Garnier, Katja Von, dir. Iron Jawed Angels. HBO Films, 2004.
Scott, Linda M. Fresh Lipstick: Redressing Fashion and Feminism. N.p.: Palgrave,n.d.
Rowe-Finkbeiner, Kristin. The F Word. Emeryville, CA: Avalon Publishing Press, 2004.
Darraj, Susan. "Understanding the Other Sister: The Case of Arab Feminism". August 2008:
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Essay 2 - Final
Feminism is the theory of political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. Feminism is the radical notion that women are human beings states Cheris Kramerae. Feminists are hairy, butch, lesbian women or old, rich, white men. Feminism is not only in America, but can be seen all across the world. Unfortunately, the media in America does not always give accurate portrayals of women around the world. For example, in the article Understanding the Other Sister: Arab Feminism, Susan Muaddi Darraj stated, “I understood–and not for the first time–the astounding disconnection between the lives of Arab women, and the lives of Arab women as represented by the American media and entertainment industries, thus as perceived by Americans themselves.” Before this class, I had that stereotypical view of Arab women, I thought they walked one step behind their husband, weren’t allowed to wear anything but a head-to-toe cover, not allowed to work and were just made to serve the man. I have grown up with us being at war with the middle east and seeing only the pictures that the medai wants us to see. “The rise of
U.S. feminism in the 1970s and 1980s coincided with the rise of Islam as the “new enemy of the Western World,” stated Darraj. After taking this class, I have learned about the long and hard struggle of Arab feminism and how many rights they actually do have. Not only do Arab feminists have to fight for their rights but they are constantly battling the stereotypes of their women across the world. Feminism is not just helping white middle to upper-class women in America, but it is about helping women all over the world of all races and classes. Women are constantly being judged on their appearances, ideas and roles. Feminism, to me, is about taking on the world and showing everyone that women are just as important, if not more, than any man on this planet. Feminism is about gaining the respect that we deserve. Feminism can be a very scary word to many people. Most people think feminists are man-haters, lesbians, crazy, butch women, but once you do the research you can find that feminism has a long history of doing many good things for women.
There are three waves to feminism, the first wave started with the birth of our nation. The very first women’s rights convention was held at Seneca Falls, New York in 1848. These women were of all ages and races and were all working toward a common goal, women’s rights. The biggest fight of all was getting women the right to vote. In 1870, the Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted any race the right to vote, but not women. “Men their rights and nothing more; women their rights and nothing less,” was a rallying cry at the time of the first wave of feminism (Rowe-Finkbeiner, p.21). Many women who fought for their rights were fined and even jailed; other women endured in hunger strikes, marches and demonstrations. In 1872, Susan B. Anthony cast a legendary and illegal vote in New York, where after she was arrested and fined. These women stood up for women all across the world without fear. Another dominant female of the time was Alice Paul, she founded the National Women’s Party and organized a demonstration of ten thousand in the 1913 inauguration of President Woodrow Wilson to protest his opposition to women’s voting rights (Rowe-Finkbeiner, p. 22). A movie was made in 2004, called Iron Jawed Angels, that portrayed Alice Paul and the women who fought beside her for suffrage. In the movie, Alice Paul stated, “We're legitimate citizens. We're taxed without representation. We're not allowed to serve on juries so we're not tried by our peers. It's unconscionable, not to mention unconstitutional. We don't make the laws but we have to obey them like children.” There was one scene in the movie that affected me the most, and that was the force-feeding scene. Alice Paul was on a hunger strike after being thrown in a mental hospital for her actions in the women’s suffrage movement, the hospital staff soon got tired of her act and shoved a tube down her throat forcing her to eat. The scene was so disturbing but yet so empowering to watch. I can not imagine going through what those women went through, yet I reap the benefits each and every day. Finally, the Nineteenth Amendment was passed and in 1920 women voted for the first time. Not only did these women gain the right to vote but they helped change the view of women and gave women a confidence they didn’t have before. As much as women accomplished their roles were still restricted, they still weren’t in the work force or allowed to use contraception. The first wave got women’s foot in the door, and it was up to the future women to open it.
The second wave of feminism focused more on women’s independence and equality with men. Many of the women who worked in the second wave gave us rights that we can’t imagine not having today. For example, gender equality in the workplace, reproductive and sexuality information, and made discrimination of the sexes or race illegal. Women were stuck in certain stereotypical jobs such as secretaries, and they weren’t allowed to have jobs like factory workers. I can’t believe I have never thought about the rights I have now and who fought for me to have them. Not only did the second wave fight for women to get into the workforce, but also to have equal pay for equal work. However, the second wave did come with quite a few criticisms. Many argued that the second wave only focused on upper and middle class white women, and did not focus on other races of women or lower-class women. There will always people that criticize the waves of feminism, but looking back the second wave accomplished many things and once again it was up to the future women to keep it going.
