My Feminist Manifesto

Feminism can mean many different things to many different people, especially to me. My feminism revolves around giving a voice to those who need it most, and for me there are only two groups which I feel are truly deserving of my attention simply because of my personal connection to each. This is not to say that I do not care about other relevant issues, I simply mean that I cannot devote myself to a cause I do not feel a connection to otherwise I would feel like an imposter. The first issue I believe in is standing up for, and listening to battered women and their children; the second is giving a voice to those women, men and children who are faced with both physical and mental disabilities.

People can be so cruel when they see someone who is not the “norm” according to societal standards. This manifesto calls for a strong voice for those who need it and it draws upon a more liberal feminist approach in that you must work with a system, not against it. My personal feminism comes from the understanding that you should fight for what you believe in, and this is what I will continue to do. 

Manifesto

• Giving others the respect and dignity they deserve, just as I would ask for myself to be treated in that manner. Understanding that we all have different viewpoints in life and that those views shape us, they don't break us.
•  I will avoid judgement – it is often easier to judge than it is to listen and learn.
• I will never assume that I know everything, no matter how rooted, involved in and committed to a movement I am. I will always listen to those voices around me, and let them be my guiding light.
• I will always stand up for what I believe in, working towards my goals and not being afraid to ask for help along the way.
• Getting involved in fighting the dirty politics that diminish a person’s worth; finding the space to fight against those which governing rules which do not work.
• Ensuring that my human needs, rights, and wants do not infringe upon another human beings rights, needs, and wants.
• Living, fighting, and believing in what I hold close to my heart, whatever it may be.
• Most importantly: I will become someone’s ally— I will go by the mantra of don’t be the voice of the people – let the people guide your voice.
  
  
  What this manifesto is meant to be is a guide for my life, a guide for my feminism. I believe that this manifesto is an opening statement for why I believe feminism is a part of my life. As this blog continues, I will be analyzing my feminism figuring out whether it truly exists or not in my life and I look forward to sharing this with my readers.

©2011, Zain Alglaieny