Manifesta

1. Feminism's Soul: Consciousness and the Pursuit of Equality

Feminism means that women have the right to enough information to make informed choices about their lives.

Consciousness is foundational. Feminism begins with understanding that women can and should be whole human beings, not defined by male supremacy. This awareness, often described as a "click," reveals how personal experiences are rooted in systemic sexism and motivates a desire for change. It's about recognizing injustice and politicizing one's life.

Equality is the goal. At its core, feminism is the movement for social, political, and economic equality for all genders. This includes legal parity, equal pay, reproductive freedom, and safety from violence. Public opinion polls show widespread agreement with this definition, indicating a broad base of support for feminist values, even if the label itself is sometimes feared.

Inclusivity is inherent. True equality requires acknowledging and valuing the diverse experiences of all women, including those of different races, classes, sexualities, and abilities. An organic intertwining with movements for racial and economic justice, as well as LGBTQ+ rights, is essential to the feminist mandate, ensuring that the fight for women's rights benefits everyone.

2. The Personal Remains Political: Our Stories Drive the Movement

Historically, women’s personal stories have been the evidence of where the movement needs to go politically and, furthermore, that there is a need to move forward.

Personal experiences reveal systemic issues. The motto "the personal is political" highlights how seemingly individual struggles, like domestic abuse or unequal housework, are part of a larger pattern of male dominance. Sharing these stories, as in consciousness-raising groups, transforms private pain into a collective understanding of systemic problems requiring political action.

Testimony is the starting point. While personal stories alone may not constitute a complete political argument, they are the crucial first step. Memoirs, essays, and shared confidences provide the evidence base for identifying injustices and determining the direction of the movement. This is particularly vital for young women navigating modern challenges like body image issues, sexual health, and the work-family balance.

Everyday life is political. Feminism is manifested in daily acts of righteousness and self-respect, from talking back to street harassers to refusing to make coffee at work. Our politics emerge from our everyday lives, and gatherings of women, like dinner parties, serve as informal spaces for consciousness-raising, strategizing, and finding support to challenge the status quo.

3. Media Misrepresents Feminism, Often Declaring It Dead

The media is much better at transmitting failure than success.

Feminism is often ignored or attacked. Mainstream media outlets frequently overlook feminist issues or portray the movement negatively, often declaring it irrelevant or dead. This misrepresentation stems from a male-dominated media landscape and advertisers' reluctance to support content that challenges traditional gender roles, effectively masking the ongoing work of feminists.

Media sins abound. Common media biases include underrepresentation of women writers and editors ("Byline Boys' Club"), superficial focus on female appearance ("Cosmo-Girl Myopia"), using fear to discourage women from seeking rights ("Scare Strategy"), tokenizing a few famous feminists while ignoring grassroots activists ("Unequal Time"), and promoting hostility online ("Internet Incontinence"). These tactics distort the reality of the movement.

Feminists must engage with media. Despite its flaws, media is a powerful tool for reaching a broad audience. Feminists need to become media-literate, challenge biased reporting, and utilize both mainstream and alternative platforms to share accurate information and highlight ongoing activism. Reclaiming narratives and celebrating successes are crucial counter-strategies.

4. "Girlie" Culture: A New Generation's Feminist Expression

Girlie says we’re not broken, and our desires aren’t simply booby traps set by the patriarchy.

Reclaiming feminine symbols. "Girlie" culture, expressed through magazines like Bust and Jane, music, and online spaces, embraces traditionally feminine items like makeup, pink, and Barbie dolls. This is a reaction against perceived anti-feminine seriousness in earlier waves and asserts that engaging with these symbols can be a confident, even feminist, act, not just passive conformity.

Culture as a site of feminism. For the Third Wave, raised in a culture saturated with media and consumerism, popular culture is a primary arena for feminist expression and influence. Figures like Madonna and Riot Grrrl bands used music and style to challenge norms and inspire young women, demonstrating that feminism can be thrilling, sexy, and creative, not just serious and political.

A different approach, not a rejection. While "Girlie" may sometimes lack explicit political strategy or historical context, it reflects a generation finding its own voice and style. It challenges the idea that liberation requires rejecting femininity and instead seeks to infuse traditionally female spaces and interests with feminist consciousness, making feminism relatable to a broader audience.

5. The "Girls' Movement" Focuses on Self-Esteem but Can Overlook Young Women

When did you lose a part of yourself” is the wrong question for Take Our Daughters to Work Day, and perhaps in any conversation with girls today.

Focus on perceived loss. Inspired by research highlighting a drop in girls' self-esteem during adolescence, the "girls' movement" aims to empower young females. Initiatives like Take Our Daughters to Work Day and girl-focused media seek to build confidence and provide positive role models, often framed around preventing a "loss of voice" or self.

Adult-driven agenda. While well-intentioned, the movement is largely led by adults revisiting their own childhood struggles. This can result in an agenda based more on what adults wish they had experienced (e.g., celebrating menstruation) than on what girls actually want or need, sometimes overlooking girls' existing strengths and interests, like their engagement with mainstream culture or complex social dynamics.

Young women are distinct. The intense focus on adolescent girls can inadvertently render young women (ages 18-30s) invisible, despite their unique challenges and contributions to feminism. Issues faced by young women, such as navigating careers, relationships, and reproductive choices in a still-sexist world, differ significantly from those of younger girls and require distinct attention and support within the movement.

