I don’t identify as a feminist.
I sometimes wish I did. It would make things rather easier to define, but perhaps it’s not that simple as just identifying as one.
I have first-hand experience of being disregarded because of my gender and skin colour. So, it made sense to support a movement that advocated for those who have felt marginalized in this sense. As a black person, I totally get feminism and so automatically as a supporter of feminism I get anti-racism and I choose to raise their agenda’s in my art, but I also understand that feminism, like any “movement for the people” could have radical followers who can disrupt the true vision of that movement.
For a long time I was more worried about being called a feminist than actually practicing and really understanding why I agree with certain feminist ideals.
I am black and I am also a woman. I am also a vocal and straightforward liberal. I know racism like I know sexism or misogyny. It’s all equally sickening to me. The same oppression wrapped in different drapes.
Once, I was fired from this job, after I kind of quit, but I didn’t want to work there in any case. Any way :D, recently they did something that reminded me why, I question the seemingly highly prioritized empowerment, inclusivity and blah blah values they have, but more importantly, I’d been in that space and many others like it for years.
Before and after my wokeness struck and yet, I was so busy making excuses for why I don’t really want to be called a feminist instead of why it’s so important for us to be (in 2018 still). For the misunderstood men and for the patriarchal systems and mentalities that will continue to deliberately abuse the power we own. For the boys who need to be left to all kinds of emotional stimulation to the girls who really don’t need anyone body shaming them. For the advertisers who do not understand the deeper impacts of their ignorance. For the children who shouldn’t have to deal with this backwardness in future.
So we just need to be it, live it, practice it.
Never mind if you don’t identify as one. I don’t, but if you can understand what it fundamentally stands for, like human rights, health rights, anti-racism, then support the movement.
Feminism is an ally of progress, a sister, if you may, because it is dedicated to, specifically, advocating for the equal treatment, empowerment, (financial) emancipation etc. of a marginalized people (women), while not disregarding the equality of others.
I believe that’s a good enough reason to be one.
Nesindano Namises (aka Khoes – only relevant in context of my performing)
A creative writer and storyteller. She started writing poetry as a secondary school student, but has had a knack for story telling since a very young age. She, however, introduced herself to the public on radio as a news and lifestyle show presenter and, later, content editor for stations such as Fresh fmand 99fm. Her skills expanded with radio experience, writing radio scripts, ad copy and voicing radio ad’s while also narrating stories for several Namibian and German projects.
As the lead vocalist for the afro-soul duo, 2Blend, she also organises the bi-monthly Spoken Word Namibia poetry movement based in Windhoek. Her works include opening for the rural woman’s parliament, performing for first lady Monica Geingos, facilitating youth poetry workshops and featuring in small theatre productions in Windhoek. Although her current projects are not all performance related, they span across the visual ‘artsphere’ and thus proving her versatility in an ever expanding industry.
Follow her on Twitter: @NunuTruth
