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Carolyn Priebe

Dr. Parker

ENGL 113

9 December 2017

Priebes Feminist Manifesto

After studying various feminist perspectives for a semester, I have begun to see my own

feminist identity peek through. I see views that align with the morals that my parents instilled in

me throughout my childhood. I am a feminist that believes in equal treatment for both sexes and

showing that equal treatment through the love that Christ has shown me. This doesnt mean that I

disrespect men, just that I recognize that men are often respected more. I realize that because of

my race, people may listen to my opinion more than marginalized people. As a feminist, I will

use my privilege to fight for those minorities. I will fight for what is right according to the Bible

and what Jesus taught, which is to love.

When I got to college, I was immersed in the culture here at Hope as well as a feminism

class. These two things really meshed together to form my feminist identity. These two

experiences have really grown my interest in how Christianity can fit with feminism. I learn a lot

from seeing how the ministry here at Hope connects these two things and sometimes fails. There

was one particular message at Chapel on October 30th that didnt sit right with some people,

especially some feminists. The message was on Proverbs 31:30 which reads, Charm is

deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised (New

International Version, Prov. 31.30). The whole of Proverbs 31 details the attributes of the ideal

Godly woman. The Womens Empowerment Organization (WEO) here on campus described the

message as slut-shaming, victim-blaming, and filled with the lies we fight every day.
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Specifically, it could be perceived as degrading to women who dressed a particular way. In his

11 Reasons Christianity needs Feminism article, Ellel Cruz states that instead of it being a

mans job to see women as people deserving of respect, we place the responsibility of a mans

lustful thoughts on women (Cruz). This ideation was the theme in the message given. Because

my goal as a feminist is to search for equality, I must be on the constant lookout for inequality.

Although I didnt recognize all the nuances the WEO did, I still recognized that the message was

offensive, which is a start. Without my newfound feminism, I dont think I would have seen any

problem at all with the message. I initiated a conversation with my friends who have differing

opinions to discuss it and pick it apart. Thus, expanding my feminist perspective has broadened

my view of right and wrong and allowed me to spot it more clearly.

One of my future goals is to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree. My feminist

identity will play a role in this because the science field has been dominated by men for a long

time. I will use my feminist identity to be strong and brave in what I believe is right. I will use it

to motivate me to do the best work I can, even when the odds are against me. There will be many

trials along the track to my goals, but I know that God has a plan for me. I will not settle; rather I

will trust Gods plan. I can trust Him to guide me to my goal, while loving others equally along

the way.

When reading the class descriptions for the English courses here at Hope, I was

incredibly excited that there was one on feminism. Although I didnt know much about

feminism, I was excited to learn. At the time, I was honestly probably your stereotypical white

feminist. Since then, I have figured out my definition of feminism. I have learned that not

everyone has the same feminism, and thats okay. I have learned that you can be a Christian and

a feminist. I have learned that Jesus was probably a feminist too! I have really broadened my
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perspective and realized that all women need feminism, not just me. My feminist identity is

important to me because it helps guide my sense of right and wrong in a messed-up world. It is

important for my faith because it connects to my main goal, which is to love as God does.
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Works Cited

Cruz, Ellel. 11 Reasons Christianity Needs Feminism. Huffpost: Oath, 14 May 2017,

www.huffingtonpost.com/eliel-cruz/11-reasons-christianity-n_b_5365210.html. Accessed

1 Dec. 2017.

The Bible. New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan House, 1984. Print.

Womens Empowerment Organization. Call to Action. Message to Carolyn Priebe. 14

November 2017. E-mail.