The third wave, or the contemporary wave, is what we are experiencing today. The third wave is different from the past two waves because there isn’t a big movement that is happening. “What makes defining the third wave challenging is that not only is the shared label (feminism) missing, also missing is a shared movement that connects the factions of modern feminism and moves shared issues into the broad arena of popular concern” (Rowe-Finkbeiner, p. 32). There are several small issues, but nothing like gaining the right to vote, or equal pay in the workplace. Honestly, I had no idea about feminism and that there were groups fighting for things today until I took this class. I had no idea we weren’t being paid equally as a male doing the same job. I think a big problem with my generation is the laziness and impatience. A lot of people don’t like being involved in something where they can’t see direct results for all the work they have done. I think a goal of the third wave should be to reach out to these younger generations and make them understand what the men and women have done before us to give us these rights.
I think women’s studies and feminism go hand-in-hand. I had no knowledge about feminism until I took this women’s studies class. I think women’s studies is important to educate people about women’s rights and feminism is to fight for these rights. Learning about women in the past that have fought for our rights today is inspiring and should be talked about more. I am upset that I never had the option in middle school or high school to take a women’s studies class. I’m still not quite sure of the reason why it is not talked about, I guess it is too controversial to talk about women and their history? I think it is sad that if I said the name Alice Paul my friends would be clueless, but if I said Tony Romo or Wayne Gretzky they could probably tell me ten things about them. Women’s studies and feminism go hand-in-hand and should be talked about way more than they are now. I think the third wave feminists would have way more support if the issues and information were shared with girls from a young age. Women’s studies is a very important subject, and it is more important that the stereotypes that come along with feminism and women be changed.
I believe I am a feminist. Before this class I wouldn’t have known how to answer this question, but I am proud to now say that I am a feminist. Of course, having no prior knowledge I believe in standing up for women of all races to become equal with men. What angered me the most was learning that women were still only making seventy cents to the man’s dollar. I was very affected by the statement in Fresh Lipstick by Linda Scott that says, “In the end, I hope I have encouraged others who are dedicated to the equality of women, but who do not wish to give up the pleasures of self-decoration, to renew their commitment to the project of feminism. Voices from around the world report a variety of conditions and systems under which only one thing holds constant: the universal second-class of females. If there was ever a moment when the women of one culture had a responsibility toward their sisters is other nations, this is it. We should not waste time quibbling over what to wear to the conflict. Instead, I would hope that, aimed with a new perspective, a rejuvenated resolve, and yes, even a little fresh lipstick, America feminism could venture out into the world to meet the challenge.” This statement is so powerful and it makes me proud to be a woman. I feel that after looking deep into the history of feminism and what the women before me have done, I am proud to call myself a feminist. Feminists can be white, black, men, women, young or old, as long as we all want the same equality for women it doesn’t matter who you are. I have learned so much from this class and hope to pass my knowledge on to whoever I can, hopefully turning a few more into feminists.
U.S. feminism in the 1970s and 1980s coincided with the rise of Islam as the “new enemy of the Western World,” stated Darraj. After taking this class, I have learned about the long and hard struggle of Arab feminism and how many rights they actually do have. Not only do Arab feminists have to fight for their rights but they are constantly battling the stereotypes of their women across the world. Feminism is not just helping white middle to upper-class women in America, but it is about helping women all over the world of all races and classes. Women are constantly being judged on their appearances, ideas and roles. Feminism, to me, is about taking on the world and showing everyone that women are just as important, if not more, than any man on this planet. Feminism is about gaining the respect that we deserve. Feminism can be a very scary word to many people. Most people think feminists are man-haters, lesbians, crazy, butch women, but once you do the research you can find that feminism has a long history of doing many good things for women.
There are three waves to feminism, the first wave started with the birth of our nation. The very first women’s rights convention was held at Seneca Falls, New York in 1848. These women were of all ages and races and were all working toward a common goal, women’s rights. The biggest fight of all was getting women the right to vote. In 1870, the Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted any race the right to vote, but not women. “Men their rights and nothing more; women their rights and nothing less,” was a rallying cry at the time of the first wave of feminism (Rowe-Finkbeiner, p.21). Many women who fought for their rights were fined and even jailed; other women endured in hunger strikes, marches and demonstrations. In 1872, Susan B. Anthony cast a legendary and illegal vote in New York, where after she was arrested and fined. These women stood up for women all across the world without fear. Another dominant female of the time was Alice Paul, she founded the National Women’s Party and organized a demonstration of ten thousand in the 1913 inauguration of President Woodrow Wilson to protest his opposition to women’s voting rights (Rowe-Finkbeiner, p. 22). A movie was made in 2004, called Iron Jawed Angels, that portrayed Alice Paul and the women who fought beside her for suffrage. In the movie, Alice Paul stated, “We're legitimate citizens. We're taxed without representation. We're not allowed to serve on juries so we're not tried by our peers. It's unconscionable, not to mention unconstitutional. We don't make the laws but we have to obey them like children.” There was one scene in the movie that affected me the most, and that was the force-feeding scene. Alice Paul was on a hunger strike after being thrown in a mental hospital for her actions in the women’s suffrage movement, the hospital staff soon got tired of her act and shoved a tube down her throat forcing her to eat. The scene was so disturbing but yet so empowering to watch. I can not imagine going through what those women went through, yet I reap the benefits each and every day. Finally, the Nineteenth Amendment was passed and in 1920 women voted for the first time. Not only did these women gain the right to vote but they helped change the view of women and gave women a confidence they didn’t have before. As much as women accomplished their roles were still restricted, they still weren’t in the work force or allowed to use contraception. The first wave got women’s foot in the door, and it was up to the future women to open it.
