I Am Proud to be an Ally {{Quotes}} Ayvazian

While reading interrupting the Cycle of Oppression: The Role of Allies as Agents of Change by Andrea Ayvazian I came across some quotes I found important:

1.       An ally is a member of a dominant group in our society who works to dismantle any form of oppression from which she or he receives the benefit.

a.       This is a very important definition. To be an ally, you have to be a part of the dominant group to make a difference. That means, for example, someone who doesn’t like gay people is insulting a gay man; angry yelling from another gay man is not going to make such a big difference in the situation. However, in that same situation, a heterosexual man defending the gay man might make the other person think twice.

2.       I use the term “oppression” to describe the combination of prejudice plus access to social, political, and economic power on the part of a dominant group.

a.       I agree with this. I never really thought about the word before this class. Now, I see oppression as people who are not treated and appreciated like the “main” dominant people.  But answer me this, how would this country be without the minorities? What would happen if there was nothing to dominate?

3.       Allies are whites who identify as anti-racists, men who work to dismantle sexism, able-bodied people who are active in the disability rights movement, Christians who combat anti-Semitism and other forms of religious prejudice.

a.       Anybody can be an ally because it’s about standing up for something and doing you best to make a difference. If you can make a difference, to help a child in school stand up to bullies or supports someone’s idea, then do it. 

The Struggle of Being Aware .. {Event #2/Reflection}

Ok.

My mind has been tinted. Formed and shaped into the media’s imagery. Over the years, my mind has come to think that I should be a certain way. Many other girls face, what I’m facing. They feel the way I feel almost daily. I have spent countless hours, looking in the mirror, tear streaks on my face, and a magazine in my hand, asking why. “Why can’t I look like them?” “Why can’t I be as skinny as them?” “Why do I have to be the fat one?”

About a month ago, I went to go see a documentary with a friend in my class. It was about how the media affects men, women and children alike. I was able to share a few laughs with my friend and kept my emotions at bay because I kept myself distanced from what the documentary was saying. I heard it and let it go. It talked about what girls put themselves through because of what society says is perfect. I didn’t want to feel what those girls were feeling; I was in a good place. Soon enough, we had a discussion in class today about media ideology. We were watching a video about the Medias ideology about perfect women.  This one got to me. I couldn't help but shed a few tears because I knew what was happening and I couldn’t do anything about it. I know that I was going to talk about it; talk about how the media kinda sucks, go home and look into the mirror and ask “what is wrong with me? Why am I so fat. Why is my skin so awful? Why am I not tall enough?” This struggle I face, I keep hidden. People around me, who try to get to know me would say I am a very upbeat, happy person, when sometimes behind closed doors, I am not. However, the truth remains secreted.  Sometimes I say that I belong in Hollywood as an actress, because I am so good in acting the part, day after day.  I act happy when deep down, I’m fighting a battle. I still continue to look at myself and compare me to others; to really nice beautiful people. I act the role because I don’t want to be asked questions. Questions like “why don’t you see yourself as beautiful?” or “Why don’t you think positive” or my favorite “Why are you over exaggerating?” I try to avoid those questions because I don’t know how to answer them. I try to avoid them at all cost, even if that means putting a smile on and entertaining the people around me.  Now I’m not saying that I am a negative, isolated person from everyone who stays upset crying in the dark.  I’m just saying that there are times, where I would rather just stay to myself and think.

I call this the struggle of being aware. This is when you know the lies being told to you, but your so stuck in the loop, you can't find a way out. I KNOW these are not realistic women, but somehow, I yearn to be like them. It’s weird but sometimes if feel this way the most when people who are about size 4, 5, 6 tell me they are too fat. HOW DO YOU THINK I FEEL WHEN YOU SAY THAT? Now my mind is saying “at least you’re not as big as me”, but what comes out of my mouth is “No, you look great. Even so, every girl needs her curves *applies smile*.”

