Koko: 这种“不被固定”的状态,并不是立场的缺失,而是一种方法论选择 The state of ‘not being fixed’ is not an absence of position but a methodological choice

1.我们了解过,知道你在英国学习过女性与性别研究专业,在求学的过程中有什么很深的感触吗?

在英国学习女性与性别研究,我最大的感触之一其实是它的“广泛性”。

 

女性主义、性别研究、女性学本身就是一个高度跨学科的领域,它几乎可以延伸到任何方向。你可以把它理解得非常抽象,比如从艺术、情感、文化叙事出发;也可以非常具体,进入政策、制度、法律和社会结构层面的研究。正是这种跨度,让我在学习过程中产生了一种很强烈的感受:这个领域远远比我想象中要大得多。

 

我读的是一年制硕士,而一年制的学习方式,其实更像是为你打开一张“地图”。它会带你认识这个领域里有哪些议题、有哪些研究路径,但很难真正深入到每一个方向。

 

另一个让我感触很深的,是女性主义研究中对“反身性”的强调。

反身性并不是要求研究者变得更“中立”,恰恰相反,它要求研究者始终意识到:我是谁、我站在什么位置、我拥有怎样的经验和情绪,这些都会直接影响我如何理解世界、如何生产知识。正是在这个意义上,反身性会不断瓦解一种“固定立场”的想象。因为一旦你意识到立场本身是被位置和结构塑造出来的,你就很难再把某一个立场当成一种永远正确、无需反思的身份标签。

在学习之前,包括我现在做自媒体时,我经常被问到:“你到底是哪一派女性主义?你站在哪个明确立场上?”

过去我有时会因为自己无法给出一个简单、稳定的答案而产生怀疑。但在理解了反身性之后,我反而意识到,这种“不被固定”的状态,并不是立场的缺失,而是一种方法论选择。它意味着,我更关心的是:在不同议题中,我是从什么位置出发进行理解的;我的判断成立于怎样的社会条件之下;以及这种判断本身遮蔽了哪些其他可能性。

 

2.为什么选择开始做性别议题的内容?最开始是怎么对性别研究产生兴趣的?有没有某个具体的事件或书籍,让你决定开始做相关内容?

其实我开始做性别议题内容,并不是一个一开始就规划好的决定。相反,我现在回头看,会觉得整个账号的发展过程,本身就是我女性主义觉醒的一个过程。

 

一开始做账号的时候,我做的是偏搞笑的内容。必须承认,在那个阶段,很多所谓的“搞笑段子”,它的笑点本身是建立在社会普遍存在的厌女情绪之上的。而当时的我,其实也是这套结构中的一部分。但与此同时,我从很小的时候开始,就对生活中很多事情有一种说不清的不适感。只是那时候,我没有语言去解释这种感觉。

 

到了疫情前后,自媒体开始快速发展,我在刷平台的时候,开始频繁看到一些带有 girls talk、girls help girls 气质的内容。那些视频并不会明确说自己是女性主义,但我会在里面感到非常强烈的共鸣。我当时不知道这类内容该怎么被定义,只是很确定一点:当她们分析生活中的某些现象、谈论女性经验的时候,我会觉得“这说的就是我”。

 

真正触发我开始系统性做性别议题内容的,是一次很具体的工作经历。有一次,一个情趣玩具品牌找到我,问我有没有兴趣尝试做“两性内容”。我当时其实是懵的,甚至不知道什么叫“两性内容”。但在看了他们发来的示例之后,我突然意识到:这些内容,不正是我平时最爱看的吗?只是我以前不知道它们原来是被这样命名的。

 

在研究情趣用品推广的过程中,我第一次密集接触到关于女性主体性、性语言、他者化等概念。哪怕一开始是出于工作的需要,但我很快意识到:这些分析方式,对我来说是成立的、有说服力的。于是我开始主动去研究、去阅读,也把我学到的、想到的东西慢慢分享出来。账号的内容方向,也就在这个过程中自然发生了转变。

 

(很有意思的是,这一切也恰好发生在我的申请季。我最初申请的是传媒专业,但真正让我产生强烈兴趣的,其实是传媒与性别、酷儿文化相关的内容。后来当我发现,那些吸引我的东西并不是“表达技巧”,而是背后的理论和视角时,我才最终选择转向性别研究。)

 

3.在做账号的过程中有遇到一些激烈反对的声音吗,过去和现在有什么不同的感受?