The second wave of feminism focused more on women’s independence and equality with men. Many of the women who worked in the second wave gave us rights that we can’t imagine not having today. For example, gender equality in the workplace, reproductive and sexuality information, and made discrimination of the sexes or race illegal. Women were stuck in certain stereotypical jobs such as secretaries, and they weren’t allowed to have jobs like factory workers. I can’t believe I have never thought about the rights I have now and who fought for me to have them. Not only did the second wave fight for women to get into the workforce, but also to have equal pay for equal work. However, the second wave did come with quite a few criticisms. Many argued that the second wave only focused on upper and middle class white women, and did not focus on other races of women or lower-class women. There will always people that criticize the waves of feminism, but looking back the second wave accomplished many things and once again it was up to the future women to keep it going.
The third wave, or the contemporary wave, is what we are experiencing today. The third wave is different from the past two waves because there isn’t a big movement that is happening. “What makes defining the third wave challenging is that not only is the shared label (feminism) missing, also missing is a shared movement that connects the factions of modern feminism and moves shared issues into the broad arena of popular concern” (Rowe-Finkbeiner, p. 32). There are several small issues, but nothing like gaining the right to vote, or equal pay in the workplace. Honestly, I had no idea about feminism and that there were groups fighting for things today until I took this class. I had no idea we weren’t being paid equally as a male doing the same job. I think a big problem with my generation is the laziness and impatience. A lot of people don’t like being involved in something where they can’t see direct results for all the work they have done. I think a goal of the third wave should be to reach out to these younger generations and make them understand what the men and women have done before us to give us these rights.
I think women’s studies and feminism go hand-in-hand. I had no knowledge about feminism until I took this women’s studies class. I think women’s studies is important to educate people about women’s rights and feminism is to fight for these rights. Learning about women in the past that have fought for our rights today is inspiring and should be talked about more. I am upset that I never had the option in middle school or high school to take a women’s studies class. I’m still not quite sure of the reason why it is not talked about, I guess it is too controversial to talk about women and their history? I think it is sad that if I said the name Alice Paul my friends would be clueless, but if I said Tony Romo or Wayne Gretzky they could probably tell me ten things about them. Women’s studies and feminism go hand-in-hand and should be talked about way more than they are now. I think the third wave feminists would have way more support if the issues and information were shared with girls from a young age. Women’s studies is a very important subject, and it is more important that the stereotypes that come along with feminism and women be changed.
I believe I am a feminist. Before this class I wouldn’t have known how to answer this question, but I am proud to now say that I am a feminist. Of course, having no prior knowledge I believe in standing up for women of all races to become equal with men. What angered me the most was learning that women were still only making seventy cents to the man’s dollar. I was very affected by the statement in Fresh Lipstick by Linda Scott that says, “In the end, I hope I have encouraged others who are dedicated to the equality of women, but who do not wish to give up the pleasures of self-decoration, to renew their commitment to the project of feminism. Voices from around the world report a variety of conditions and systems under which only one thing holds constant: the universal second-class of females. If there was ever a moment when the women of one culture had a responsibility toward their sisters is other nations, this is it. We should not waste time quibbling over what to wear to the conflict. Instead, I would hope that, aimed with a new perspective, a rejuvenated resolve, and yes, even a little fresh lipstick, America feminism could venture out into the world to meet the challenge.” This statement is so powerful and it makes me proud to be a woman. I feel that after looking deep into the history of feminism and what the women before me have done, I am proud to call myself a feminist. Feminists can be white, black, men, women, young or old, as long as we all want the same equality for women it doesn’t matter who you are. I have learned so much from this class and hope to pass my knowledge on to whoever I can, hopefully turning a few more into feminists.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Essay 1-Sources
Belkin, Lisa. "The Opt-Out Revolution." The New York Times 26 Oct. 2003. Nytimes.com. 26 Oct. 2003. 11 May 2009 .
Hooks, Bell. The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love. New York: Atria Books, January 2004.
McIntosh, Peggy. "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack". Peace and Freedom July/August 1989.
Pipher, Mary. Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1994.
Valenti, Jessica. He's a Stud, She's a Slut and 49 Other Double Standards Every Woman Should Know. Berkeley, California: Seal P, 2008.