           This is something I never really liked to talk about but I know that there are many girls fighting their wars like I am. I just want to say to those girls: Don’t be like me. Don’t think you ugly, because you are not. Don’t think you're fat, because you are not. Don’t think you’re not good enough, because you are. Have the self-confidence I pray for every day. Have the strength to help others feel good about themselves, instead of worse. Don’t think you can’t wear what you want to wear because of what others think because you can. Be beautiful, because you are. Don’t be like me and hide your emotions to put on a show. Don’t let the media control you and tell you,  you are not good enough, because you are good enough to rule the world.  DO NOT DOUBT YOURSELF.

Do not act like me. Be strong, be confident, and be a voice for those who need it. Be beautiful and simply be you.

I’ll get there soon… 

Media Ideology [[Reflection/Connections]]

I have to say, this reading was somewhat confusing for me to understand but one thing I did get out of it was this term: Ideology. But what is ideology? Good question! According to Croteau, ideology has many meanings. But the meaning that is relevant for this subject is “basically a system of meaning that helps define and explain the world and that makes value judgments about that world. Ideology is related to concepts such as worldview, belief system, and values, but it is broader than those terms” (159-160). Croteau talked a lot about the media’s creation of ideology that was surrounded by violence and religion. He said “after the tragic shootings a Colorado’s Columbine High School in 1999, politicians from across the political spectrum focused on violent video games as one of the causes of the violence” (160).he also talked about how the media was blamed for over exaggerating Clinton affair scandal, causing Clinton's almost-impeachment.

 Another thing that Croteau talked about was rap and heavy metal music. Croteau brought up Eminem’s album called The Marshall Mathers LP. I was only seven when I was nominated for Album of the Year, but this caused some hullabaloo in the media because of the rapper’s angry lyrics, and insulting words towards women, gays and lesbians. Croteau also talked about media’s relation to reality.  Croteau states “the question is not whether such media images are “realistic” depictions because analysts of ideology generally perceive the definition of the “real” as, itself, an ideological construction. Which aspects of whose “reality” do we define as the most real? Those that are the most visible? The most common? The most powerful?” I don’t know if this is what he taught when writing this, but what I thought of was something reading class called Cinderella Ate My Daughter. The images we get from the media, that twist and craft young boys and girls minds to what they THINK is perfect. It’s unrealistic but sometimes we cannot help but get sucked into their money making lies. The media puts out things like the hot thin model, the sexy guy models, t perfect house wife and the man of the house. But who are they to “depict the “appropriate” roles of men and women, parents and children, or bosses and workers?”

To me the main point was to be aware of media ideology because what is said can be twist by media, politicians, etc. 

Four More Years! [2012 Election]

Minutes into the final run... and he takes the lead! He’s running, RUNNING and … Oh My Goodness, He won the race! Barack Obama has won the race. That was a close one folks...

It is true Obama has won the Presidency for another 4 years. And let me tell you, this was the loneliest experience I’ve had being a first time voter, but it’s no one’s fault. So to complete my assignment, I kept my eyes glued to the social networks, especially Twitter and Facebook! People, including myself, were getting nervous on the closeness of the race. Romney was ahead at one point and it had people doubting the outcome. At one point someone who voted for Romney made a fun bet with another person who voted for Obama. My Facebook and Twitter were full of hopeful Obama voters and things like “#TeamObama”, “Obama2012”, and occasionally “#Romney2012”. I did have some good laughs with my peers online but my nerves went crazy watching as the candidates receive votes point by point. At the end of the outcome, we went insane with happiness that Obama has won another term. I am also happy, but I do hope (and have faith) that Obama is going to do everything he said he would...

Now for a victory dance: D

To Be or Not To Be Sex Positive, That Is The Question... [[Quotes]]

    Ok so, there were two articles we had to read this week. One from Wikipedia and another from a blog called “the Frisky”.  Even though the Wikipedia article was AWESOME (-ish), I kind of understood the article from “the Frisky” better. She gave 8 ways to be sex positive.  And even though I am a sex animal in waiting, (getting a ring on that finger ;)) and cannot physically relate to what White said, I think she made some important points. Here are 3 of her points to be sex positive:

1.       Stop glamorizing sex: When I read this, all I could think of was the MEDIA and HOLLYWOOD. Back in the good o’ days, sex was meant to be special and with the person you love. Nowadays, it seems like a lot of people are having sex and it means nothing. In the article, White explains this as “talking about your sex life as if it’s better than someone else’s is glamorizing sex, and that doesn't move the dialog forward.” The fact is “glamorizing helps cement the idea that sex all the time should be the goal instead of knowing your desire levels and honoring those.”

