If 2016 has taught us anything, it’s that the personal is most definitely political. And with fourth wave feminists fighting battles on all fronts, Lady Gaga has written a impassioned essay about being a woman in 2016.
In her piece, published in the November/December issue of US Harper’s Bazaar, Gaga has touched upon the complex layers of womanhood today - detailing her upbringing, her passions and her frustrations.
A strong supporter of Hillary Clinton throughout the presidential election and a relentless campaigner against sexual assault, Gaga has positioned herself as a force for change in women’s rights.
“Being a lady today means being a fighter. It means being a survivor. It means letting yourself be vulnerable and acknowledging your shame or that you’re sad or you’re angry. It takes great strength to do that,” she wrote.
Growing up, Gaga said she was called a “rebel” for behaving and dressing as she wanted. But, turning 30, she has realised that her fervour and rebelliousness has been passed down through generations of women in her family.
“What I’ve started to realize is that my rebelliousness, if you want to call it that, is something that was passed along to me by a long line of tough people – and tough women – in my family.”
Writing openly about Joanne, her late aunt who was sexually assaulted as a teen and after whom her fifth studio album is named, Gaga explained how the impact of the attack still ricochets through her family.
She said she learned about her aunt, who died at 19 from Lupus, through stories from her family but also through witnessing the emotional outbursts - rage from her father and tears from her grandparents - at her absence.
In a time when women need to fight more than ever, Gaga has outlined what she believes what will help keep women strong and united.
“Health, happiness, love—these are the things that are at the heart of a great lady, I think. That’s the kind of lady I want to be. You know, I never thought I’d say this, but isn’t it time to take off the corsets? As someone who loves them, I think it’s time to take them off.”
