Skip to content

feminism

TRIGGERWARNING: nudity

Lena und Marie
Lena und Marie

“Most social expectations are shaped by patriarchy and capitalism, so the answer is obvious: big bullshit.”
Lena, 24

“They [people] say freedom is our greatest good, but build wall after wall. All the walls have to come down. That’s what I wish for.”
Marie, 24

This interview is about Marie and Lena and about the topic of feminism.

In this interview Marie and Lena enlighten about the topic of feminism, especially about what feminism means to them and what body hair has to do with feminism. Feminism advocates equality and freedom for all people, against sexism and discrimination against women. It criticizes the fact that even today most power is in the hands of men. Feminism fights for equal rights for people in education, work and relationships as well as for individual self-determination over one’s body and sexuality. Self-determination over one’s own body is often about body hair for women. Women and others read as female are expected to depilate their bodies in certain places, while men and others read as male are not expected to do the same. Marie and Lena believe that these expectations are shaped by capitalism and patriarchy. Advertisements for products such as razors or depilatory wax show images of smooth, flawless, hairless women who are portrayed as the ideal of beauty. Since these standards are often unrealistic, unattainable, they are and for many women are harmful, as they can lead to a lack of self-confidence, feelings of shame and body insecurity. For this reason, feminists criticize this type of marketing as part of a larger culture of body and beauty norms that push women to conform to certain aesthetic standards, and therefore call for a shift away from these beauty ideals and an acceptance of different body shapes and sizes. You can see their other thoughts on the feminism issue in the interview.

Feel free to tell something about yourself.

M:  My name is Marie (she/her), I’m 24 years old and I’m studying Sociology and German Language/Literature since 2017. I like FLINTA* fronted punk, camping, queer gossip, and my family of choice.  I get angry at terfs, swerfs, hierarchical wage labor, ignorance, and Western arrogance.

 L:  I’m Lena, I’m 24 years old and that’s exactly how long I’ve been living in Halle (Saale). I study geography and am about to graduate. However, I invest most of my time in my free time. I like to hang out with my friends, play bass/sing in a punk band and go bouldering. Every now and then I pick up a book and try to educate myself in political and feminist theory or whatever else I like. Oh, I also have an affinity for trash TV.

How do you define feminism for yourself and how did you come to be a feminist?

M:  For me, feminism is first and foremost solidarity. Feminism means a common struggle until every human being is completely free. I believe that my coming out to myself contributed a lot to my politicization. After that, I didn’t want to fit in anymore, because queer people are often made to feel like they don’t really fit in anyway. And I realized that it’s okay to be an angry woman because there are many of us and anger is much more productive than silent acceptance.

Marie
What feminist ideas are you following?

M:  Feminism starts in private and must be embraced by all of us. Tell your boyfriend when he’s acting like a sexist asshole. Tell your friend that she doesn’t have to take the pill if it doesn’t feel good. Tell your friend that it’s okay to cry and seek help. Tell your girlfriend it’s okay to be angry and loud, and interrupt men who want to explain the world to you more often. If we all looked out for each other more, a lot would be accomplished.

What does body hair have to do with feminism for you?

M: Deciding for ourselves what we want for our bodies and on our bodies, what feels good and what doesn’t, has a lot to do with feminism.

L: The point of intersection is probably the rebellion against patriarchally shaped social constraints or mediated images. At least it is for me for some years my rebellion in small and was in the beginning a political act. After a short time I have grown fond of my hair and now find it simply beautiful on myself and others. With my hair I feel self-determined!

Lena
What do you think about female-read people being told to shave because of societal expectations or safety standards?

M: This is garbage that was put into the world so that old white men can earn money not only with beard wearing. Society does not meet my expectations either, so what!?

L: Most social expectations are shaped by patriarchy and capitalism, so the answer is obvious: big bullshit.

What do you think about female-read people being told to shave because of societal expectations or safety standards?

M: YES!!! 


L: Ouh hell yes!

Is feminism hostile to men in your opinion/do you know any male read feminists

M: Feminism is not anti-male because it is about the freedom of ALL people. Patriarchy also locks men behind certain bars. They are different than our prisons, but they are still prisons. I know feminist cis-men (red.: men who were born with the male gender and identify with it) but who don’t call themselves feminists, and cis-men who call themselves feminists but are not.

L: First, the question that comes up for me is whether men can be feminists. I haven’t conclusively settled that question for myself. But they can be supporters! I know supporters! Unfortunately, there are also enough guys who write feminism big on the flag, but in the end there is nothing behind it. Feminism is in no way hostile to men. When I try to think my feminist utopia to the end, it is simply about the liberation of all.

Have you had or experienced any negative experiences as a feminist?

M: I think it’s bad when people think that feminism is no longer needed. But the worst thing was to learn that there is such a thing as radical feminism, because I can’t understand why we have to fight among ourselves and why there are “feminists” who don’t recognize how much BiPoCs, sex workers and transgender people have done for the rights of FLINTA*s (red. FLINTA* stands for women, lesbians, intersexual, non-binary, trans and agender people).

Marie liegt Nackt auf dem Boden

What policy changes would you like to see in terms of equality and self-determination? ​

M: I wish that all people who want and need it; without government interference, great financial or time effort; can influence their personal affairs. Change of appearance, name, sex, place of residence (because individual education would be worth the same everywhere), etc. They say freedom is our greatest good, but build one wall after another. All walls must come down. That is what I wish for.

If you can think of any other things you would like to say, please feel free to share them.

M: Oppressed people of all countries, unite! Only together can we save the world. Self Care is as productive as other care work and wage labor. Unconditional basic income for all! And last: It cost me a lot of time and nerves to worry about any stubble and hair and I myself was never the reason for it. But in the end nobody who wants to be close to you will be bothered by some hair AND hair is soft and beautiful and good!

L: No God, no state, no patriarchy and best of all no lease.

Lena und Marie nackt auf dem Boden
Lena und Marie nackt auf dem Sofa am Rauchen
Lena und Marie liegen Nackt auf dem Boden
Lena liegt nackt auf einer Couch