2.       Just because it doesn't turn you on doesn't mean it’s wrong: Feet fetish, balloon fetish, and the people who get turned on by the sound if a blender… they exist, believe me. And there’s nothing word with what starts their motors. All because you may feel “grossed out” about how they are feeling doesn't mean that it’s wrong. Something that turns you on may be the weirdest thing ever to the next person, so how are you to judge? White says “Other sex writers have pointed out that using this kind of knee-jerk, personal reaction as a basis for saying something is “wrong” is what has helped keep LGBTQ people marginalized and discriminated against.” Is there a connection being made here? I hope so: Something (or someone) who doesn't turn you on doesn't mean it’s wrong, it means you’re different… Enjoy that

3.       Know Thyself: Know yourself and know your limits. Don’t feel the need to do what other people are doing. White asks questions like “what is this doing for me? How do I feel afterward? How is my sex life impacting other areas of my life?” to see where she stands and then says “Just because you like something sexually doesn't mean it is good for you. Remember, sex positivity is not sexual hedonism.” Liking something sexual is not a bad thing, but too much of a good thing IS a bad thing. 

Ohh Mommy, I Want The Pink Pretty One! [[Argument]]

This author, Orenstein, argues that the simple things we've known like the Disney princesses, the American Girls, fashion, and the colors pink and blue are influencing the minds of our children, and not for the better.

In this article, Orenstein was talking about how she did not tell her daughter the story of Snow White, to find her daughter at a bat mitzvah playing the role of Snow White in a game. She continues to discuss how the Disney princess invaded young girl’s minds. She asks the question of why girls are so into the princesses. I must admit I was a Disney princess fiend (I still have my princess books to this day that I refuse to give to my younger niece). She explains that one, it was a brilliant market idea and that, two, young have a fascination with princesses and how perfect they are. Up until 2009, Mulan (a girl who posed as a boy to fight in the war) and Pocahontas (an Indian princess who defied her father) where the brownest-skinned princesses. They were both beautiful and had very different roles, but when they were marketed, Pocahontas appeared as her did and Mulan wore a traditional kimono. These princesses were loved but not as popular as the traditional Cinderella, Ariel, Belle Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. In the article, she continues by explaining the making of the famous Shirley Temple dolls. She says that these dolls weren't really for a fashion sense, rather a more “give and receive hope” doll. What I mean by this is that Shirley Temple was around on the times of the Great Depression. President Roosevelt labeled her as a savor of hope for the country. It seemed like every family just wanted that piece of hope.

One thing I found interesting is that is an odd twist of things; girls are freer than boys in our society. It’s not so weird to have a “father proud to buy his daughter hot wheels” but then be upset when his son asks for a “tutu”. Nowadays, there are pink everything: pink tools, pink motorcycles, pink bicycles and even pink tractors, but where’s the blue Barbie’s? (and I don’t mean ken)

The main point of this article, I think, is to be aware of the things little girls are interested in. there’s no problem if they love princesses and want to become one, but let’s just hope she want to become one because she want to be perfect. The media and the market’s obsession with girls obsession with dolls and pinkness has become overbearing. I hope that this weight does not stay on top of your girls, and boys, for too long. 

Pink Saris

On Wednesday, October 3^rd, 2012, I went to go see a documentary on a woman named Sampat Pal Devi. Pal Devi is the leader of the “Pink Gang”. In this gang, she brings a certain type of justice to the women on the streets of Uttar Pradesh, India. Pal Devi’s main goal in this documentary was to fight for women (VERY young women) who have been victims of violence in their families.

In India, Pal Devi is considered an activist that woman would come too if they have problems concerning families or marriage abuse. Wherever she is called, she would go and help out the best she can. In her home, she cares for a large amount of women who needed to be rescued from their circumstances.