在做账号的过程中,其实我并没有遇到过那种特别激烈、直接的反对声音。可能少数的反对声音来自我的家庭,尤其是我的父亲。

 

他并不否认女性困境,他给我的像是一种‘担忧式反对’。

 

他的担忧更多来自一种“父权式的关怀”——他会跟我说,这个世界已经是一个运行了几千年的父权社会,你自己也很清楚,在你的一生中,很可能都看不到你所期待的那种真正意义上的性别平等。那你为什么要把这么沉重的议题扛在自己身上?这样活着会不会太累?

 

那次对我来说是一次很重要的对话。我当时的回应大概是:我当然知道改变极其困难,也很可能看不到最终结果,但如果每一个人都因为“看不到结果”而选择退场,那这个结构只会无限期地延续下去。

 

如果我已经意识到问题的存在,却什么都不做,那我又能指望谁来替我完成改变呢?

 

后来,随着我持续做性别议题的内容,也经历过账号被封等现实层面的风险,家人的态度其实也发生了一些变化。他们不再试图阻止我,而是更多从现实层面提醒我:如何在表达立场的同时,尽量保护好自己,让创作具备可持续性。

 

至于过去和现在的感受差异,我觉得最大的不同在于我对“无力感”的认识。

 

以前更多是一种“我不管能不能改变,我就是要说”的状态;而现在,在系统学习了性别研究之后,我更清楚父权结构为什么如此顽固,也更容易在看到宏大议题时感受到一种无力,甚至是某种女权焦虑。

 

但变化并不意味着退缩。恰恰相反,是在承认“完全的性别平等可能很难在短时间内实现”的前提下,我反而更加确信:改变从来不是一蹴而就的,它只能由无数个微小但持续的行动组成。

 

4.在国外学习和讨论然后在中文互联网输出内容,是否会让你感受到文化背景不同对于性别议题的影响?

会的,而且这种影响对我来说是非常具体、也非常强烈的。

 

我印象很深的一次经历,是在去年特朗普再次当选之后的一周,我参加了一个社会主义女性主义的研讨会。当时在场的有学生,也有一些社会行动者。

 

在讨论中,有人很自然地提出:在这样的政治背景下,我们除了在学术空间里讨论之外,还应该走上街头,通过抗议、组织、游行、罢工等方式去捍卫自己的权利。那一刻对我来说是一次非常直观的文化冲击。因为对其他国家的同学来说,这是一种非常习以为常、也被视为正当的政治参与方式,尤其是在性别议题上。

 

但对我们而言,这样的表达方式几乎是不可想象的。并不是因为我们对不公不敏感,而是因为我们非常清楚,不同的政治与文化环境,决定了哪些行动是被允许的,哪些是高风险的。

 

所以,差异确实存在,但我并不把它理解为“高低之分”,也不认为存在一种可以被直接复制的“标准女性主义”。不同文化、制度和历史路径,会深刻地塑造女性主义在不同语境中的表达方式、行动形式以及讨论重点。在国外的课堂与讨论空间里,女性主义往往更强调公开性和方法论——很多议题可以被直接命名,抗议、组织、集体行动被视为一种正当且常见的政治参与方式,这种环境使得女性主义更多以一种相对外放、结构化的形式存在。

 

而在中文互联网语境中,女性主义所面对的现实条件是完全不同的。很多时候,问题并不在于“能不能想”,而在于“能不能说、怎么说”。平台机制、舆论环境以及现实风险,使得完整而系统的表达变得困难,女性主义往往只能通过碎片化、生活化的方式出现——通过日常经验、情绪感受、具体冲突,一点点逼近结构性问题。

 

正因为如此,我在国外学习和讨论性别议题时,反而更加清楚地意识到:我的博主工作并不是把国外的理论或经验原封不动地“搬回”中文互联网,而是把它们当作分析工具,去重新理解和整理我所处语境中的现实经验。

 

5.接下来你有没有想尝试的新选题?或者想在内容里加入什么新的形式?

接下来我确实有一些很想尝试的新选题,整体方向会更偏向于把我在学校里学到的一些内容,慢慢转化成大众可以理解、也愿意接近的表达方式。对我来说,最大的挑战是如何把偏学术的知识讲得不那么学术。

 

比如我一直很想讲一个叫做女性主义批判性话语分析(FCDA)的方法。它原本是一种学术研究工具,但我在学习和使用的过程中,越来越觉得它其实非常适合被拿来理解日常生活。无论是化妆品广告的文案、一个短视频里的台词、一个被反复转发的网络热梗,甚至是大家觉得“没什么问题”的一句玩笑话,其实都可以放进这样的分析框架里重新看一遍。只是如果完全用学术语言来讲,它的门槛会非常高,也会把很多人挡在外面。所以我在想,能不能换一种形式,让这些方法“活”起来,而不是变成一堂线上理论课。我并不太想把这些内容全部做成长视频科普,因为那样很容易变成一种单向输出,也很消耗观众的注意力。

