Quantcast IMOW - Diverse perspectives
Stories
Themes
Love
Relationships in changing times. See the Stories>>

Money
Working women talk finances. See the Stories>>

Culture and Conflict
Are we destined to disagree? See the Stories>>

The Future
Envisioning the next 30 years. See the Stories>>

Highlights
Highlighted stories in film, art, music and more. See the Stories>>

War & Dialogue
Speaking from war. Advocating peace. See the Stories>>

Young Men
Our generation: young men speak out. See the Stories>>

Motherhood
Women get candid about pregnancy, parenting and choice. See the Stories>>

Image and Identity
Appearances aren't everything, or are they? See the Stories>>

Online Film Festival
31 films from women directors around the world. See the Stories>>

A Generation Defined
Who are young women today? See the Stories>>

Best of Contest
You came, you saw, you voted. Here are the winners. See the Stories>>
Conversations
What Defines Your Generation of Women?
selected theme



HOME  |   EXPLORE OTHER THEMES     |   STORIES     |  CONVERSATION    |  EVENTS  |  TAKE ACTION  |  ABOUT
Search:  
  GO  
REGISTER  |  LOGIN Change Language»    Invite a friend »
STORY OPTIONS
READ STORY IN
PRINT
SAVE TO YOUR SAVED STORIES
SEND THIS STORY TO A FRIEND
ADD YOUR STORY
Diverse perspectives
Christine Anne Tamiko Beyer
United StatesGALLERYCONVERSATION
Perhaps this is one of the things that defines my generation as I know it—an acute awareness of the diverse perspectives and experiences that we all have.

As the world becomes more and more connected, we have a unique understanding of the links between people all over the world, as well as an understanding of the history of oppression and colonization that has allowed a few privileged people to speak for us all. For many of us, being a woman in this generation means starting to unpack not only the sexism and racism that many of us faced growing up, but also the privileges that we hold because of class, nationality, or sexual orientation.

Related, but also distinct, is the protest movement that has been steadily growing, led and nourished by young (often white and middle class, but not always) women. A personal turning point for me was the WTO protests in Seattle in November, 1999. While my politics had always been progressive, I had never taken to the streets until that day when I called in sick from work and jointed the hundreds of thousands who shut down the city—despite the police, the tear gas, the rubber bullets. It was the first time I truly understood the power people hold when they rise up. It was a day of inspiration for me, and I believe it galvanized and inspired many others of my generation who went on to protest in Geneva, LA, D.C., and other cities around the world where big business and government gathered to make decisions to take away people’s right to self-determination.

This anti-corporate global movement (which has merged now, in many ways, with the anti-war movement) has been led in many places by young women working side by side with the young men of our generation. I have been awed by the vision, the brilliance, and commitment that I’ve witnessed in the women that I’ve worked with.
FLAG THIS STORY FOR REVIEW
A Global Generation
Conversations
(0 comments)
JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Latest Comment
ADDED STORIES (0)
Add
RELATED ITEMS (8)

 
Manal Al-Dowayan
Saudi Arabia
I live in two different worlds: the Arab world and the...
GO TO STORY »
Jaime Koebel
Canada
What defines my generation of women? We are living...
GO TO STORY »
Heba Farid
Egypt
For me the question is a personal account of my experiences....
GO TO STORY »
Ranya Farouk Shalaby
Egypt
A defining element of my generation is the melding of...
GO TO STORY »

©2008 International Museum of Women / Privacy Policy and Disclaimer / Translated by 101translations / Change Language
The content in this exhibit does not necessarily represent the opinions of the International Museum of Women, or its partners or sponsors.