I wrote a feminist speech titled "Our Differences Make Us Stronger, WE are Survivors"

So I took two summer classes in the second half of the semester at Carleton. One of my classes required me to write a feminist speech that addressed issues about intersectionality so here's my speech titled "Our Differences Make Us Stronger. WE are Survivors," enjoy! Let me know your feedback and if you think I missed important aspects of intersectionality!

"We all have similarities and differences. We NEED to understanding this. Our surface may be different, but we have the SAME blood and bones. These differences, visible or not, shape our identify. Whether it’s our skin colour, who we love, how we get around, or which bathroom we use, ALL of these DIFFERENCES AFFECT how we experience this world. They shape how our bodies are treated in society. I have a hard time finding clothes that fit me, let alone clothes I like, and they’re usually more expensive too. My body is regulated differently than yours might be, simply because I weigh more than you. On the other hand, I carry a certain privilege due to my skin tone that some people don’t have. Or if you’re a gay man but you’re able to pass as a straight man, then you have a certain privilege that women or trans-identities will never have either. We all NEED to acknowledge our privilege. We can then use it to our advantage. These differences are not separate, they work together, we know this. Whatever combination of identities we have, they make us our OWN person. These differences WE have, ARE a common ground that is BRINGING us together right now. These differences make US ALL stronger, together. That’s something POWERFUL that NO ONE can take away from us.

I have always, always, always been the loud and outspoken one in the group who’s not afraid to speak my mind. I’m happy this comes naturally to me. The CHOICE to be silent is a CHOICE to be complacent. We need to use our voice to continue this conversation, to educate ourselves and others. For we if we don’t, then nothing will change and it might get worse. We can make changes, individually and together. We can be game changers just like the Guerrilla Girls. I like them because I don’t know who they are individually, yet as a united group they are successful in questioning how women are portrayed in the art world.

We know the ruling class has power to shape our society with their ideas and standards. Intersectionality allows us to see the power structures like this in our society. WE have ideas too. We can take back the POWER by not listening to their ideas, by going against the status quo, by using our voices. We can do this every day by what we post and share on social media. The internet helps people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities to spread our ideas and experiences. Just because you don’t witness something the same way another person does, doesn’t mean how they feel isn’t important. It should actually be more important because you will never actually know and feel their experience. We need to listen to each other, the young and the old, for we ALL have something to learn from one another because we all have different experiences. The media specifically is a powerful place where ideas are shared, and RACE is one of them. These ideas can be worked on, transformed, articulated, and elaborated in the media. We need to be aware of this. We need to acknowledge where the power exists so we know where to confront it. We can challenge the stereotypes portrayed in the media. As someone who has been affected by the lack of diverse body types represented in the media, I can say that it is something that has negatively affected me and my mindset at times. We also need to say something about the racist ideologies that are used when casting parts in Hollywood. Although, most of us don’t identify with the standardized bodies of today, these unwritten ideals, do change over time.

As Canadians we need to admit that our country is not a saving grace in the world, we need to admit that we have problems just like the United States does, we need to acknowledge that we live on stolen land with broken treaties, and we live in a place where minority rights are under assault. What century are we in again? It’s 20-fucking-17, AND WE can do better than this. Canada can do better than this. Because we are not victims. We are survivors. Let’s be ACTIVE. Let’s educate ourselves. Let us admit our privileges and our wrong doings of the past. Let’s make a change for the better. TOGETHER."