Hooks, Bell. The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love. New York: Atria Books, January 2004.
McIntosh, Peggy. "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack". Peace and Freedom July/August 1989.
Pipher, Mary. Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1994.
Valenti, Jessica. He's a Stud, She's a Slut and 49 Other Double Standards Every Woman Should Know. Berkeley, California: Seal P, 2008.
Essay 1-Final
This class has opened my eyes to many issues regarding gender, sexuality, race, equality, rights, and many other things that I have rarely taken the time to think about. Being a white woman in today’s world, I thought I had little to worry about and hardly any hardships to overcome; little did I know how far women still have to go. We talked about many things throughout the semester, but a few articles really caught my attention. These articles include: White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack by Peggy McIntosh, The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love by Bell Hooks, The Opt-Out Revolution by Lisa Belkin, Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher, and He’s a Stud, She’s a Slut and 49 Other Double Standards Every Woman Should Know by Jessica Valenti. Most of these articles focus on issues that come with being a woman, and since I have gone through similar experiences I was able to relate with them the most. Each one of these articles impacted me in some way, mostly they showed me new viewpoints and ideas that I would have never come across otherwise. After reading these articles, I found that society has a “social norm” for every aspect of life, and if you are white, black, male, female, young or old, a slut or stud, society tells you how you should act. Society tells us the white race is dominant, society tells us how to raise our children, society tells us if women should or should not stay at home with their children, and society tells us if a girl is being a slut.
The first article I chose to look at is White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack by Peggy McIntosh. Peggy focuses on the idea that the privileged people of the world, in one way or another, are oppressing the lesser privileged people. Peggy McIntosh states, “As a white person, I realized I had been taught about racism as something which puts others at a disadvantage, but had been taught not to see one of its corollary aspects, white privilege, which puts me at an advantage.” I had never thought about race or gender in this aspect because society has not led me to think that way. We focus on being equal, but only if our status remains the same and the other people come to our level, we have never thought about stepping down to theirs. Many people reject this idea because who wants to be held accountable for another person’s oppression; it is a very hard concept to accept. Another point McIntosh made was, “whites are taught to think of their lives as a morally neutral, normative, and average, also idea, so that when we work to benefit others, this is seen as work which will allow ‘them’ to be more like ‘us.’ This is what I have been taught by my parents, school, and society since I was a small child. For some reason, society has put whites as the dominant race and every other race should work to be more like “us.” This article mostly focuses on race, but this idea is the same for men and women. Women are striving to be equal to men, we are trying to get on their level but they are not trying to meet us in the middle. Who wants to give up privileges they are born with? The most important thing I have learned from this class is how many things I have been taking advantage of for the past twenty-one years of my life. McIntosh lists twenty-six everyday privileges that white people receive only because of their skin color; for example, it could be something simple enough as a flesh-tone bandage, you never see any darker bandages for darker skinned people. I never thought about the extra privileges I receive from my skin color, gender, looks, age, etc. This class, and this article, have taught me to appreciate what I have been given and use it to benefit others. I know I can’t change the world by myself, but if society starts to change then people’s views will start to change with it.
The second article that impacted me this semester is The Will to Change by Bell Hooks. I was raised with two sisters, my mother and father. My household was definitely female dominated, and all of my extended family is also female. I had never thought how difficult it might be for young boys to express emotions or for parents to be worried about masculinity. I was raised in a family where the females were all the dominant figures of the household. This article has made me aware what parents of boys and the boys themselves go through growing up. However, this issue wouldn’t be so intense if it isn’t for society and the media. Bell Hooks focuses on patriarchal masculinity being the reason that young boys choose not to share emotions and end up getting into violence. Many parents are scared of their boys being too feminine or not masculine enough, and one of the biggest fears is homosexuality. Some people believe that if they teach their boy to be emotional and expressive that they could end up homosexual. Why do they think that? This is what society tells us, society says it isn’t normal for men to be weak and vulnerable, but they should be violent and strong. “To truly protect and honor the emotional lives of boys we must challenge patriarchal culture. And until that culture changes, we must create the subcultures, the sanctuaries where boys can learn to be who they are uniquely, without being forced to conform to patriarchal masculine visions,” states Bell Hooks. Feminists push for equality and they should push for the equal treatment of boys and girls; they should be raised with the same values. However, once again society tells us otherwise and we do nothing but listen.
