Everyone has the ability to understand other people, but to actually crave connecting with other students is a want that only a few people have. Denysse Nuñez, junior, is one of those people. As a Liberal Studies major and Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies and Dance and Theater Arts minors, Denysse loves learning about how to create a better community for the future. Denysse is a strong campus activist, advocating for change as Co-President of the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance. Her approach to the feminist movement is refreshing and welcoming to anyone that wants to see today’s culture change. Keep reading to find out more!
How did you become interested in your major?
I became interested in my major through my minor. When I first came to Cal State L.A. my major was sociology. I didn’t know what to choose and my brother influenced me to choose my major. It was my minor that introduced me to Liberal Studies (LBS). I always thought that LBS was for students who wanted to become teachers. At the moment I didn’t want to become a teacher but I enjoyed what I was learning. I gave it a shot.
Do you have a minor? If so, in what field and why?
Yes, I have a minor in Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) and in Dance and Theater Arts. I decided to get my minor in WGSS because I wanted to learn more about my story as a woman of color. Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies gave me the opportunity to explore different intersects of my life. I was so drawn to WGSS because this minor had answers to the questions I had about life. I honestly wished Cal State L.A. had a major in Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies. The minor is not enough. I recently declared myself as a Dance and Theater Arts minor. I love to dance. I was always scared of taking dance classes as a child and I figured why not taking dance as a minor in college.
What extra curricular activities are you involved with on campus outside of Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance (FMLA)?
I am part of a work in progress club called the Belly Dance Club at Cal State L.A. A group of Cal State L.A. students fell in love with the Kin 154 Belly Dance class and decided to create a club where all Cal State L.A. students can learn this beautiful movement. I organize on campus with different clubs and orgs. It’s a mixer.
What sparked your interest to join FMLA?
My brother, Emmanuel Nunez, a Cal State L.A. graduate, is part of FMLA and he introduced me to FMLA. I wanted to join FMLA because I like the topics we discussed in the meetings. I strongly connected with the topics and I would always learn something new. I didn’t consider myself a feminist but I had similar ideas to feminism. Feminism is something that interested me to join FMLA. I always craved to learn more.
What do you think is the most influential thing that you’ve helped make happen through FMLA?
FMLA was a strong influence in the movement to demand for a major, department and bachelor degree in Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies. I believe this has been the most influential thing we have done. However, this all occurred through the collective work of the students on our campus.
If you had to clear up one misconception of feminism, which would it be?
Feminist hate men. I hear this all the time. The feminist movement isn’t anti-man its anti hetero white supremacy patriarchy. This movement isn’t about separating ourselves and valuing women better than men. We are trying to break free from these ideas of hierarchy.
Before you graduate, what do you hope to accomplish?
Before I graduate I hope to create a strong community at Cal State L.A. with all students, faculty and staff. Cal State L.A. is known for being a commuter school, with the population being mostly people of color. I don’t believe we notice how diverse our campus is and how we all share similar experiences. I’d like to connect with as much students as possible before I graduate next school year in the spring.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to sleep. As a working class student and organizer, my sleeping time has been reduced. I look forward to snuggling with my pillow. Besides sleeping I like to be active. During my free time I like to run, walk my dogs and dance.
What’s your favorite way to get involved with the feminist movement off campus?
I enjoy talking to people and attending community events off campus. There are a lot of issues that are feminist issues, however when we think about feminism we think about the main stream white feminism. It usually revolves around women’s rights, access to birth control and abortion, and gay marriage. There are so many feminist movements happening off campus, however we don’t see them as feminist movements, yet the ideas are still there. Feminism is much more inclusive and complex than what main stream feminism projects.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
This is a scary question because I do not know myself. I know I would be definitely continuing the work I am doing now.
Looking into the future, what would you like to see change in society within the next 10 years?
I would like for the culture in this society to be destroyed and for us to collectively build a new culture that takes into account our diverse identities.