 

在形式上,我其实很受一些内容创作者的启发。比如有些博主在讲艺术史或历史时,会通过演绎、情景化叙事的方式,把知识点放进具体的人物、情绪和处境里,而不是站在一个“讲台”的位置上说教。所以接下来我很想尝试把女性主义相关的知识点,也做成一种更具体验感的内容形式。女性主义本身就有非常丰富的女性史、情绪史和经验史,如果通过演绎、叙事或角色视角的方式,让观众先进入一种具体的处境,再慢慢意识到其中的结构性问题,理解反而会更深刻。

 

我希望未来的内容,既能保留我在学习中获得的分析工具,也能让更多人觉得:这些东西不是只存在于论文里,而是和我们每天看到、用到、被影响的世界有关。

 

6.最开始发布内容时,有没有哪条评论或反馈让你觉得‘自己做这件事是有意义的’?

有的,太多了,真的太多了。

我经常在后台收到一些私信,很多来自年纪很小的女孩。她们虽然年纪小,但对生活中很多性别不公是有感知力的,也常常会感觉到某种说不清的不舒服,只是她们不知道怎么表达,也不知道到底是不是“自己太敏感了”。我收到过不少这样的留言,比如有人说:“我一直有这个困惑,但看了你的视频之后,你讲得特别细,我才突然意识到,原来不是我一个人这样想的。”有时我讲解一些学术性很强的概念,比如性别规训、身体羞耻、结构压迫,她们就会说:“你讲的这个词,真的让我一下子明白了,我之前也有这样的感觉,但我说不出来。”

 

有一句话我特别喜欢:“当你叫出恶魔的名字,这个恶魔就开始被打败了。”

我觉得这正是她们的状态——当她们终于找到一种语言去描述自己的处境时,那种痛苦就不再那么孤独、不再那么压抑。那一刻,我会觉得,我做的这件事情是有意义的。

 

有一次我印象特别深,是一个女生私信我,她说她小时候被送去一个军事化管理的冬令营。为了早上能多睡一会儿,她就没有脱内衣睡觉,后来就习惯了,一直持续到今天。她看到我关于穿内衣的视频后,第一次开始意识到:原来这个习惯可能对身体发育是有害的。她告诉我,她知道要改变这个习惯会很难,但她已经开始愿意去思考这个问题了。

那一瞬间我很受触动。不是因为她马上改变了什么,而是她有了选择的意识。

 

但很讽刺的是,就在收到这条私信的同一天,我也收到了大量恶意攻击。说我是什么“大鼻子哥布林”、“唐氏黑猪”之类的外貌羞辱的话。

 

这两个极端的场景发生在同一天。一方面是被攻击的愤怒,另一方面是从那个小女孩那里收到的温柔又真实的信任。

我当时就觉得:这个世界真的太不公平了。那些男性,在很多偏远地区,是家里更希望出生的性别,是找工作不用被盘问的性别,是在社会默认里更被支持的性别。

而与此同时,一群女孩,在努力思考“穿不穿内衣”、“怎么处理自己身体的感受”、“我是不是太矫情了”这些事。她们已经在承担沉默的、微小但真实的压迫。

 

但也正是这一天,我无比坚定地觉得:我在做的事情,是有意义的。

因为我知道,她们不是在看我,而是在借我,去看清她们自己。

7.在传播学术理论的过程中,你会觉得考虑如何把相对学术的观点转化成大家易懂的内容是一种挑战吗?

当然是挑战,甚至可以说是目前我面对的最大挑战之一。

 

其实我不怕解释学术内容,我也相信自己是有能力把这些复杂的理论讲清楚的。我有耐心去反复解释——但问题是,观众有没有耐心听?

 

在实际创作过程中,我已经不太控制视频时长了,只要我觉得内容该讲清楚,我就会继续讲下去。但我能明显看到:播放率并不高,尤其是完播率不高。这其实也说明了一件事——内容深度本身并不代表传播力。

 

而且我越来越意识到:如果我们把内容做得像一堂“教学视频”,那其实是在无意之间制造一种“信息茧房”。就是只有对这些议题本身就感兴趣、已经有一定认知的人,才会选择点进来看,愿意听你讲完。

 

有时候我会观察短视频平台上那些播放量很高的内容,比如现在非常火的短剧形式——你会发现它们基本都有一些共性:

 

1情节极简但对立明确(好人 vs 坏人)

2强烈的冲突、转折,情绪起伏大

3很爽、很刺激,观众容易沉浸进去

 

那时候我就在想:有没有办法把性别议题,也嵌入这种大家“愿意看”的情绪节奏里?但这又是一个很难拿捏的点。

 

比如说,我可能为了讲清一个性别结构的问题,去设置一个强烈的矛盾冲突,用一种“爽文式”的剧情吸引观众,但我又很担心:这会不会无意中加剧了某种简化的对立?或者让人们只看到情绪,而忽略了背后的结构分析?