6. Intergenerational Conflict: Bridging the Divide is Crucial for Progress

The tension between the Second and Third Waves of feminism is similar to the squeamishness and stress between mothers and daughters.

Historical baggage and misunderstanding. Younger feminists often feel misunderstood or dismissed by older generations, who may perceive them as apathetic or ungrateful for past gains. Conversely, younger women may lack knowledge of feminist history or feel alienated by perceived rigidity or internal conflicts within the Second Wave, leading to mutual suspicion and missed opportunities for collaboration.

Mother-daughter dynamics mirrored. The relationship between feminist generations often mirrors the complex dynamics between mothers and daughters, involving rebellion, a desire for independence, and sometimes a fear of repeating perceived mistakes of the past. Daughters may reject their mothers' paths, while mothers may struggle to accept their daughters' different choices, even if rooted in feminist values.

Bridging the gap requires effort. Effective intergenerational collaboration requires mutual respect, open communication, and a willingness to learn from each other's experiences and perspectives. Older feminists can mentor and create space for younger leaders, while younger feminists can seek out and honor the history and contributions of their foremothers, recognizing that different tactics can serve shared goals.

7. The Right-Wing Poses a Significant, Often Underestimated, Threat

While we’re dissing the Do Mes’ critiques of feminism, right-wing women are dismantling feminism’s gains.

An active, funded opposition. Conservative women, often supported by well-funded right-wing organizations and media, actively work to dismantle feminist gains in areas like reproductive rights, welfare, and workplace equality. Unlike some younger feminist critics who may lack political engagement, these "Right Girls" are strategically organized and effective in influencing policy and public opinion.

Exploiting feminist language. Some conservative women even adopt the label "feminist" while promoting anti-woman agendas, a perverse sign of feminism's influence but also a tactic to gain credibility and confuse the public. Their success highlights the need for feminists to clearly define their goals and expose the hypocrisy of those who claim the label while working against women's interests.

Focusing on the real threat. Debates within feminism, while sometimes necessary for growth, can distract from the external forces actively working to roll back women's rights. Feminists should direct their critical energy towards the political opposition that seeks to limit women's freedoms, rather than getting bogged down in internal disputes or media-hyped "catfights."

8. Activism is Everyday Acts, Not Just Grand Gestures

Activism is everyday acts of defiance.

Beyond the picket sign. Activism isn't limited to large-scale protests or full-time organizing. It encompasses a wide range of actions, from challenging sexist jokes to calling elected officials, volunteering for progressive causes, or simply living one's life in alignment with feminist values. These daily acts, when taken collectively, form the foundation of a vital movement.

Utilizing diverse tools. Effective activism employs various strategies, including voting, lobbying, creating alternative media, organizing boycotts, and leveraging personal resources and networks. It's about accessing the power available to you, whether through your voice, money, creativity, or community connections, and applying it to challenge injustice and build a more equitable world.

Small acts accumulate. Just as small habits compound over time, everyday acts of defiance contribute to larger social change. Recognizing the political significance of seemingly minor actions empowers individuals to participate in the movement and demonstrates that everyone has a role to play in the pursuit of equality.

9. Overcoming Myths is Essential for Effective Activism

Change doesn’t occur overnight, and the expectation that it will is often what breaks the spirit and heart of many an impassioned idealist.

Dispelling false expectations. Common myths about activism include the belief that it guarantees immediate victory, must involve huge numbers of people, requires a single charismatic leader, or that young generations are inherently apathetic. These misconceptions can lead to burnout, discourage participation, and obscure the reality of how social change actually happens.

Change is slow and cumulative. Progress towards equality is a long and arduous journey, built on decades of persistent effort by countless individuals. Understanding this long-term perspective helps manage expectations and sustains motivation, recognizing that even small steps contribute to the overall momentum of the movement.

Collective action is key. While leaders inspire and large events draw attention, the true power of activism lies in the collective efforts of many individuals working together. Recognizing the value of diverse contributions, from grassroots organizing to policy advocacy, is crucial for building a robust and resilient movement capable of achieving lasting change.

10. A Third Wave Manifesta: Articulating Our Vision for the Future

In order to have a government that responds to the Third Wave, rather than a society by the few for the few, we need a similar declaration of our sentiments.

Defining the Third Wave agenda. Building on the foundations laid by previous generations, the Third Wave needs to articulate its own clear political goals and priorities. This includes safeguarding reproductive rights, promoting sexual health and male responsibility, achieving economic equality, challenging media misrepresentation, fostering intergenerational connection, and passing the Equal Rights Amendment.

A call to action. A manifesta serves as a guiding document, outlining the specific areas where change is needed and inspiring collective action. It connects individual experiences to a larger political vision, providing a framework for organizing and mobilizing a diverse generation of feminists to work towards a more just and equitable society.

Imagining a feminist future. The ultimate goal is a world where equality is not just a political aspiration but an everyday reality. This includes equal pay, shared parenting responsibilities, universal healthcare, freedom from violence and discrimination, and a culture that values all genders, races, and sexualities. Articulating this vision motivates the ongoing struggle and provides a benchmark for progress.

Last updated: May 19, 2025