One thing I noticed from the movie is that obviously, Pal Devi is a very stubborn, strong minded person, who knows what she is talking about. She suffered a child marriage (which many girls are forced into), yet still came out on her own, defending for herself. She has had a very hard youth, which made her even stronger. However, Pal Devi’s boyfriend had confronted her at one point in the movie. He said “your changing and I don’t like it. If you want to be famous, go ahead, leave me out of it. I like being an ant.” After he said this, Pal Devi became very defensive, saying she doesn’t need him; that he doesn’t do anything for her. Later on in the movie, Pal Devi is in tears saying “it’ll [hurt] me if he leaves.” In my personal opinion, Pal Devi resentment to men has put up a wall for her personal relationship.

Conclusion:

Pal Devi challenges the normal traditional way of India, the traditions that state that women are under the control of their fathers, and then their husbands when married.  From my friends Noelle’s blog: “The group stands behind Sampat, as she goes to visit the abusive husbands and beats them with bamboo sticks or lathis, until they promise to stop abusing their wives. The group has also worked very hard to stop child marriages (families marrying their daughters before the age of 18), protest dowry (the money or goods a woman brings to the marriage) and has taught women how to read and write.” This was a very good documentary that I believe any people should see.

Happy Watching!

Umm...Hello? Don't Forget the Boys! [[Quotes]]

While I was reading “What Are Little Boys Made Of” by Michael Kimmel, I came across some quote that got my mind running.

1.      “The Boy Code teaches them that they are supposed to be in power and thus to act like it. The “ruffle in a manly pose,” as Yeats puts it “for all their timid heart.”

a.      In our society, men are thought of as protectors of women. They are the strong defenders for the weak and fragile “home makers”. In my head, it seems every king needs an heir to the throne. That heir happened to be little boys. Boys are taught at young ages not to be emotional and scrawny.  They are taught to withhold all their “girlish” emotions to grow up to be like their fathers, uncles, etc. To me, that is a LOAD of crap. Why do little boys have to hide what they are feelings because society says it makes them look pathetic? Keeping in these emotions often lead to the things boys are known for; violence, anger, depression etc. Boys, and men, should not need to act like unemotional individuals because they do not what to act like women. NOT ALL WOMEN ARE WEAK AND HELPLESS. Showing emotion, no matter what age or gender you are, does not make you any less than the next person.

2.      “Cute blond boys stare at us from the books’ covers, while inside the authors ignore large numbers of boys whose pain and low self-esteem may have to do with insecurities and anxieties that are more economical and politically rooted.”

a.      Every person has felt pain and low self-esteem at least once in their lives. Believe it or not, boys have felt/ feel it too. Boys have appearance issues just like girls do, but no one ever talks about it because they area boys. Some boys stare at the mirror and wonder if they look ok enough, to look normal. Boys suffer pain sometimes, but who would tell. When authors and others write boys as always happy confident human beings, they are telling a big lie. Some boys do not have enough money, financially, to be “swagged out”. Sometimes I just wish every boy and girl can be happy, proud, loved with what they have instead of stressing what they think they need to have.

3.    “Feminist imagine, and demand, that men (and boys) can do better. Feminism offers the possibility of a new boyhood and a new masculinity based on a passion for justice, a love of equality, and the expression of full range of feelings.”

a.      YESSS!!! This quote here sums up how I’m feeling right about now. In my fantasy of new boyhoods and manhood’s, every boy and man (homosexual, straight, black, white, etc.) will be accepted wherever and however. With equality to women and girls, guys and boys can proud display their emotion without a simple passed judgment on their character. However, in this world, it is a fantasy. Nothing is going to be perfect, but something can and/or will change for the better

CRY ON MY FRIENDS! 

