"Why is she talking instead of doing my dinner?", "Intersectionality is a cancer", "We "need" feminism like a fish "needs" a bicycle" - these are just some of the comments written under Jessica Dunne's TEDx Talk on YouTube.
The subject of her video? "Why we still need feminism".
The irony certainly isn't lost on Jessica, but the 16-year-old student from Dublin says they only serve to prove her point further.
"I've gotten a lot of positive feedback from people but I was really shocked by some of the comments," she tells me over the phone. "I thought there might be a few bigoted people but I was shocked by the amount of men saying that we don't need to feminism and that I should get back in the kitchen."
"I think it was more upsetting when it started," she continued. "It was hard at first but eventually I had to realise that these weren't the type of people I was trying to reach with my talk. These are the people who are ignorant of this type of thing and it's not a reflection on me."
Check out my TED talk on intersectional feminism :)) #TEDx2020 @TEDxDunLaoghair https://t.co/YR5stRAuQa
— Jessica Dunne (she/her) (@upnorthscold) November 19, 2020
Since 1984, TED have provided a platform devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, uplifting and powerful talks. In that same spirit, they later developed the TEDx program which helps communities and individuals produce similar events at a local level.
On October 23rd, a TEDx Youth event was organised in Dún Laoghaire to encourage students to take to the stage and have their say on the subject of their choice. From media consumption and music to gender bias and the power of positivity, nine teenagers were afforded the opportunity to take the spotlight.
For some, this may seem like a nerve wracking ordeal but for Jessica, it's was simply about adding another string to her bow.
"I've been involved in broad activism for two years now so it was just such a cool opportunity. I was more excited than anything," she says.
We're committed to shining a light on ideas worth spreading — and in 2020, these ideas spread far and wide.
— TED Talks (@TEDTalks) December 17, 2020
Watch all 10 talks (plus, 10 more!) here: https://t.co/YLeDwbXZjl pic.twitter.com/RnsFSLdCn2
As well as being a singer-songwriter and climate activist, the 16-year-old is a part of 'Fridays for Future', Dublin City 'Comhairle na nÓg’, ‘Polluters Out’ and ‘Extinction Rebellion Youth’. She has a strong belief in the value of the youth voice and actively advocates for it where possible.
"I come from a very opinionated family," she laughs. "I think a lot of Irish families are like that. It was a natural progression for me to go from talking about that stuff with my family to thinking about how to get involved more broadly. Through Instagram and stuff like that I was able to talk to all of these incredible activists and get involved with movements."
So ridiculous. Donald must work on his Anger Management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend! Chill Donald, Chill! https://t.co/4RNVBqRYBA
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) November 5, 2020
As a member of Gen Z, it comes to no surprise that the young climate activist has found inspiration through social media. In recent years, movements such as Black Lives Matter and #MeToo come to prominence though TikTok, Twitter and Instagram. We have even seen 17-year-old Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg go head to head with US President Donald Trump through various Tweets.
Is social media leading Gen Z to activism?
"I think that the internet has made it a lot more accessible, to become an activist and get involved with political issues. Nowadays, we find it a lot easier to get involved and I think that's amazing. With every generation, there's always been an interest in political things when we've had the opportunity to get involved. It's just so much more accessible now."
You cannot pick and choose what parts of the LGBTQ+ community you support. #PrideMonth2020 #stonewall https://t.co/dieGDOFJ49
— Jessica Dunne (she/her) (@upnorthscold) June 7, 2020
In her TEDx Talk, Jessica speaks about her frustration at the 'cookie cutter' version of feminism that the media often presents. On her journey from egalitarian to intersectional feminist, the activist says she found Instagram and YouTube more helpful than mainstream media.
She believes that by learning more about people on a base level and discovering their world views is one of the best ways to open your mind to new avenues.
"I follow a lot of activists on Twitter and Instagram, they educate me. YouTube videos are brilliant for that too, as you get into it, you're able to talk to more people and learn more about them."
"As I became more involved with more politics, I realised how much really needs to be done. Not just in Ireland but around the world for women and for different types of women."
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. You can follow Jessica on Twitter here and on Instagram here.
