feminist of the week: yalei wang

Name: Yalei Wang
Age: 23
Occupation: Writer
Location/Hometown: Melbourne

Describe yourself in one word: Ambitious

What is your feminist philosophy?
You have to think of yourself as a person first devoid of gender. What does your ‘ personality ‘ want to do as opposed to what your gender tells you that you can or can’t?

What inspires you?
Energy

Are Australian feminists doing enough to make a difference? What more can we do?
For me, I don’t see any difference between Australian feminists and feminists from other countries. There’s no limit to where one can take their philosophies but at the end of the day, if we want to change the attitudes of more people, we need to be more creative, memorable and convincing.

What is the most important feminist cause in your life?
Literally the core cause: Making sure that everyone sees men and women as equals and that women can do and should be able to do anything a man can do without this impairing on her “femininity”.

Is there room for men in feminism? Why/Why not?
Always because feminism is about equality and there’s no equality without two components seeing eye to eye as equals.

What is the most annoying feminist stereotype in your opinion? Why?
That feminists are ugly, dowdy and angry women that no men will ever want. A strong woman who has the motivation and energy to get up and get things done for her life is an innate feminist for me and that can be anyone from a housewife to a supermodel!

What would have to change before men and women achieved true equality?
Basically everything, although I have to say it’s more about targeting inequality that’s closest to you rather than aiming to change the world first. Start in your neighbourhood or office and things can always potentially progress further.

What’s your advice to other feminists?
Don’t assume that all women want the same thing.

I need feminism because… I am a woman

Yalei blogs here. Check it out!