Jennifer Smith
Nina Perez
WST 3015
4/25/10
Activism:
All our hard work made a difference! On the day of our Rally, we found out that our petition was approved. Now we just have to wait until the end of the semester to see if President Hitt will add gender identity to UCF’s Non Discrimination Policy. It feels amazing to be a part of the group that changed the Golden Rule.
Reflection:
In the Gaia Girls’ book, “Enter the Earth,” the main character, Elizabeth, is an environmental activist who uses vandalism to make a change (Welles 304). While reading about her methods, I was disturbed. I thought it sent the wrong message to young readers; that vandalism is the only way to go. I was glad that our campaign was successful, not only because it will protect more students, but also because we didn’t have to resort to vandalism to achieve it. I think that if more young kids hear about success stories dealing with activism, they might participate more in causes that matter to them.
Reciprocity:
Since I’m officially done with the activism portion of my service-learning project, I spent this week just relaxing with my friends. It was while I was having a discussion with one of my out-of-town friends that I realized something. I had been telling him about my classes and mentioned how I had just finished a big project (my activism). He didn’t even know what gender identity was and, when I tried to explain it to him, he told me that transgender and transsexual people shouldn’t be protected, that he didn’t even know why a person would chose to be transgender. I was so completely shocked by what he said. I have been fighting for equality and equal access to protection, trying to convince complete strangers why it’s so important, when someone I’ve known for years holds such bigoted views. It made me realize that, while my group and I have changed the rules/laws on UCF’s campus, it’s only a small step. There is still a reason for me to be active: To open more minds, including my own friend's, to the importance and need for equality.
Works Cited:
Welles, Lee. Gaia Girls: Enter the Earth. White River Junction, Vt.: Chelsea Green Pub., 2006. Print.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Activism Log # 9
Jennifer Smith
Nina Perez
WST 3015
4/18/10
Activism:
This was probably the busiest and most important week in our campaign. We had to have all our signatures turned into Rebecca by the end of class on Wednesday; we had decided early on in our campaign that each individual was responsible for a certain number of signatures. It was also our last week to petition, so I joined most of my group on Wednesday in front of the Student Union for some last minute tabling. I even acquired a very funny and painful sunburn from being outside too long. Later in the week, to prepare for the rally on Friday, I spent a few hours making posters. Since we would have to be silent during the first portion of the rally, I tried to make sure my posters conveyed the point of our silence to the best of my abilities.
Reflection:
During the silent portion of our rally, we each wore taped over our mouths and stayed quite for all the people in our world whose voices aren’t heard. It just happened that our rally fell on the same day as some middle school campus tours. I thought this was a good thing for kids to see, but was actually shocked by how rude and insulting some of the kids were. A few of them even called Alex and me dykes. In class we’re reading Lee Welles’ young adult Gaia Girls’ books. Seeing the way some kids behave makes me hope that somewhere out there are kids reading her books who realize that activism is a good thing. I would hate to think that all young adults have the same feelings about activism as the middle schoolers we saw.
Reciprocity:
Since our rally fell on the Day of Silence, we took the opportunity to create a “Wall of Hate.” This wall was made up of a few poster boards, which during our silence we invited anyone to come up and sign or write anything down someone had said that they considered hateful. I actually signed the wall and was happy to help tear it down after we finally broke the silence. I thought it was a good representation of what everyone in Equal is trying to do; end the cycle of hate and discrimination in our society.
Works Cited:
Welles, Lee. Gaia Girls: Enter the Earth. White River Junction, Vt.: Chelsea Green Pub., 2006. Print.
Welles, Lee. Gaia Girls: Way of Water. White River Junction, Vt.: Chelsea Green Pub., 2007. Print.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Save the Trees
Jennifer Smith
Nina Perez
WST 3015
4/14/10
The movie FernGully is environment friendly movie trying to promote eco- consciousness. Even though the movie serves a good purpose it still has moments that support stereotypes and myths.
We’ve discussed in class the myth that men can only contribute to nature with destruction (Perez 4/7). In the film humans are the destroyers and oppressors of nature but men are the only humans shown actually doing the damage. It’s males that are operating the machinery that is cutting down trees and Zak is the person responsible for releasing Hexxus. Even the big bad Hexxus, who represents all the pollution and toxins that infect nature, is depicted as being male.
The women are they only people who are actually shown to have real power over nature. Crysta and Magi Lune both have the power to make things grow and can communicate with the trees, feeling their pain. Crysta is even able to get the creatures in the forest to listen to her. I think one of the reasons so many films depict women having deeper connections with nature than men might have to do with the fact that women are some times more affected by pollution than men. In our reading “Women and the Environment” the text mentions how “in terms of environment health, women and children show the effects of toxic pollution earlier than men do” (Kirk 536).
Nature in this film is depicted as passive. The fairies (mainly the female) are in charge of protecting and healing the forest while the humans and their machines try to destroy it by cutting down trees and polluting the water and air. FernGully shows how humans have oppressed nature, including the creatures that share the environment with them.