The third article was probably the most talked about article in the media, The Opt-Out Revolution by Lisa Belkin. This article affected many women worldwide, whether they were working or stay-at-home mothers. Belkin proposed that the reason women are not holding as many as the high up jobs men have, is because they don’t want them. She said that most of these women would rather stay at home with their children than to move up on the career ladder. If they didn’t have the option to stay-at-home then they wanted a less stressful job that would allow them to have more time at home. This article interested me because I had no prior knowledge to this subject, it was yet another thing I had never thought or heard about. I understand what Belkin is saying, but I’m not quite sure she said it in the right way. Like many arguments to Belkin, not everyone has the option of staying home with their children because of financial difficulties. I was always told to go to school, make good grades, graduate and get a job; anything beyond that seemed too far in the future. Now I am twenty-one years old and getting closer to the “real world.” After reading Belkin’s article I started thinking about what I want for my family and myself. However, I have no idea what the future holds for me. Society tells me both are acceptable, but it is expected that I will stay home with the children rather than work. Society also tells us that the man should be the breadwinner and does not have the option of staying at home with the kids. In my opinion, it shouldn’t matter what men or women do with their lives, its only affecting them. I view it as if a woman or man wants to stay at home, then that’s their choice and I have no room to judge. Women who want to be in the work force and move up the career ladder will, if not then they will choose to raise their family. Society sends mixed messages, and I’m honestly confused about what I should do, it is a good thing I have quite a while to decide.
The fourth article I chose was Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher. I related most to this article because I remember going through an awkward adolescent phase. As young girls mature, they definitely going through many phases, some better than others. Society starts to have more of an impact on young girls as they are exposed to television and magazines. I started becoming more aware of my looks in middle school, where in elementary school I wore T-shirts and shorts every day so I could play outside at recess. At middle school recess completely changed, it went from basketball and soccer to cliques and popularity. Reviving Ophelia suggests that “adolescent girls experience a similar pressure to split into true and false selves, but this time the pressure comes not from parents but from the culture.” Once again, culture tells us what is normal and how we should act.
The last article I chose was He’s a Stud, She’s a Slut by Jessica Valenti. This was my favorite reading throughout the semester because double standards are one of my biggest pet peeves. Her double standards included things such as: she’s a slut, he’s a stud, he’s a hero, she’s a damsel, he’s gonna be a success, she’s gonna be a stay-at-home mom, he’s a politician, she’s a fashion plate, he’s tough, she’s a tomboy, he’s successful, she’s a showoff, he’s a boss, she’s a bitch, he’s getting and education, she’s getting in his way, and he’s funny, she’s annoying. I’m sure everyone could think of hundreds more, but I feel that these cover a lot of ground. What I found most interesting was at the end of each segment she would have a part that says, “what to do,” and in almost each one it said do not let the media get away with this, write a letter to the editor, make sure the media is telling the truth, make sure their studies are accurate, etc. It just goes to show that once again society and the media are putting these ideas out there and we are following. Just as Valenti said, we can’t change the whole world but we can change the people around us. Start addressing friends who use these double standards or the local media who follows these. Women need to start standing up around the world to these ridiculous standards. We think we have come a long way, but we have so much further to go.
Each one of these articles was connected through the way our society has taught us to live, think and act. For example, whites are more powerful, men are better than women, young boys should be emotionless, girls lose themselves in their teenage years, women are sluts, etc. Every article basically blamed society and media for our views today, but how can you not? All of these things in the articles occur every day on the television, in magazines, on the internet and half men and women think nothing of it. Many of my friends have never even thought to be offended by women being viewed as sexual objects, and half of them would probably enjoy being those sexual objects. The things we see today and strive to be are not good role models. This class has taught me to realize what society has done to women and that I should start standing up for myself and the ones around me. I came into this class oblivious to women’s oppressions and came out of this class full of knowledge, this knowledge I can now take and teach my friends. I am still shocked at how little was taught to me about women’s studies in middle school or high school. I am glad I finally have gained the knowledge I need. This class has made me think about my future and what I should expect from it. I will be much more aware of how I will be treated in the workforce, and realize that I will have to work twice as hard as a man would. My future goal is to take it one step at a time and start with my girlfriends. I hope to pass on the knowledge I have gained through this class and make little changes in my friends lives to help women across the world.
The first article I chose to look at is White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack by Peggy McIntosh. Peggy focuses on the idea that the privileged people of the world, in one way or another, are oppressing the lesser privileged people. Peggy McIntosh states, “As a white person, I realized I had been taught about racism as something which puts others at a disadvantage, but had been taught not to see one of its corollary aspects, white privilege, which puts me at an advantage.” I had never thought about race or gender in this aspect because society has not led me to think that way. We focus on being equal, but only if our status remains the same and the other people come to our level, we have never thought about stepping down to theirs. Many people reject this idea because who wants to be held accountable for another person’s oppression; it is a very hard concept to accept. Another point McIntosh made was, “whites are taught to think of their lives as a morally neutral, normative, and average, also idea, so that when we work to benefit others, this is seen as work which will allow ‘them’ to be more like ‘us.’ This is what I have been taught by my parents, school, and society since I was a small child. For some reason, society has put whites as the dominant race and every other race should work to be more like “us.” This article mostly focuses on race, but this idea is the same for men and women. Women are striving to be equal to men, we are trying to get on their level but they are not trying to meet us in the middle. Who wants to give up privileges they are born with? The most important thing I have learned from this class is how many things I have been taking advantage of for the past twenty-one years of my life. McIntosh lists twenty-six everyday privileges that white people receive only because of their skin color; for example, it could be something simple enough as a flesh-tone bandage, you never see any darker bandages for darker skinned people. I never thought about the extra privileges I receive from my skin color, gender, looks, age, etc. This class, and this article, have taught me to appreciate what I have been given and use it to benefit others. I know I can’t change the world by myself, but if society starts to change then people’s views will start to change with it.