 

所以有时候我会觉得,做这种内容就像在走钢丝——一边是内容的准确性和深度,另一边是平台机制和观众偏好;一边想讲清楚,一边又想不被滑走;一边要忠于立场,另一边又要试着不被封闭在“只对同温层讲话”的状态里。这真的是一个长期、不断试错的过程。

 

8.有没有遇到过逻辑很清晰的不同意见?你会怎么判断‘哪些意见值得吸收,哪些需要坚持自己的观点’?

说实话,我确实没有遇到很多“逻辑非常清晰的反对意见”,因为在网络环境下,大多数反对声音都比较情绪化,或者是立场先行,不太会真的和你就某个结构或观点进行深入的讨论。

 

但我印象有一次,是在我很早期做的一条视频下面。当时我想讲的是性行为之后的一些清洁卫生知识,比如注意戴套、女性如何清洗身体等等。因为平台审核和传播的现实限制,我用了“做饭炒菜”来代替“性行为”这件事,用洗锅洗锅铲来代替清洗的动作。

 

视频发出去后,确实传播效果不错,但也有观众评论说,不应该用这种隐喻。她的意思是,这样的表达方式反而可能加深性羞耻,并没有真正正视性行为这件事。当下我内心是有一点矛盾和防御情绪的。因为从传播者的角度来说,我很清楚平台环境的限制,如果我直接讲性行为,视频可能根本发不出来;而用隐喻的方式,一方面更安全,另一方面也更容易被推送。我当时的出发点其实很简单——我是真的想让更多女孩看到这些内容,知道如何更好地照顾自己。

 

但那条评论并没有停留在情绪指责,而是指出了一个我后来慢慢意识到确实成立的问题:当我们为了传播效果不断使用替代性语言时,会不会在无意中,把“性本身不能被正面讨论”这件事再次巩固了?

 

我对这种意见的处理方式,通常不是当下立刻给出判断。因为情绪在那个时候一定是先于理性的。但在之后的创作过程中,当我再次遇到类似表达选择时,这个观点会自动浮现在我脑子里,成为一个需要被重新权衡的因素。

 

我并不是一个立场非常僵硬的人,相反,我一直比较习惯从不同方向去看同一个问题——A 的角度成立,B 的角度也成立,甚至 C 的角度同样有它的合理性。所以真正“完全和我对立”的意见,其实并不多。

 

如果一个意见是基于逻辑分析,而不是情绪宣泄;如果它不是在否定女性经验本身,而是在提醒我表达方式或方法上的问题;如果它能在之后的思考中,继续推动我往下想,而不是让我只想关掉讨论——那这样的意见,我通常都会保留下来。

 

相反,如果只是为了反驳而反驳,或者需要我投入大量精力去反复“掰头”,那我会选择不回应。不是因为我害怕不同声音,而是因为精力本身是有限的。

 

9.毕业前后,你对性别议题的关注角度有没有发生变化?

我觉得整体来说没有发生特别大的变化。更多是学习之后,把我的视野打开了,看问题变得更广、更全面了一点。

 

以前我其实也很关注性别议题中的具体现象,也会想去理解它背后的逻辑、结构,甚至政策层面的原因,但说实话,当时更多还是一种直觉式的判断,能力和工具都比较有限。

 

现在在系统学习了研究方法之后,我会更清楚地知道,可以用什么方式去分析这些现象背后的结构性问题。所以与其说是立场变了,不如说是分析能力被拓展了。

 

10.选择全职/兼职做性别类内容,家人和朋友的态度是什么样的?有没有人提出过顾虑,你是怎么沟通或坚持的?

 

整体来说,家人和朋友对我做性别类内容的态度都比较中间,并不是那种强烈反对,也不是特别高调地支持。

 

朋友这边其实相对简单一些。在线下朋友里,除了后来读书认识的同学,我几乎是唯一一个长期关注女性主义议题的人。他们更多是觉得“你说的好像也挺有道理的”,但不会特别去评价好或不好,是一种比较中性的态度。

 

家人的态度也差不多。他们从来没有明确反对过我做这件事,但也不会用一种非常鼓励、表扬的方式来表达支持。更多是一种现实层面的支持,比如在物质或经济上愿意托底,但在语言上会比较克制。

 

他们确实提出过一些顾虑。

 

我父亲是家里比较会表达顾虑的人。他提过很多次,比如说:“你做这个事情我看不到结果,会不会太辛苦?”或者他说:“如果你在网上发这些内容,万一真有个女孩听了你的话变得很独立,到了试婚年龄还是不想组建家庭,那她爸妈来找你怎么办?”

