Before this class, I was clueless on what a zine was. Over the weeks, I've realized that zines are an important part of feminism, especially in Third Wave Feminism. Zines allows one to be openly creative while critiquing or discussing topics that affect them personally and politically. After reading over the feminist topics assigned over this semester, I found two subjects that mean a lot to me. I was a little apprehensive about making my own zine, since I personally think I lack the creative gene and I was worried that I would not be able to accomplish what I wanted to say. I think that these two topics I picked relate not only to me personally, but to all women.

I've always been a feminist, always. My feminist consciousness began when I was in elementary school when I was told that I could do something (a list of things comes to mind) because I was a girl. It was at that point that I realized that there was something wrong with the world and it was my job to fix it. Ever since then, I've been a feminist. Just by glancing at the books I read, the stickers on my notebook, and my outspoken opinions on women's issues, anyone can see that I'm a full blown feminist. Although it is obvious to me, I always get the question, why? Why are you a feminist? Are you a lesbian? Do you hate men and not shave your legs? It's a shame that in the 21st century, there still are these stereotypes of feminists. I always counter these questions with no I am not a lesbian, no I do not hate men, and yes I do shave my legs. But, I'm still a feminist. Since I'm always bombarded with the question of “why” I decided to make my personal zine about why I am a feminist.

My personal zine embodies all that I hope to say about why I am a feminist. The reasons I give may surprise some and make them think if the things listed really are “feminist.” I want people to see that feminism is not just this mold that the mass media made about angry man hating women. Those who hope to be a career woman and a mother at the same time are feminist. Women who care about health care and reproductive rights are feminist. This zine portrays the goals and issues that affect my life. These issues affect me and other women and because we care about these issues, we are feminists. Nothing frustrates me more than someone asking me why I am a feminist. I hope that with these words and images, I can show people why I am proud to be a feminist and why they too should embrace their feminist side.

An important issue to me is reproductive health, which I wrote my political zine on. Reproductive health is an issue that does not discriminate based on gender and affects both men and women differently. Categories such as the right to sexual education, freedom to decide to reproduce, and access to birth control are just some of the issues that reproductive health embodies. Working with VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood, helped me understand what the public views as “rights” when it comes to reproductive health. I want my political zine to show people that there is more to reproductive health than the misconception that it only focuses on abortion services. The ability to have the right to choose is very important. Issues such as sterilization, access to comprehensive sex education, and access to family planning are important when discussing the rights of an individual. The right to choose when or when not to have a family despite your sexual orientation is a basic human right. I hope with the images I used in my political zine, that people will understand the magnitude of reproductive health and how important it is for every human being to have access to these rights without being discriminated against.

Both my personal and political zine relate to Third Wave Feminism. Throughout the texts this semester we have read that many young women are reluctant to call themselves the “F” word. Many young women see the feminist movement as no longer relevant and that women have made enough strides and there was nothing more that needed to be achieved. My personal zine shows that there still are young women who connect with issues that embody feminist ideas and values. It also shows how things that use to not be regarded as “feminist” now are. For example, people thought that feminist only wanted to focus on their career and not motherhood, but that's not true. Choosing to be a mother is a feminist action and so is choosing to have a career. My personal zine shows that contrary to popular media, feminism is not dead. New generations of women do exist, and they’re not afraid to call themselves the “F” word.
The political zine I created also relates to Third Wave feminism. The issues of reproductive health is something that any man or woman, regardless of the intersections they encompass can relate to. Many young people now have a plethora of health options and opportunities to protect themselves. I think especially now, since young adults are having sex at a younger age and with more sexual partners, it's important to understand the rights they have. Third Wave Feminism is different from the previous waves of feminism because it finally includes all individuals regardless of race, sex, economic status, sexuality, etc. I think that my political zine can be relatable to anyone who looks at it and sees that these intersections are nonexistent. The zine is not an egocentric outlook on how American society sees reproductive health, but focuses on a more global stance that these issues affect every man and woman.

The phrase personal is political and vice versa is an important tool in the feminist movement. Everything we do whether we are conscious of it or not is a politically action. The zine on why I am a feminist is not only personal, but political too. All the examples I list on why I am a feminist have political implications. The option of choosing to be a stay at home mom or going to work is political. Women at one point in time did not have a choice, choosing to be one or the other, or even both is a political action in itself. My actions are political; stating that I have the right to choose to be a mother or have a career not only affects me personally, but can show other people that they too can have a choice. The zine on reproductive health is political, but personal as well. Everyday men and women make decisions regarding their reproductive health. Whether it is to decide to have children, take birth control, or get educational information, these are all personal choices. Within feminism, the personal and political are so intertwined that every choice a person makes can be seen as a declaration of their personal and political beliefs.

by Megan Bowes