The second article that impacted me this semester is The Will to Change by Bell Hooks. I was raised with two sisters, my mother and father. My household was definitely female dominated, and all of my extended family is also female. I had never thought how difficult it might be for young boys to express emotions or for parents to be worried about masculinity. I was raised in a family where the females were all the dominant figures of the household. This article has made me aware what parents of boys and the boys themselves go through growing up. However, this issue wouldn’t be so intense if it isn’t for society and the media. Bell Hooks focuses on patriarchal masculinity being the reason that young boys choose not to share emotions and end up getting into violence. Many parents are scared of their boys being too feminine or not masculine enough, and one of the biggest fears is homosexuality. Some people believe that if they teach their boy to be emotional and expressive that they could end up homosexual. Why do they think that? This is what society tells us, society says it isn’t normal for men to be weak and vulnerable, but they should be violent and strong. “To truly protect and honor the emotional lives of boys we must challenge patriarchal culture. And until that culture changes, we must create the subcultures, the sanctuaries where boys can learn to be who they are uniquely, without being forced to conform to patriarchal masculine visions,” states Bell Hooks. Feminists push for equality and they should push for the equal treatment of boys and girls; they should be raised with the same values. However, once again society tells us otherwise and we do nothing but listen.
The third article was probably the most talked about article in the media, The Opt-Out Revolution by Lisa Belkin. This article affected many women worldwide, whether they were working or stay-at-home mothers. Belkin proposed that the reason women are not holding as many as the high up jobs men have, is because they don’t want them. She said that most of these women would rather stay at home with their children than to move up on the career ladder. If they didn’t have the option to stay-at-home then they wanted a less stressful job that would allow them to have more time at home. This article interested me because I had no prior knowledge to this subject, it was yet another thing I had never thought or heard about. I understand what Belkin is saying, but I’m not quite sure she said it in the right way. Like many arguments to Belkin, not everyone has the option of staying home with their children because of financial difficulties. I was always told to go to school, make good grades, graduate and get a job; anything beyond that seemed too far in the future. Now I am twenty-one years old and getting closer to the “real world.” After reading Belkin’s article I started thinking about what I want for my family and myself. However, I have no idea what the future holds for me. Society tells me both are acceptable, but it is expected that I will stay home with the children rather than work. Society also tells us that the man should be the breadwinner and does not have the option of staying at home with the kids. In my opinion, it shouldn’t matter what men or women do with their lives, its only affecting them. I view it as if a woman or man wants to stay at home, then that’s their choice and I have no room to judge. Women who want to be in the work force and move up the career ladder will, if not then they will choose to raise their family. Society sends mixed messages, and I’m honestly confused about what I should do, it is a good thing I have quite a while to decide.
The fourth article I chose was Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher. I related most to this article because I remember going through an awkward adolescent phase. As young girls mature, they definitely going through many phases, some better than others. Society starts to have more of an impact on young girls as they are exposed to television and magazines. I started becoming more aware of my looks in middle school, where in elementary school I wore T-shirts and shorts every day so I could play outside at recess. At middle school recess completely changed, it went from basketball and soccer to cliques and popularity. Reviving Ophelia suggests that “adolescent girls experience a similar pressure to split into true and false selves, but this time the pressure comes not from parents but from the culture.” Once again, culture tells us what is normal and how we should act.
The last article I chose was He’s a Stud, She’s a Slut by Jessica Valenti. This was my favorite reading throughout the semester because double standards are one of my biggest pet peeves. Her double standards included things such as: she’s a slut, he’s a stud, he’s a hero, she’s a damsel, he’s gonna be a success, she’s gonna be a stay-at-home mom, he’s a politician, she’s a fashion plate, he’s tough, she’s a tomboy, he’s successful, she’s a showoff, he’s a boss, she’s a bitch, he’s getting and education, she’s getting in his way, and he’s funny, she’s annoying. I’m sure everyone could think of hundreds more, but I feel that these cover a lot of ground. What I found most interesting was at the end of each segment she would have a part that says, “what to do,” and in almost each one it said do not let the media get away with this, write a letter to the editor, make sure the media is telling the truth, make sure their studies are accurate, etc. It just goes to show that once again society and the media are putting these ideas out there and we are following. Just as Valenti said, we can’t change the whole world but we can change the people around us. Start addressing friends who use these double standards or the local media who follows these. Women need to start standing up around the world to these ridiculous standards. We think we have come a long way, but we have so much further to go.