我当时的回应其实也蛮直接的,我就说:“那太好了。”(笑)

这种对话中其实也有一些轻松的成分,他们虽然有担忧,但也不是要阻止我做什么。

 

有时候他们担心的也不是内容本身,而是这个职业路径的不确定性。自媒体本身就不像传统工作那样稳定,更别说是做性别议题这类有潜在“敏感性”的内容。他们会问我:“如果有一天平台封你号了怎么办?你辛苦做的东西一下就没了。”

 

说实话,我很理解这种担忧。而且我也知道,这其实是很多女性主义创作者都面临的现实问题。平台规则的不确定性、审查的红线、舆论环境的变化,确实是这个领域里绕不开的风险。

 

我觉得我能比较顺利地坚持下来,很大一部分是因为,我的家人和朋友虽然不一定完全理解这个议题的深度,但他们不是那种完全抗拒女性主义的人。他们不会否认性别压迫的存在,只是他们有时候没办法像我们一样去命名、去分析。他们的经验来自另一个年代,很多事情他们“习以为常”,但不代表他们不讲道理。尤其是在沟通的时候,我发现只要不是一上来就对抗,其实很多时候,他们是愿意听的。

 

11. 除了身材焦虑,你觉得当下年轻人最容易被忽视的性别相关困扰是什么?有没有计划针对这些话题做内容?

我觉得当下年轻人最容易被忽视的性别相关困扰,其实和经济、金融、政策这些“跟钱有关”的问题密切相关。它之所以不常被当成性别议题,是因为这些领域往往被理解为中性的、专业的,或者被解释成个人能力和个人选择的问题,但在现实中,它们其实是在高度性别化地分配风险和代价。

 

在现实生活里,很多人与钱相关的处境差异,并不只是努力与否的问题,而是选择空间本身就不一样。谁更容易被要求“稳定一点”,谁更容易为关系和家庭让位,谁承担了更多照护和情绪劳动,这些看起来很日常的安排,最后都会转化成非常具体的经济后果,比如收入中断、发展受限、资产积累被打断,也更容易缺乏退路和安全感。

 

所以在我看来,这类性别困扰可能比身材或容貌焦虑更隐形,但它的影响往往更长期。它不仅关系到一个人能赚多少钱,更关系到一个人在现实世界中究竟拥有多少选择权、议价权,以及在不健康处境中离开的能力。

 

但说实话,至少在近期,我并没有计划把这一部分系统地做成专题内容。一方面我确实很关注这个方向,另一方面我也很清楚,这是我目前仍然在学习、也相对欠缺的领域。我不太希望在自己还没有足够理解和把握的时候,就去输出看起来很确定的观点。

 

12.为了保证内容严谨性,你会参考哪些渠道的信息(比如学术书籍、权威报告等)?有没有遇到过信息矛盾的情况,怎么处理?

为了保证内容的严谨性,我参考的资料主要有几类。一类是比较系统的学术资源,比如性别研究、社会学、文化研究相关的书籍和论文,它们更多是帮助我理解概念、结构和理论脉络;另一类是相对权威的报告和数据,比如国际组织或研究机构发布的统计资料,能让我在讨论具体问题时,有一个比较清楚的现实背景。实际操作中,我最常用的渠道还是 Google Scholar 和学校图书馆的数据库。

 

至于所谓的信息“矛盾”,其实是经常会遇到的,但我个人不太愿意把它简单理解成真正的矛盾。因为性别议题、社会议题并不像理工科实验那样,是一个参数对应一个确定结果。很多时候,不同研究得出不同结论,并不是谁对谁错,而是研究立场、研究视角、研究对象和所处语境本身就不一样。

 

我记得以前上课做研究方法训练的时候,有同学问过导师一个问题:如果自己在写论文、收集数据时,发现实际数据和原本的推论完全不一样,该怎么办?导师当时举了一个例子,说她见过有学生想证明“几乎百分之百的女性都会如何如何”,但实际数据出来之后发现,只有大概 70% 的女性符合这个判断,还有 30% 并不符合。那个学生的第一反应是想忽略那 30%,去强行让结果贴合自己原本的假设,因为他害怕推不出自己想要的结论。

