1

Najem
Journal Entry

October 12th, 2023

Sara Najem

Dear Women,

Pop culture played a huge part in the rise of the Third Wave of feminism. The Third Wave

encourages equality through a more intersectional lens by giving a voice to those who are

affected by marginalization. Intersectionality is the idea that all women and transgender women

experience discrimination in their own unique way. “The third wave of feminism takes

intersectionality as its guiding principle. Unlike earlier waves, it acknowledges that a one-size-

fits-all approach to feminism is insufficient, as it neglects the diverse experiences of women from

different backgrounds. This wave urges us to understand that gender equality cannot be achieved

without addressing issues such as racial inequality and LGBTQ+ rights” (Zeisler, 2016).

Nowadays, when I think about feminism, I think about the inclusion of women of colour,

disabled women, Muslim women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and trans women. I

often ponder about how, if pop culture had not existed during the time of the Third Wave, and

how perhaps my personal views about feminism could have been all backward and hypocritical.

Thankfully, pop culture, including music, fashion, and entertainment, helped shape the Third

wave of feminism we know today- a feminism that recognizes that all women are unique and do

not all fit into the same stereotypical standards. As well as the inclusivity and intersectionality

that falls within these lines. It is not a secret that the media is a significant component in shaping

societal perceptions of feminism. Unfortunately, it often portrays feminism as a monolithic

concept, thereby reinforcing unattainable norms for women. Sara Ahmed argued that “Norms can

be exercised as a way of seeing things: the quickness of how we register somebody as being
2
Najem
somebody.” (Ahmed, 2014) This distortion of feminist ideals hinders progress and perpetuates

the notion that women must conform to unrealistic standards, a belief that the Third Wave of

feminism challenges.

Intersectionality, a term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, highlights the interconnectedness

of many social ‘categories,’ such as race, gender, sexuality, and class, and how they jointly

contribute to an individual's experiences of discrimination and oppression (Crenshaw, 1989). In

essence, it acknowledges that people can simultaneously belong to multiple marginalized groups,

making their experiences in life more complex. The third wave of feminism places

intersectionality at its core, advocating for recognizing the multifaceted nature of discrimination

and oppression. In conclusion, we must embrace and celebrate intersectionality, as it can be used

as a compass guiding us toward a more inclusive future for all.

Acknowledging this intersectionality helps to eliminate the black-and-white mentality

that feminists today are trying to avoid. When we include race, gender, LGBTQ+ people, and

class in our views, we affirm the value of uniqueness in feminism.

3
Najem
References

Ahmed, S. (2014, November 7). White men. feministkilljoys.

https://feministkilljoys.com/2014/11/04/white-men/

Andi Zeisler feminism and Pop Culture Seal Studies Seal Press ( 2008) : Free Download,
borrow, and streaming. Internet Archive. (n.d.). https://archive.org/details/andi-zeisler-
feminism-and-pop-culture-seal-studies-seal-press-2008

Crenshaw, K. (2021, October 28). Opinion | why intersectionality can’t wait. The Washington
Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/in-theory/wp/2015/09/24/why-
intersectionality-cant-wait/