Rhythms
for Womyn
Danielle
Sawyer
I
would like to introduce to you this new
column that will appear every Thursday.
The community at Cal State Long Beach will
not only get the chance to develop their
"feminine side," but the reader
will also be introduced to a different way
of thinking, if you so wish to participate.
I am, proudly, a women's studies major that
has been blessed with the opportunity to
write a column pertaining to women's issues
as well as introduce, if not advocate, a
feminist perspective on a variety of topics.
I will discuss a variety of issues women's
health issues, political issues, education
issues, personal issues and experiences,
environmental issues, and any issues you
may bring to my attention through email.
How
to begin this week's column was difficult
at first, but then I thought my title might
need a little explaining. I thought long
and hard about what name I wanted to see
in print and came across "Rhythms for
Womyn." It was an instant feeling I
had when I saw it in print and felt I could
connect with other women regardless of race,
creed, color or sexuality. "Womyn"
means "women." Instead of defining
ourselves in relation to a social standard
that, although historically rooted, is seriously
outdated. I decided to introduce you to
a new way of thinking through a simple grammatical
error that will, hopefully, inspire a trend
that supports individual freedom. "Rhythm"
is naturally imbedded within us all, but
womyn share a particular rhythm that no
other species can replicate. With this explanation
I shall begin... .
Well,
let me clarify my intentions. Do not get
me wrong, though my worries are not your
thoughts of me, but your thoughts of women
who advocate feminism. I am neither a "man-hater"
nor am I a woman who wants to dominate over
others for the sake of "power."
I advocate a freedom that allows me to decide
my own destiny; a freedom from sex-determined
roles; a freedom from society's oppressive
restrictions; and a freedom to express my
own thoughts fully and to convert them freely
into action. But, from my experiences, advocating
these ideas and producing feminist theory
that challenge these old social structures,
in other words what most people think is
"normal," is a struggle that is
rarely safe or pleasurable. Yet, I am here,
committed to the struggle, no matter what
its title may be from sexism to racism,
ageism to classism, to a new twist on the
word womyn. I urge you to make the same
commitment or at the least to start a new
adventure with me.
I
look forward to your ears this semester
as well as any questions, comments and,
or, suggestions you may have for me along
the way. Please refer any communication
regarding this column to: d49er@csulb.edu,
Attn. Rhythms for Womyn.
Danielle
Sawyer is a women's studies major at Cal
State Long Beach.
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