Yamato: Something About the Subject Make It Hard to Name {{Reflection}}

In this article, Yamato talked a lot about what people of color go through with racism. She talked a lot about “internalized oppression” because “members of the targeted group are emotionally, physically, and spiritually battered to the point that they believe that their oppression is deserved” (p.1). She talked about 4 different types of racism that people go through.  One that I can relate to is unaware/unintentional racism, where she said that “white people” want to touch her hair. But this is where I split off. I do not think that a person wanting to touch your hair is racism, its curiosity.  Toward the end of the article, she was talking to white allies to people of color. She was telling them “educate you via research and observation rather than rigidly, arrogantly relying solely on interrogating people of color.” She was also telling “people of color, working though internalized racism “to remember always that you and others like you are completely worthy of respect, completely capable of achieving whatever you take notion to do.”

I agree and understand what Yamato is saying here but it’s almost like she’s blaming white people for oppressing people of color or causing us to oppress ourselves. I do agree that race and class go hand and hand. When some people hear “the ghetto” they think of black people. When someone says “the American Dream” they think of a full happy white family. That’s just the way it is… I can relate to this article, somewhat, because I am a person of color. However, I do not feel like I am being oppressed by white people (directly). Maybe it’s possible that something is happening in the general view but personally, I feel respected, and perfectly capable of doing whatever it is I choose to do..

Maybe I’m standing underneath that umbrella…

Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence

The phrases “compulsory heterosexuality” and “lesbian existence” spiked up a lot of questions when I read “Compulsory heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence” by Adrienne Rich. First things first, what does “compulsory heterosexuality” mean? Well, compulsory means required by rule or being obligated. So what Rich was talking about being obligated to be heterosexual. When Rich says “Lesbian existence,” she’s not talking about “where did all the lesbians go?”, she’s talking about why it seems like lesbian, and even gays, are being forced to disappear.

In the reading, Rich says “the lesbian, unless in disguise, faces discrimination in hiring and harassment and violence in the street. Even within feminist-inspired institutions such as battered-women’s shelters and Women’s Studies programs, open lesbians are fired and others are warned to stay in the closet.” I know being feminist does not only mean fighting for women’s rights. Being feminist means fighting for social justice. So wouldn’t being feminist and casting out women because they are lesbians contradicting themselves?  

While I was reading this article, another thought had popped into my head.  Rich says “any theory of cultural/political creation that treats lesbians existence as a marginal or less “natural” phenomenon, as mere “sexual preference,” or as the mirror image of either heterosexual or male homosexual relations is profoundly weakened thereby, whatever its other contributions.”  No one ever goes around telling women that they must be heterosexual and only be attracted to men, but actions are louder than words. People just say about lesbians or gays, “that’s just their sexual preference” (including me), trying to justify something that doesn’t need to be justified.  Rich kind of makes it seems the requirement to be straight was part of male dominance (when she says “the New Right’s messages to women have been, precisely, that we are the emotional and sexual property of men and that the autonomy  and equality of women threaten family, religion, and state.”

The fact of the matter is that lesbianism does exist. Women who are lesbian are no less than women who are straight. When people say that they want to be a feminist and fight social injustice and issues, they have to face the fact that inequality to lesbians, AND GAYS, is a feminist issue. They are people, with emotions, feelings, rights, opinions, and thought. We should treat them like we treat every other human being.  

Economic Inequality

Exended Comments..

How is economic inequality a feminist issue?

This question caught me completely off guard. I never really thought of economic inequality a feminist issue. I knew it existed, but I never thought about its impact. From where I can see, it was human nature to look at someone and assume you know what they are going through, when in fact, we have no clue. You can feel like you can guess their background, current situation and maybe if they had finance problems just by the way they appear. Everyone does it. However, if we all do it, and then told “not to judge a book by its cover”, what are we left to do?

When I went on the PBS website, I was fascinated. And yes, I did go right to the games. By the way I decided to “decorate my living room” I was labeled “middle middle class”. What does that even mean? Well, personally I was glad not to be labeled in the snobby rich class or trailer park. Why, may you ask? Because of how those social classes are labeled. When I finished playing all three games, I decided to read the stories. I was conflicted. In one story, an African American woman and the love of her life where being ridiculed and mocked by their own family because of the person they choose to love. In another, a man decided not to follow the paths of his siblings to become a doctor (what his father wanted). He wanted to do something else, and so he did. His parents never come to visit him.