 

但导师当时反而指出:那 30% 才是真正重要的发现。

你原本以为这是一个“百分之百”的现象,但调查之后发现它并不是,那这个“不符合预期”的部分,本身就是你真正通过研究得到的、独特的论点。

 

这个例子对我影响挺大的。所以后来在面对所谓的信息差异或结论不一致时,我不会急着去选一个“正确答案”,而是会去看:这些不同是怎么产生的?是研究方法不一样,研究对象不一样,还是问题意识本身就不一样?很多时候,这种看起来的“矛盾”,恰恰是一个新的视角,甚至是一个更值得被讨论的问题。

 

在我自己的内容创作里,我也更倾向于把这种复杂性说出来:告诉大家,如果你换一个角度、换一个语境,可能会得到完全不同的结论,而理解这些差异,本身就是性别研究和社会议题里很重要的一部分。

 

13.做性别类内容可能会面临一定的争议和流量压力,你有没有想过“放弃”的时刻?是什么让你坚持下来的?

没有。

 

让我没有停下来的原因,并不是什么宏大的使命感,而是一个很个人、也很现实的判断:这些内容对我来说不是额外的负担,而是一种让我更清楚自己在现实中所处位置的方式。

如果我完全不去思考、不去表达这些问题,我反而会更不适应这个世界。

 

当然,我也会累。无论是面对一些很宏大的性别问题,还是面对争议本身,或者只是作为自媒体工作者的日常疲惫——这种累是真实存在的。我也清楚地经历过那种状态:当你已经疲乏了,是很难再继续做出好的内容的。

 

但即便如此,我也从来没有想过要彻底放弃。因为对我来说,做这些内容就像是我终于在生活里找到了一个火花一样的东西。那种感觉很明确:这是让我感到“活着”的部分。我不可能转身就把它丢掉。某种意义上,争议和流量压力反而成为了这团火继续燃烧的燃料。

 

所以我的方式不是硬撑。我会停下来,会允许自己休息、停更、调整节奏。对我来说,坚持并不等于持续高强度输出,而是在自己还能承受的范围内,选择不完全退出这个议题。哪怕我暂时停下来,日常生活中对这些问题的敏感依然存在。那些感受会慢慢积累,最后我还是会回来,继续说下去。

以上为未翻译版本

1. We know that you studied Women’s and Gender Studies in the UK. During your studies, were there any insights that left a particularly deep impression on you?

One of my strongest impressions from studying Women’s and Gender Studies in the UK was actually its breadth.

Feminism, gender studies, and women’s studies are inherently highly interdisciplinary fields—they can extend in almost any direction. You can approach them very abstractly, starting from art, emotion, or cultural narratives; or very concretely, engaging with policy, institutions, law, and social structures. It was precisely this wide scope that gave me a strong feeling during my studies: this field is far larger than I had initially imagined.

I completed a one-year master’s program, and that format felt more like being handed a map. It introduces you to the key issues and research pathways within the field, but it’s difficult to fully dive deep into every direction within such a short time.

Another aspect that deeply impacted me was the emphasis on reflexivity in feminist research.

Reflexivity doesn’t require researchers to become more “neutral.” On the contrary, it asks researchers to remain constantly aware of who they are, where they stand, and what experiences and emotions they bring with them—because all of these directly shape how they understand the world and produce knowledge. In this sense, reflexivity continuously destabilizes the idea of a “fixed position.” Once you recognize that any position is shaped by social location and structure, it becomes difficult to treat any stance as eternally correct or beyond reflection.

Before studying this—and even when I first started creating content online—I was often asked, “Which branch of feminism do you belong to? Where exactly do you stand?”

In the past, I sometimes doubted myself because I couldn’t give a simple, stable answer. But after understanding reflexivity, I realized that this “unfixed” state isn’t an absence of position—it’s a methodological choice. It means I care more about questions like: from what position am I understanding a specific issue? Under what social conditions does my judgment hold? And what other possibilities does that judgment obscure?

2. Why did you choose to start creating content around gender issues? How did your interest in gender studies begin? Was there a specific event or book that pushed you in this direction?

I didn’t start creating gender-focused content as part of a carefully planned decision. Looking back now, I feel that the development of my account itself was part of my feminist awakening.

At the very beginning, my content leaned toward humor. I have to admit that many of those “funny skits” were built on humor rooted in widely normalized misogyny—and at that time, I was also part of that structure. At the same time, though, from a very young age, I had an inarticulable sense of discomfort with many things in everyday life. I simply didn’t yet have the language to explain it.

