "save her." In the social media, she is often compared to a notoriously anti-feminist character, Bella Swan from Twilight. While Bella literally falls apart when her love leaves her, Hermione stays strong and continues to do what she knows is right. Does she mourn him at times? Absolutely. But she forges on courageously.

From a feminist point of view, do you feel that women in the LDS church are oppressed or in any way marginalized?

Oppressed, no. Marginalized, yes, to an extent. I feel like the voices and influence of women in the church can get lost in the shuffle. I think the organization of the church can be utilized in ways that take advantage of the powerful influence of the women of the church. A good example that recently set people all atwitter was women offering prayers during this past General Conference. It is vital to differentiate here the difference between the doctrine and the culture. From a doctrinal standpoint, women are highly valued and revered, but the culture oftentimes undervalues and dis-empowers women. For the most part, it is a very traditionally patriarchal culture, so we have to be very deliberate in not letting sacred gender roles become unrighteous dominion.  

How does feminism support or diminish the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

I believe that true feminism supports the teachings of the church because it encourages equality and empowers women. How better to create a strong generation of Latter Day Saints than to enrich the lives of the women who are raising, nurturing, and teaching that generation? Along the lines of equality, for those of you who are endowed, you’ll see that equality between man and woman, husband and wife, is perfectly in line with the sacred teachings of the temple.

In your opinion, what is the best way to implement your feminist ideas into the society?

     I may not be able to change the world, but I can change things in my own realm of influence. I have the ability to reach people as a therapist, as a teacher, a friend, a sister, a daughter, as a wife, a mother, and a church member. I know that if I can reach those people that they will be able to reach those that they come in contact with. It creates a ripple effect.   

As Latter-day Saints, we have some gender specific roles outlined in the “Family: A Proclamation to the World.” How do you think the Latter-day Saint culture shapes your beliefs on feminism?

      I think my beliefs afford me a more well-rounded view of gender. Because we believe that our gender is an inherent part of who we are, that it is an essential characteristic of our eternal identity, I’m able to rejoice in my roles as a woman while still allowing myself opportunities to expand and enrich those roles with the addition of other roles. It sometimes keeps me from spinning off into space when I get passionate certain feminist issues. In other words, it grounds my perspective as a feminist.

As social scientists, we are interested in the inner workings of families. How has your identity as a feminist influenced your family life?

     I've been a feminist my whole life, but it has definitely solidified during my graduate studies. I met my husband as a “full-blown” feminist, so it absolutely affected my choice in my spouse. I married a man who respects my opinion, seeks my advice, honors my womanhood, supports my educational goals, and believes in having an egalitarian marriage. We share roles in and out of the home and have found a way to have a true partnership without rigid gender expectations. I firmly, truly believe that my identity as a feminist makes me a better wife and a better mother. The confidence and strength that I get from feminism is absolutely beneficial to my husband and son.

     

With the major changes that have been made in our culture regarding the role of women, why do you think it is still important to advocate women’s rights when, in many ways, they have become equal to males?  Do you think that without feminists, women’s rights would go back to what they once were?

      I think every cause needs a champion, so I think feminism will always have a place in our culture. There have been some big shifts for women’s rights, but I heartily disagree that women have become equal to males in many ways. Women may be able to do the some of the same things that men are able to do, but our culture hasn't changed its attitude about women doing those things. For example, I have the opportunity to get an advanced degree, but I can’t count how many times people have disparaged me for “delaying marriage,” “delaying having children,” telling me that I’m wasting my time getting advanced degrees because I’ll just end up being a stay-at-home-mom anyway, or that I’m stealing a spot in my program from a man who will actually use the degree. Women still make less than men for the same jobs, are treated differently in the workplace, and are viewed as less than men in many ways. I think that is the role that feminism plays now, to help alter attitudes and the way our culture views women.

     

It seems to me that feminism is becoming more about equalizing the genders both in importance and characteristics instead of embracing the different traits that each gender has. How can I be a feminist without feeling like I have to abandon my feminine nature to adopt more masculine qualities, which feminists seem to regard as a necessity in order to succeed in life?

      I believe that feminism is about equalizing genders in importance and opportunity, but not necessarily in characteristics. A woman does not have to abandon her inherent femininity to be a feminist. But we have to keep in mind that femininity may feel different from one woman to the next. For example, I feel like my confidence and intelligence are a part of my feminine identity, but those two characteristics are usually classified as “masculine” characteristics. From another perspective, I believe that a man can be very tender-hearted and emotionally attuned without it taking away from his masculinity. Extremists tell women that they basically need to become men to be equal, but isn't that counter-intuitive to what feminism is truly trying to accomplish? Aren't we trying to say that women, including their inherent femininity, are just as important and equally valued as men and their inherent masculinity? Why do we devalue more inherently female characteristics in favor of more inherently masculine ones? Look at it this way, my left hand is different from my right hand, but it is equally important to me. Should I cut off my left hand and reattach a second right hand so they are both "equal?" Of course not, the inherent differences between my right and left hands allow them to complement one another and work together for the good of my whole self.   

How do your feminist views influence your home life? (Ex. Roles within the home)

     My husband probably wouldn't claim the title, but he’s a feminist in his own right. Essentially, we believe in equality and cooperation. We both do dishes, we both clean the bathroom, we both work, we both change diapers and feed the baby, we both play with our son, etc. There isn't one thing in our home that one person does that the other doesn't do as well.  I may cook more often than he does, but it’s not because I’m the woman, it’s because I love to cook. He may take out the garbage more often, but it’s not because he’s the man; it’s because he parks closer to the dumpster than I do. 

What is the ideal woman in terms of feminism?

     I think, from a true feminist perspective, there is no such thing as the ideal woman because each woman would have the ability to make whatever choices were right for her. So each “ideal” woman would look completely different from the next.

How does feminism affect your relationships with the males?

     I had to ask my husband this question because I wasn't sure if my feminism does affect the way I interact with the men in my life. He laughed, said that he can't really tell a difference, then said that I'm probably more confident and speak my mind more to men than another woman might. I would tend to agree. I think being a feminist makes me more aware of the power imbalances that exist in my relationships with men, so I am deliberate about speaking my mind, even if that little anti-feminist cultural voice in my head says it's not my place or my opinion isn't important. I certainly don't hate men or feel like they are out to get me. I think most men are simply unaware of the inherent power differential between men and women, so they exercise their power without thinking about it.

What about you, dear readers?  How would you answer these questions? You don't have to answer them all in our comments section, but feel free to pick a couple of your favorites and let us know what feminism means to you. 

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