Each one of these articles was connected through the way our society has taught us to live, think and act. For example, whites are more powerful, men are better than women, young boys should be emotionless, girls lose themselves in their teenage years, women are sluts, etc. Every article basically blamed society and media for our views today, but how can you not? All of these things in the articles occur every day on the television, in magazines, on the internet and half men and women think nothing of it. Many of my friends have never even thought to be offended by women being viewed as sexual objects, and half of them would probably enjoy being those sexual objects. The things we see today and strive to be are not good role models. This class has taught me to realize what society has done to women and that I should start standing up for myself and the ones around me. I came into this class oblivious to women’s oppressions and came out of this class full of knowledge, this knowledge I can now take and teach my friends. I am still shocked at how little was taught to me about women’s studies in middle school or high school. I am glad I finally have gained the knowledge I need. This class has made me think about my future and what I should expect from it. I will be much more aware of how I will be treated in the workforce, and realize that I will have to work twice as hard as a man would. My future goal is to take it one step at a time and start with my girlfriends. I hope to pass on the knowledge I have gained through this class and make little changes in my friends lives to help women across the world.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Blog 10
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) goal is to find a cure to breast cancer. It provides funding for clinical and transitional research at many medical centers, and they also are working on increasing the public awareness about good breast health. Breast cancer has effected several people in my life and I think it is very important for women to be aware of it. Every dollar that is donated to the BCRF, eight-five cents is donated to research. Not only do they help donate money to research, but they have several support groups for survivors and their families. The thing I like the most about BCRF is that it does not concentrate on just curing cancer, but also preventing it. I don't think women are aware of how common breast cancer is and what you can do to prevent it. I would love to start donating to this foundation or help volunteer for it. I have volunteered for Make-A-Wish Foundation in the past, which also works with cancer patients, and I have never done anything so rewarding. Breast cancer is a very important issue and I think all people should support research for a cure to it.
After reading The F-Word I agree with REuss's point that women in the third wave are politically inactive. I know I take my voting rights, working rights, etc. for granted. I never even thought about what women went before me who fought for those rights before I took this class. I think a lot of people my age are focused on many other unimportant things rather than on serious issues. For example, when we had that conversation in class about the media and public focusing more on Sarah Palin, Michelle Obama, and Cindy McCain's looks rather than on what issues were important to them and what advocates they were. I think this third wave has a long way to go because we do take a lot of our rights now for granted.
After reading The F-Word I agree with REuss's point that women in the third wave are politically inactive. I know I take my voting rights, working rights, etc. for granted. I never even thought about what women went before me who fought for those rights before I took this class. I think a lot of people my age are focused on many other unimportant things rather than on serious issues. For example, when we had that conversation in class about the media and public focusing more on Sarah Palin, Michelle Obama, and Cindy McCain's looks rather than on what issues were important to them and what advocates they were. I think this third wave has a long way to go because we do take a lot of our rights now for granted.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Reading Gender
The Eternal Feminine is probably one of the most interesting plays I've ever read. One of the scenes that struck me the most was The Life of a Single Woman section. The opening of the scene starts with Lupita trying on a wig, which gives a vision of a poem about the life of a single woman and how she is ashamed for not having a man in her life. It one part of the poem it says, "Facing an opaque crystal, the single woman--extinguished star--paints onto her lips the blood she does not have." Not only is she ashamed of who she is, she is not even a human being if she does not have a man by her side.
After the poem, images are flashed across the screen at the hair salon of Lupita at several different occupations as a single woman. The occupations are shown are a teacher in an empty classroom, a secretary typing a blank note and a surgical assistant with no patient to treat. The last thing Lupita seems is a view of the empty street with no children and nothing but a pregnant woman with a shopping bag on her arm. I assumed this to mean that without men, the world would be empty; all men are the ones who go to school, have secretaries work for them and are the doctors of the world. Without men, women would have no jobs because women only work for men. Once again, the play is showing that women are nothing, and can not be anything, without men in their lives and in this world.
Lupita is horrified by the scene she had seen and wanted immediately to take of the wig that made this image. She tries on another wig called "The Soiled Flower." The next vision is of Lupita dressed as a prostitute stumbling upon a lamppost at a street corner. A man approaches her first and starts to inform her on the rules of being a prostitute. Shorty after, a second prostitute confronts Lupita and after a small confrontation, befriends her. The experienced prostitute starts giving her some advice about working and how to please the men. One of the things that stuck out the most to me was when the prostitute told Lupita that even if you are in this job by your own free will, you have to act miserable, weak and vulnerable to your customers. Men are especially pleased when they can control you, and maybe even physically harm you. After reading this scene, it made me think of the book He's a Stud, She's a Slut by Jessica Valenti. This book talks about all of the double standards women face in the world today, and especially what the term slut means. I think this fit in perfectly with the play because when Lupita was seen as a prostitute, guess who the boss was?..a male. He was the "pimp" but was looked at as powerful and the controller of his women. However, only the girls were looked at as whores, while the male pimp is respected. This play was sarcastic and humorous, but it starts to become not funny when you know this is how the real world is. I think this scene of the play portrayed that without a man, a woman's only option was to be a prostitute, where ironically all she was doing was trying to please men. Women are judged so harshly in the world today no matter what you choose to do. The woman is a whore while the man is a pimp.
