Feminists in New York

Claudia Fareri
Women and Media
Doris Cacoilo
13 March 2017

Feminists in New York #FONY

My name is Claudia Fareri and for my final project, I created an instagram Feminists in New York as well as a PowerPoint for my women and media class. This instagram account captures feminists in New York and their experience with feminism. I based my instagram on Humans of New York, the project created by Brandon Stanton in 2010. Stanton photographs people and includes a quote from them alongside the photo. In the same fashion, I chose to create my own instagram for my project because personally, I enjoy learning the stories of others and and hearing what they want to share with the world.

Everyone has a voice and the right to share their story with the world. In a world dominated by patriarchy, it is especially necessary for women to have their voice be heard and show that they matter just as much as any other male. 

For the last three weeks, I took pictures of people from various backgrounds and ethnicities, and asked them three questions: 1) Why are you a feminist? 2) When was the first time you've recognized your resonance with feminist thinking? 3) When has there ever been a time where you have felt powerful by being a feminist? These three questions helped break the ice and ease into a conversation about their experience with feminism. 

While it was a bit awkward at first to get into someone's personal space and photograph them, the outcome was worth while. It was enlightening to hear how other people identify with feminism and where their support is rooted from. I felt proud for being the bridge between feminists and the rest of the world and being a platform for them. While everyone had their own individual story, they all stemmed from the single point that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. 

Initially, I only wanted to include females on my instagram but after a second thought, I realized that not only females are feminists. Feminism comes in many ways, shapes and forms which is why I included anyone and everyone who believed in it.