The general definition of feminism is “the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes.” I do not completely agree with this definition. I do think there are radical feminists that are far beyond the point of equality and are more about female dominance. They no longer seek to coexist.

However, after reading Feminism is for Everybody by Bell Hooks, feminism is more than that. Feminism is also the push for equality or change through movements and ideologies that reflect change and equality for the sexes. It does even have to be through movements. But after reading Hooks, it can also be redefining terms that have been placed on “femininity” or on women. Being a woman and defying the double-standards and stereotypes placed against us, is also feminism. First, it should tackle the issue of a woman’s role in the household. Secondly, how students are seen and treated in the education system, then take it to the workplace. Some of our most important lessons and or sense of identity starts at home. Little girls see their mothers obey their fathers and place themselves on a lower scale, and this follows them to the outside world. Just like Paulo Freire mentioned, the education system or classrooms are institutions and places of oppression. There is a sense of hierarchy between students and teachers. Students being the oppressed, and educators being the oppressors. Once we tackle the root of the problem. Both household and classroom are the first places people are exposed to oppression (especially at an early age), so it leaves the workplace to be one of the last places that needs to be targeted. Hopefully by the time changes are made at home and at school, oppression in the workplace and other places would be less. The focal point of my feminist project would be the role of women in the household. Coming from a traditional Caribbean family, there is a lot of pressure to play the role of a “housewife.” While seemingly normal, it is also damaging and self-depreciating. Women are sometimes not taught their FULL worth and capabilities. So we subject and confine ourselves to these social roles, that are not doing us justice.

Feminism can be defined as a movement that intends to destroy the evils of patriarchy while empowering women to seek out equality and justice so that they have the same opportunities as men, which can mean equal pay or no workplace discrimination. I agree with this definition. From the texts, feminism should tackle the issues of workplace harassment, catcalling, and the ability for women to nurse their children without scrutiny from the public. There are things men can do but females can’t without criticism. Another priority should be teaching the public what is appropriate. A woman should freely wear a dress or skirt without having to worry about being sexually assaulted. Men should be involved because many of them are part of the problem. The focal point of my feminist project is to tackle catcalling and sexual assault. Women are often victims of rape and other sexual advances but I’d like to intervene in helping people understand that men can be victims as well. Equality for all should mean taking everyone’s problems into account and solving these issues at the root. Another thing I would like to mention is the disparity between how people view sex. Men are encouraged to be with many women, usually in a short period of time, but a woman who follows the same agenda is marked as a “slut” or “whore”.