Around the pandemic, as social media content expanded rapidly, I began encountering more videos with a girls talk, girls help girls sensibility. These videos didn’t explicitly label themselves as feminist, but I felt an intense resonance with them. I didn’t know how to categorize this type of content—I only knew that when these creators analyzed everyday phenomena or talked about women’s experiences, I felt: this is about me.

What truly triggered my shift toward systematically producing gender-focused content was a very concrete work experience. Once, a sex-toy brand reached out to ask whether I’d be interested in making “gender relations content.” I was genuinely confused—I didn’t even know what that term meant. But after reviewing the examples they sent, I suddenly realized: aren’t these exactly the kinds of videos I love watching? I just hadn’t known they were labeled this way.

While researching how intimate products are marketed, I was exposed—densely, for the first time—to concepts like female subjectivity, sexual language, and othering. Even though I initially approached them for work, I quickly realized that these analytical frameworks made sense to me. They felt convincing. I began actively reading, researching, and gradually sharing what I learned. The direction of my account naturally shifted during this process.

(Interestingly, this all happened during my application season. I initially applied for media studies, but what truly captivated me were courses connecting media with gender and queer culture. When I realized that what attracted me wasn’t “expression techniques” but the theoretical perspectives behind them, I ultimately chose to pivot to gender studies.)

3. Have you encountered strong opposition while running your account? How do your feelings about that differ between the past and now?

I actually haven’t encountered very intense or direct opposition online. Most of the resistance came from my family—especially my father.

He doesn’t deny women’s struggles; his stance is more what I’d call “concern-based opposition.”

His concerns stem from a kind of patriarchal care. He would say things like: this world has been a patriarchal system for thousands of years, and realistically, you probably won’t see true gender equality in your lifetime. Why take on such a heavy issue yourself? Isn’t that exhausting?

That conversation was extremely important to me. My response was roughly this: I know change is incredibly difficult, and I may never see the final outcome—but if everyone opts out because they can’t see results, the structure will simply persist indefinitely. If I already recognize the problem but do nothing, who am I expecting to create change on my behalf?

Later, as I continued producing gender-related content and experienced tangible risks like account bans, my family’s attitude shifted. They stopped trying to dissuade me and instead focused on practical concerns—how to protect myself while expressing my views, and how to make this work sustainable.

The biggest difference between past and present is my understanding of powerlessness.

Before, my mindset was more like: “Whether or not it changes anything, I’m going to speak.” Now, after studying gender theory more systematically, I understand more clearly why patriarchal structures are so entrenched. That awareness makes feelings of powerlessness—and even feminist anxiety—more likely when confronting large-scale issues.

But that doesn’t mean retreat. On the contrary, acknowledging that full gender equality may not be achievable in the short term has strengthened my belief that change is never instantaneous—it’s built from countless small but sustained actions.

4. Does studying and discussing gender issues abroad, while producing content for Chinese-language platforms, make you feel the impact of cultural differences?

Yes—and that impact is very concrete and intense for me.

One moment that left a deep impression was a socialist feminist seminar I attended about a week after Trump was re-elected last year. The participants included students and activists. During the discussion, someone naturally suggested that beyond academic conversations, we should take to the streets—through protests, organizing, strikes—to defend our rights.

That moment was a visceral cultural shock for me. For many of my classmates, especially those from other countries, this was a completely legitimate and familiar form of political participation—particularly regarding gender issues.

For us, such forms of expression are almost unimaginable. Not because we’re indifferent to injustice, but because we’re acutely aware that different political and cultural environments determine which actions are permitted and which carry high risk.

I don’t see this difference as a hierarchy, nor do I believe there’s a “standard feminism” that can be directly copied. Different cultures, systems, and historical paths profoundly shape how feminism is expressed, what actions are possible, and which issues are prioritized.

In Western classrooms, feminism often emphasizes openness and methodology—issues can be explicitly named, and collective action is normalized. In Chinese-language online spaces, the conditions are entirely different. The challenge isn’t whether people can think, but whether and how they can speak. Platform rules, public opinion, and real-world risks fragment feminist expression into everyday experiences, emotions, and conflicts—gradually approaching structural issues from the margins.

Because of this, studying gender issues abroad has clarified that my work isn’t about “importing” foreign theories wholesale, but about using them as analytical tools to reinterpret my own context.

5. Are there any new topics or formats you want to explore next?

Yes. I want to gradually translate what I’ve learned academically into forms that are accessible and engaging to a broader audience. My biggest challenge is making academic knowledge not feel academic.

For example, I really want to introduce Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis (FCDA). It’s an academic research method, but I find it incredibly useful for everyday life—advertising copy, short-video scripts, viral memes, even “harmless” jokes can all be re-examined through this lens. The problem is that academic language creates a high barrier.

