Activism:
This week, we met with Nina in order to discuss our presentation and other things that need to be done before we wrap up the semester. We're compiling a list of the places that we emailed to hang over the Nina so she can continue with the project at large after our semester project is over. I'm input the signatures into the online petition, and it was satisfying to see the number climb. We're also beginning to plan and work on out reflection papers and final exams, while keeping in mind the things we need to include in our presentation.
Reflection:
This week we watched some other service learning groups present their projects, and were reminded of the difference in scope between our project and many of the others. As much as we may have hoped for this to happen, we did not begin our project expecting to accomplish our goal in the span of one semester. I think that we have also succeeded in bridging the divide between theorizing and enacting change, since through this whole project, we have been relating the things we're doing to the things that we're reading. WLMP talks about the interactions between "theory," "vision," and "action," and I think that our project incorporated all of these aspects of real activism (584).
Reciprocity:
I think this project thoroughly dismantles any idea of activism as only marching, chanting, and picketing - in other words, it is more than direct and overt action. Activism also involves a lot of behind the scenes work that can be rewarding, but can also be tedious, time consuming, and frustrating. Both sides of the activism coin are essential to a feminist understanding of social change, and both are crucial in regard to accomplishing the goals of any project.
Works Cited
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2010. Print.
