Throughout the month of March, NBCBLK, NBCLatino, and NBC Asian America have partnered with the Ms. Foundation for Women for #31Days of Feminism to spotlight women of color who, through their actions and words, lead the way toward a more equal world.
Jenny Yang (Los Angeles, CA) — Comedian, Writer, Actor, Producer of Disoriented Comedy and The Comedy Comedy Festival: A Comedy Festival
What do you love the most about the work you do?
I get to say the stuff my little immigrant inner child never had the courage to say and connect with incredible people.
What is feminism to you?
Feminism is a way for all of us to be more whole human beings, regardless of your body or identified gender.
Feminism is liberation and healing.
Can you pinpoint the moment when you decided to become a feminist? If you don’t consider yourself a feminist, why not?
It was 8th grade graduation time and all of my girlfriends were going on for weeks about the frilly dresses and shoes they were getting for the semi-formal dance after the ceremony. I was nauseated by the useless chatter. So just for fun, I told them I was thinking of wearing a tuxedo. To my conservative friends, this was the weirdest thing I could've said to them. They made fun of me to my face and behind my back. I ended up wearing an off-the-shoulder fuschia number with kitten heels and succumbed to the patriarchy because, well, I was just a teenager who cared about what others thought of me. That small act of resistance was the moment I declared myself a feminist even before I knew the word existed. Also I had two older brothers so I grew up in a household of men aka I know how you think, you are all filthy people, and the patriarchy is real.
What is the best way we can all be “feminists”?
Support each other to be as fully human as possible. Feminism is a way for all of us to be more whole human beings, regardless of your body or identified gender.
Who are your “sheroes”?
Yuri Kochiyama. Grace Lee Boggs. Margaret Cho.
Favorite feminist anthem?
Most of the Beyoncé songbook. Choose your own adventure.
Favorite feminist artist? (authors, singers, dancers, actors)
Too many to name! I've been inspired by so many women of color scholars, poets, writers, and everything. Dope feminist artists are everywhere.