This play highlights all sorts of gender issues, but in this scene it is the stereotypes a single woman faces in the world today. Without a man in front of them, women are not taken seriously or respected. I think Castellanos wanted to make it clear how outrageous the life of a single woman is portrayed in the world today. People assume if a woman is 40 and single, she must be miserable; instead of thinking she's perfectly happy without a man. I really enjoyed reading this play and how sarcastic and extreme Castellanos made gender issues.
After the poem, images are flashed across the screen at the hair salon of Lupita at several different occupations as a single woman. The occupations are shown are a teacher in an empty classroom, a secretary typing a blank note and a surgical assistant with no patient to treat. The last thing Lupita seems is a view of the empty street with no children and nothing but a pregnant woman with a shopping bag on her arm. I assumed this to mean that without men, the world would be empty; all men are the ones who go to school, have secretaries work for them and are the doctors of the world. Without men, women would have no jobs because women only work for men. Once again, the play is showing that women are nothing, and can not be anything, without men in their lives and in this world.
Lupita is horrified by the scene she had seen and wanted immediately to take of the wig that made this image. She tries on another wig called "The Soiled Flower." The next vision is of Lupita dressed as a prostitute stumbling upon a lamppost at a street corner. A man approaches her first and starts to inform her on the rules of being a prostitute. Shorty after, a second prostitute confronts Lupita and after a small confrontation, befriends her. The experienced prostitute starts giving her some advice about working and how to please the men. One of the things that stuck out the most to me was when the prostitute told Lupita that even if you are in this job by your own free will, you have to act miserable, weak and vulnerable to your customers. Men are especially pleased when they can control you, and maybe even physically harm you. After reading this scene, it made me think of the book He's a Stud, She's a Slut by Jessica Valenti. This book talks about all of the double standards women face in the world today, and especially what the term slut means. I think this fit in perfectly with the play because when Lupita was seen as a prostitute, guess who the boss was?..a male. He was the "pimp" but was looked at as powerful and the controller of his women. However, only the girls were looked at as whores, while the male pimp is respected. This play was sarcastic and humorous, but it starts to become not funny when you know this is how the real world is. I think this scene of the play portrayed that without a man, a woman's only option was to be a prostitute, where ironically all she was doing was trying to please men. Women are judged so harshly in the world today no matter what you choose to do. The woman is a whore while the man is a pimp.
This play highlights all sorts of gender issues, but in this scene it is the stereotypes a single woman faces in the world today. Without a man in front of them, women are not taken seriously or respected. I think Castellanos wanted to make it clear how outrageous the life of a single woman is portrayed in the world today. People assume if a woman is 40 and single, she must be miserable; instead of thinking she's perfectly happy without a man. I really enjoyed reading this play and how sarcastic and extreme Castellanos made gender issues.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Blog 9
"Women Thrive Worldwide is the leading non-profit organization shaping U.S. policy to help women in developing countries lift themselves out of poverty." This organization focuses on transforming U.S. policy to benefit women nation wide. Since the U.S. is a dominating world power, their policies have an affect on many countries. This organization focuses mainly on the assistant and trade policies to focus more on women and their needs. Women Thrive Worldwide get together with hundreds of other women's organizations to make sure U.S. policy addresses women's rights. Currently Women Thrive Worldwide is working on getting The International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA) to pass. If this act passes, it will concentrate on promoting women's economic opportunity, address violence against girls in school and work to change public attitudes. This act will force the U.S. to make violence against women a diplomatic priority. Almost everything you find on this organization says it is the leading organization shaping U.S. policy. This organization continues to work hard and fight for the rights of women all of the world. It is important the donations keep coming to this organization so they continue their hard work and their fight for women. I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't want to help the poor, starving and abused women all over the world that aren't receiving the rights they deserve. This organization focuses on women because research has shown that women in poor countries give whatever small income they make to feed, cloth and school their children. The mothers are mostly malnourished and aren't keeping any food or money for themselves. This is a gender issue because it is the women who are working in the factories, for example Nike and Reebok factories. After reading the article The Globe Trotting Sneaker by Cynthia Enloe I realized how many women are suffering. I have always heard about factories crammed full of young women who are being paid less than a dollar a day, but I always chose to turn my head the other way. Americans are so spoiled and we choose to be oblivious to the issues going on across the world. I am so disgusted by American's greed, especially big coporations greed like Nike and Reebok. The other thing that bothers me is that won't even admit their wrong-doing. They purposely go to these countries that have no rights for women and build factories there to get cheap production, and when asked about it they say the women should be thankful they have a job. I will definitely be thinking about who made my shoe or whatever clothing item next time I go to buy one.
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