A Feminist New Years Reflection

I started writing for Feministing when I was 22. This week, I turned 25.

There are few things I’m proud of in my life as much as my writing at this site — and the ways in which I have grown personally — these past three years. I’ll never forget my first piece, due just days after Deah, Yusor, and Razan were murdered in Chapel Hill and filled with both tears and rage at the white feminist establishment again ignoring violence against Muslim women.

It was the first time I felt I could speak directly to those failing me in hopes of pushing them to do better. And it wouldn’t have happened without the kind edits of my editor and the Feministing community at large.

My fellow writers, friends of the site, and yes, even readers continue to give me clearer lenses with which to see this beautiful and very ugly world around us. Just this year: there was Reina’s piece after the Women’s March on fucking up and doing better that still moves me to tears — as do Barbara’s pieces on immigrant parents, especially her letter to immigrant and Muslim mamas. Meghna makes me laugh/cry every time she reminds us that we can ask more from spineless liberals. And Jess’ piece on Jane Doe, reproductive freedom, and U.S. wars is one of the most remarkable analyses of white womanhood in relation to American empire on the internet this year. And there are the countless less visible conversations with the rest of the team that have given me knowledge about the injustices around us, but also so much joy and tools on how to fight back.

Feministing also gifted this very young writer an incredible platform with full reign. This is unusual.

Because we are not beholden to donors (and also because our editorial team is made of women willing to challenge each other in order to grow!), our site is filled with the nuanced, messy, sometimes painful, but needed writing that challenges power structures around us — including liberal and so called-feminist ones. We’re one of the very few media publications left that is not bought by corporate interests and which is accessible to young women and queer people of color.

Again, this is unusual, especially during this rise of fascism. It also means support from readers like you is what makes this effort sustainable.

So if you’re thinking of your commitments in the New Year, consider one of two things:

ONE: Become part of this smart, messy, and liberatory collective — and signing up to be a Feministing.com member for as little as $5 a month.

TWO: Tell us why the site matters to you! Has a piece really resonated with you? Challenged you over the years? Tweet @Feministing with a piece of writing that you vibed with. We really want to know how you’re engaging with us.

God knows we have many fights to fight. And support can look like a number of things. But we have to show up for each other in 2018. And what better way to show up than to keep this space for young feminist writing alive. Become a member today.

Graphic by Martine Ehrhart via