I don’t want to turn everything into long-form lecture videos. That often becomes one-way output and drains attention. I’m inspired by creators who use reenactment or narrative storytelling to embed knowledge in lived situations rather than lecturing.

Feminism has a rich history of emotions, experiences, and everyday lives. If audiences can first enter a situation and then recognize the structure behind it, understanding becomes much deeper.

6. Was there a comment or piece of feedback early on that made you feel your work was meaningful?

Yes—so many.

I receive countless private messages, especially from very young girls. They’re often acutely aware of gender injustice but feel unsure, overly sensitive, or unable to articulate it. Many tell me: “I always felt this way, but after watching your video, I realized I wasn’t alone.” When I explain terms like gender discipline or body shame, they say: “That word finally helped me understand something I felt but couldn’t explain.”

There’s a quote I love: “When you name the demon, the demon begins to lose its power.

That’s exactly what I see happening. Once they have language, their pain becomes less isolating.

One message stood out: a girl told me she’d attended a militarized winter camp as a child and developed a habit of sleeping in her bra. After watching my video, she realized the habit might be harmful. She said she knew change would be hard—but she’d begun thinking about it.

That day, I also received massive waves of abuse—appearance-based slurs and dehumanizing insults.

Those two extremes happened on the same day. And that contrast made me painfully aware of how unfair the world is—and how necessary this work is.

Because they’re not watching me. They’re using me to see themselves.

7. Is translating academic theory into accessible content a challenge?

Absolutely—probably my biggest challenge.

I’m not afraid of explaining theory. The real question is whether audiences have the patience to listen.

Depth doesn’t guarantee reach. If content feels like a lecture, it unintentionally creates an echo chamber—only those already interested will stay.

I constantly wonder: can gender issues be embedded into formats people want to watch—without oversimplifying or turning everything into emotional spectacle?

It feels like walking a tightrope between accuracy and visibility, depth and platform logic. It’s an ongoing experiment.

8. Have you encountered well-reasoned opposing views? How do you decide which ones to absorb?

Rarely—but yes.

Once, someone criticized my use of metaphor to discuss sexual health, arguing that indirect language reinforces sexual shame. At first, I felt defensive. But over time, that comment stayed with me. It now resurfaces whenever I make similar choices.

I don’t respond immediately. I let ideas sit.

If a critique is logical, doesn’t deny women’s experiences, and continues to push my thinking forward, I keep it. If it’s purely confrontational or energy-draining, I disengage. Not out of fear—but because energy is finite.

9. Has your perspective on gender issues changed since graduation?

Not dramatically. What’s changed is my analytical capacity.

Before, my judgments were intuitive. Now I have clearer tools to analyze structures. My position hasn’t shifted—my range of vision has expanded.

10. How do family and friends feel about you doing gender-focused content full-time or part-time?

Their stance is generally neutral.

Friends tend to think, “That makes sense,” but don’t engage deeply. Family provides practical support rather than verbal encouragement.

Their main concern is sustainability and risk—platform bans, instability. I understand these worries. What’s helped is that they don’t deny gender oppression; they just come from a different generation and language.

As long as conversations aren’t framed as confrontations, many are willing to listen.

11. Beyond body anxiety, what gender-related struggles do you think are most overlooked among young people?

Economic and policy-related issues.

They’re often framed as neutral or individual choices, but in reality, risk and cost are highly gendered—who’s expected to be “stable,” who sacrifices for family, who does unpaid emotional labor. These choices accumulate into long-term economic consequences: interrupted income, reduced mobility, lack of exit options.

These issues shape power, bargaining ability, and safety—but they’re less visible than body anxiety.

I’m deeply interested in this area, but I’m still learning. I don’t want to present premature certainty.

12. How do you ensure rigor? How do you handle conflicting information?

I rely on academic books and papers, as well as reports from credible institutions. Google Scholar and university databases are my main tools.

Conflicting findings are common—but I don’t see them as contradictions. Social research depends on perspective, method, and context.

A professor once said: when data doesn’t match your hypothesis, that deviation is the discovery. That idea shaped me deeply.

So instead of choosing a “correct” answer, I ask: why do these differences exist? Often, that’s where the most meaningful discussion begins.

13. Have you ever thought about giving up due to controversy or pressure?

No.

Not because of a grand sense of mission, but because this work helps me understand my place in the world. Without it, I’d feel more alienated.

I do get tired. I rest. I pause. But I never fully step away.

This work is the part of my life that makes me feel alive. And that’s not something I can abandon.

Above is the translated and modified version.

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