Back to the question, I think my fellow classmate Jen is right. She says “feminism encompasses those factors which can sometimes determine or limit the accessibility of class for individuals. An eclectic approach must be taken when considering economic equality.”  Feminism is kind of a way of finding equality to all people, not just women. Economic inequality is defined in more than one way; it contains racial, sexist, gender, and obviously, social class concerns. That’s the way its always been , and i doubt it will change.

HERES JEN’S BLOG!!

Romney: "Just Ignore What I Said Before"

Today, I read an article that talked about Mitt Romney and Women’s right issues. According to this article, Romney “wants you to forget all that stuff he said he’d do to advance his anti-choice agenda” (Blog for Choice). But here’s something to think about: Romney was the guy who supported the “personhood” initiative that would ban abortion with no exception for rape or incest. This blogger, Blog For Choice, explained that Romney should be nervous about the 75% of people who oppose banning abortion in the case of both rape and incest. BFC (Blog For Choice) says that Romney CLEARLY wants to hide the fact that the president has a big, HUGE impact on women and their reproductive rights.

This article talks about Romney’s contradictorystatements about his getting rid of Planned Parenthood and his support of getting rid of Roe vs. Wade. The stance this article is taking is clearly and obviously for Obama by the ending comment on the blog “On November 6, we’ll show Romney that we have not forgotten what kind of president he’s threated to be.”

 

Here is a video of Romney changing his views on abortion:

 

You can read this blog by Blog For Chioce HERE

 

 

Defying Oppression.. Connections!

Ok... So I read Oppression by Frye and realized some things. Oppression means to be molded, shaped, stuck, “reduced” or “immobilized”. Women AND MEN are oppressed every day. In the text, Frye says that a requirement put on oppressed people is to smile and act cheerful so that we could be made invisible. If they do not do that, they may be labeled as “mean, bitter, angry, or dangerous” (Frye).  Another example of public oppression is whether a woman is or is not sexually active. If she is, she may face punishment of being called a whore or loose, with a chance of becoming unexpectedly pregnant. She may hide the facts from the people she cares for most because she does not want to face such torment, criticism, snide and embarrassing remarks.  On the other hand, if a women is NOT sexually active, she may be harassed by men who tell her (pressure her) to “relax and let her hair down”, while a being called names like “frigid, uptight, man-hater, bitch, and cocktease” (Frye). But let’s return to the meaning of oppression, shall we…

Oppression means “the feeling of being heavily burdened, mentally or physically, by troubles, adverse conditions, anxiety” (Dictionary.com) or facing “cruel and unjust treatment” (Merriam-Webster). Do you know who else faced oppression?  The women of the 1920s, who fought for their right to vote, faced this problem. When these women marched the streets and picketed the white house for their rights, they were jailed and beaten terribly, where the officers were hoping they would quit from fear of being hurt and jailed again. However, these women did not stay oppressed and cage in. They broke out and fought for what they wanted. This is what you call defying Oppression.

Whats the Difference.. Do You Know? Hyperlinks!

In Privilege, Power, and Difference, Johnson speaks a lot about certain dangerous words. Words people tend to feel a need to defend themselves. Words like white, male, heterosexual, homosexual, and racist. In the book, Johnson says that we, as in ALL of us, are part of the problem concerning difference.  We could also be a part of the solution. However, for the solution to occur, we need to change our state of mind. It’s obvious that some people still believe racism only concerns black people, sexism only concerns women (of all races), poverty are those people’s own fault. Thinking like this is what Johnson explains as “[pretending] we can talk about “up” without “down” or “you” and “them” without “me” or “us””. Johnson uses a Diversity Wheel that “doesn’t say a lot about the individual you know yourself to be, your personal history, the content of your character, what you dress or feel. It does, however, say a lot about the social reality that shapes everyone’s life in powerful ways. Why don’t you try the wheel for yourself here? An example: I am a soon to be 18 year old heterosexual female African American born in the US who is physically able. I have minimal work experience. I’ve never been in the military. I am still continuing my education and my parents are still married. Then, Johnson asks us in his book, to imagine what would if you go to bed one night yourself and wake difference in some way. Whether your gender or sexual orientation changes, you are able or unable to walk or run. How would you feel about yourself? The point was that we are all connected one way or the other. We can be part of the solution to change society’s perception of society. It starts with you.
What would you do if you woke up the opposite sex? Heres what others said!

