Feminism has been defined, redefined, and debated for centuries. While the topic is controversial, those of us who support the movement realize its positive impact on the individual and society as a whole. Some of the central issues that feminism addresses include, but are not limited to: equality of sex, issues on gender, body image, and stereotyping on appearance. Throughout the course of history, women have been marginalized, and even in today’s progressive society, women and men around the globe deal with a myriad of human rights violations. Feminism actively works to combat these injustices, while educating others on the value of an equal and tolerant society. For our newest zine, ‘Feminism Is Not The F-Word’ we asked the question, ‘what does feminism mean to you?’ In your hands is a collection of the answers we received from local artists in varying forms ranging from photography to poetry.
The Continuist is an online and print creative publication run through the Faculty of Arts at Ryerson University in Toronto. We strive to create a network of artists within the city by providing an outlet for artists to share their talents. We accept creative work on an on-going basis. Interested in submitting? We can’t wait to hear from you! Send your work to thecontinuist@gmail.com and check out our online submissions at thecontinuist.wordpress.com. Love always, The editors of
THE CONTINUIST
Rights Over Rescue Jamie Lupia
By day I am a church pew I am a kitchen table I am a woman but by night I am a bus stop I know the bus is the cheapest form of transportation the cities finest investment I know my body will make me twenty dollars a minute I know I will have chafed, five dollar bill thighs
white collar blue collar sparkly collar an inmate to sequins I know my body will be burnt by sour, yellow spot lights I know my body will make me my tuition in a weekend I know my body will want people to ‘rescue me’ because I look like a tabby in a tree rather than a human who needs rights I know why feminism still exists
Trisha Rolfe
photo of: Stephanie O’Brien
Breakfast in Bed, Forever Sanita Fejzic
She said she loved my face flushed, pinked by blood. Red roses bloomed between our bed sheets. Her breath on my face moist with secrets. Its riverbed flowed on fingertips and swollen lips. She made pancakes and dark coffee maple syrup smell of intimacy. Thus I succumbed to her sweetness. And when I laughed she laughed. We were happy.
Warm Bath Sanita Fejzic
Undress me slowly in the middle of our living room. Take off my underwear with lengthwise rainbow stripes. Legs with thick hair. Second toe painted pink with permanent marker. We dance naked all the way to the bathroom. My hands are cold. No one here but us. To just be, with our feet up in the tub. This warm bath is not unlike a holiday.
Salvation
Laura Pallen The institution cut off your second finger, Left hand. Even if I don't believe it, I hesitate. To ring you up, on a Friday. I'm still pregnant with the pause they gave, they gave me the promise of progress with the answer of faith. So: Hail Mary! For I am not you! Disregard each labourious push:
taxed breathing, taxed breath. Refuse to come second. Refuse to be borne and labeled as some great, green liberty beacon, waving baited goodbye to the Staten Island Ferry. Caste baked with the heat of our shared sun, Burned by the same torch welded into these limitless, delicate hands. Hail Mary! O, Virgin! Burn it all down! Build it back again!
Anisah Ali
cross/word puzzelle Cameron MacDonald
Hide protein powder in bushes liek snow. Its reigning cats! O, if only all the bro/hers could byte into this pinky balloon whirled. Peel off my skin . . . only to fined construction paper & a pear of glasses. Words keep twirling around the dumb/bells of my bones. Lady Lazurus lost all her pixels and couldnt put the lamp/ shade to/get/her again. Eye wood rather swim thru Galatea liek a fountain. All Costumes come in 1080i: the cornea and lens play back at 60 fps, but thats a bit deceptive, because its actually broad/cast at 30 fps. The retinas then display those frames 2x. And Christabel sleeping be hind the windoe / & Darwin slid his fingers across the frayme. Reason did knot fit so eye tried the next H&M. Sexy Operator & Sexy Siri, how did you no I wanna be a MACHO MAN! While were on the top/pick why did we let adam & isaac let the fruit ring in/to the seeshells of [y]our ears, en ee way? If [y]our sex is still frosted beneath my key/board eye will let the pay/pur get it/self wet—
Boys Don’t Cry Kyle Fisher
As a sensitive, gender non-conforming, openly gay male in today's society, I often fall victim to the systematic oppression that stems from the gender inequality that pervades our society. The same feminism that works to humanize women also gives a voice to guys like me who don't always fit into cookie-cutter stereotypes and ideals. The following poem is an introspective look into the very real and inevitable isolation that can result when emotionally attuned boys learn from a young age that feelings are only socially acceptable for girls to display. For a boy to cry and express his emotions, however, is a sign of inherent weakness that ultimately detracts from his masculinity.
Ashen pallor, Bloodshot eyes; Wears dark clothes And never goes outside. If only he could speak up, Call out for help, Get out of the house; Maybe he’d see, this isn’t always how it has to be.
If only he could find a reason to get out of bed And walk among others instead. But again, he folds like a broken old lawn chair No one wants to sit near. And so, he’s not going anywhere tonight. In his darkest hour, The boy cries alone. But boys don’t cry, So he just stays inside, Says he’s fine, And pretends that no one’s home.
Camille Borody
Just Sayin’
Geraldynn Lubrido We are watching. When the news comes on and the newest name to be shamed with the label ‘rapist’ Gets more attention and credibility than all of the victims combined. We are watching. When the news comes on and a war is declared between white police cops and unarmed black men As if women are not part of the picture. We are watching. When female celebrities are threatened with exposure of nude pictures And the media reports the scandals with glee.
We are watching Seething with rage Screaming silently At the blatant sexism Displayed every day Casually, as entertainment, as conventional, as normal. We are watching And we are Absolutely Disgusted.