Somya Jain

When I tell people that I call myself a feminist, I am often stereotyped as a hypersensitive "Feminazi", someone who burns bras and devours men. Some tell me that we don't need feminism anymore, that there are other more important things to worry about. But, like the case of many other women, my femininity has constantly been scorned, eroticized, and ripped at the seams. Through the Odyssey, I plan to debunk society's common misconceptions around the feminist movement and educate others on why we really do need feminism.

Moreover, thanks to social media and our modern-day vernacular, rape culture has often been perpetuated by the books we read, the movies we watch, and the songs we listen to. It is a concept that is often overlooked and misunderstood by our society. As part of the speech and debate team in high school, I have delivered original oratories about rape culture and its societal implications, but while part of the Odyssey community, I plan to expand my audience beyond the high school speech and debate circle to help others understand sexual assault and rape culture even further.

I feel blessed to be attending a university with such a rich history and dynamic student body. I know that Cal will give me many opportunities to share my own perspectives, but through the Odyssey, I can spread ideas that can ultimately impact my university and the community as a whole.