Heres in interesing video from my classmate Jessica, that talks about homosexuality and society (media).. Enjoy!

Quotes: A Tsunami in History from "The F-Word: Feminism in Jeopardy

Here are some quotes that stood out to me:
1. "It's fair to say that at the end of the first wave of feminism there was still much work to be done for women's equality. Getting the right to vote was the first step, and for many, securing access to a career outside of the house, and pursuing economic independence, was the second" (A Tsunami in History, pg 25)

I found this quote toward the end of the "First Wave: Getting the Right to Vote". This quote means that even though women did get the right to vote, life between men and women still were not equal. The sound of women getting a job outside the house, that did not involve taking care of the children and being a house wife, was still unthought of. However, women were determined to join the workforce and become independent in more ways than one.


2. "We want to express to all women -especially to white middle-class women- the experiences which divide us as feminists; we want to examine incidents of intolerance, prejudice and denial of differences within the feminist movement" (A Tsunami in History, pg 29). 

I found this quote in the middle of the "Second Wave: Our Mothers' Fight". This quote was said to explain to the upper and middle class white women that not every women faces the same kind of inequality. African american women faced inequality with their race and poor women faced inequality with lowre income. they all could be feminist but they are all facing different problems. This quote pertains to the text because two women, Cherrie Moraga and Gloria Anzaldua wanted to "help broaden the dialogue about women of color and feminism" (A Tsunami in History, pg 28). 


3. "It's been suggested that America today lacks a broad-based women's movement because we are in a time of "postfeminism," with the fight for equality and respectful treatment over and done. Yet women still face social and economic inequalities each day..." (A Tsunami in History, pg 32)

I found this quote  in the middle of the "Third Wave: Women Today". In today's time, people think that everything has become equal between men and women because women have come so far (ex: getting any job they want, having the choice to be finacially independent, etc). However, you can still see and hear about stereotypical and sexist remarks and actions. Some people, today, still take advantage of women, which personally, I believe is sad and slighty disappointing. There is no denying that women have made a major contribution to American history but everything is not black and white. Not everything is equal but that may, one day, change.

Argument: Fear of Feminism by Lisa Maria Hogeland

In the beginning of this article, the author, Hogeland, argues that women are afriad of feminism, and they have many reasons to. The question is: WHY? Why do women have a fear of feminism? To understand why women have this fear, we need to know that feminism is. Generally, feminism is "the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men" (Dictionary.com). Hogeland states that women are afriad of feminism because of how others may see them. Some believe that if they were to take on the " feminist identity" (Hogeland),  they would be confronted with subjects some would rather avoid (ex: homophobia, rape/ incest, etc) or they  may be "put out of the pool for many men, limits the options of who they might become with a partner" (Hogeland). The authors main point here is that women are afriad of feminism; becoming a feminist, and they have every right to be (See what I did there?). Feminism " requires  an expansion of self-expansion of empathy, interest, intelligence, and responsibilites across differences, histories, cultures, ethnicities, sexual identities, otherness" (Hogeland). Becoming a feminist is not a bad thing. It can be "transformative, exhilarating, [and] empowering" (Hogeland). So. maybe the real question to ask yourself is: Can YOU be a feminist?
Here is the article if you would like to read it yourself!

Hello People!

Hello everyone! My name is Veronica but I prefer to be called Ronie. I am a Nursing major whose lived in Pawtucket all my life. Over the summer, I read for fun, went out with friends and stressed about starting college. I am taking this Gender and Society class because it is a new topic I'd like to explore. Outside the classroom I like to hang out with friends, read books, text my thumbs away and whatever pops up in my mind. I am a random wierd thinker that likes to see things in many different perspectives. I hope you enjoy my blog and see things through my eyes.
Toodles! :D