The fairies that live in the forest, that respect and love nature, are shown wearing more primitive clothing similar to what history books show us Native Americans once wore. The fairies clothing included earthy tones and even some garments made out of flower petals, representing things you would see in their environment. This depiction of clothing can be problematic in some ways. In class we discussed stereotypes that exist related to the environment; that by being Native American you automatically have a deeper connection to nature (Perez 4/7). With the humans in FernGully wearing more traditional clothes you would see in society today (pants, shoes, t-shirts, and hats) the movie is feeding into the myth, since they are the ones who seem to not care about the damage they are inflecting on the world.
I was glad that at the end of the film Zak realized how important it is to take care of our world and that humans do have the ability to help keep the Earth alive and healthy. Unfortunately we can’t do it all on our own. In the reading “Rose Moon”, Steingraber asks why “we’re always the ones that have to do the abstaining?” (557). Our government and large corporations need to become more environmentally aware and take steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
This movie was made, not only to entertain children, but also to educate and show people how their actions are affecting and harming the world. Its targeted audience is children, trying to show them early on how to be more eco-friendly so when they grow up they treat the world with love and respect. An important message in this film to remember is that “everything in our world is connected by the delicate strands of the web of life, which is a balance between the forces of destruction and the magical forces of creation and that every living creature has the power of creation” (Kroyer Chapter 18).
Works Cited
FernGully--the Last Rainforest. Dir. Bill Kroyer. Perf. Tim Curry and Robin Williams. Twentieth Century-Fox, 1992. DVD.
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. "Woman and the Environment." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 535-48. Print.
Perez, Jeannina. CL1 117. 7 Apr. 2010. Lecture.
Steingraber, Sandra. "Rose Moon." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 549-58. Print.
Nina Perez
WST 3015
4/14/10
The movie FernGully is environment friendly movie trying to promote eco- consciousness. Even though the movie serves a good purpose it still has moments that support stereotypes and myths.
We’ve discussed in class the myth that men can only contribute to nature with destruction (Perez 4/7). In the film humans are the destroyers and oppressors of nature but men are the only humans shown actually doing the damage. It’s males that are operating the machinery that is cutting down trees and Zak is the person responsible for releasing Hexxus. Even the big bad Hexxus, who represents all the pollution and toxins that infect nature, is depicted as being male.
The women are they only people who are actually shown to have real power over nature. Crysta and Magi Lune both have the power to make things grow and can communicate with the trees, feeling their pain. Crysta is even able to get the creatures in the forest to listen to her. I think one of the reasons so many films depict women having deeper connections with nature than men might have to do with the fact that women are some times more affected by pollution than men. In our reading “Women and the Environment” the text mentions how “in terms of environment health, women and children show the effects of toxic pollution earlier than men do” (Kirk 536).
Nature in this film is depicted as passive. The fairies (mainly the female) are in charge of protecting and healing the forest while the humans and their machines try to destroy it by cutting down trees and polluting the water and air. FernGully shows how humans have oppressed nature, including the creatures that share the environment with them.
The fairies that live in the forest, that respect and love nature, are shown wearing more primitive clothing similar to what history books show us Native Americans once wore. The fairies clothing included earthy tones and even some garments made out of flower petals, representing things you would see in their environment. This depiction of clothing can be problematic in some ways. In class we discussed stereotypes that exist related to the environment; that by being Native American you automatically have a deeper connection to nature (Perez 4/7). With the humans in FernGully wearing more traditional clothes you would see in society today (pants, shoes, t-shirts, and hats) the movie is feeding into the myth, since they are the ones who seem to not care about the damage they are inflecting on the world.
I was glad that at the end of the film Zak realized how important it is to take care of our world and that humans do have the ability to help keep the Earth alive and healthy. Unfortunately we can’t do it all on our own. In the reading “Rose Moon”, Steingraber asks why “we’re always the ones that have to do the abstaining?” (557). Our government and large corporations need to become more environmentally aware and take steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
This movie was made, not only to entertain children, but also to educate and show people how their actions are affecting and harming the world. Its targeted audience is children, trying to show them early on how to be more eco-friendly so when they grow up they treat the world with love and respect. An important message in this film to remember is that “everything in our world is connected by the delicate strands of the web of life, which is a balance between the forces of destruction and the magical forces of creation and that every living creature has the power of creation” (Kroyer Chapter 18).
Works Cited
FernGully--the Last Rainforest. Dir. Bill Kroyer. Perf. Tim Curry and Robin Williams. Twentieth Century-Fox, 1992. DVD.
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. "Woman and the Environment." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 535-48. Print.
Perez, Jeannina. CL1 117. 7 Apr. 2010. Lecture.
Steingraber, Sandra. "Rose Moon." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 549-58. Print.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Activisim Log #8
Jennifer Smith
Nina Perez
4/11/10
WST 3015
Activism:
I admit to being a little lazier this week than usual with my activism, but I didn’t mean to. I was planning on tabling in front of the Student Union, but I showed up on Wednesday and, once again, Equal forgot to not only reserve a spot, but also to inform any of us who planned to table. When I first started this protect I was told I might experience some problems with my community organization, but I didn’t realize how frustrating it would be. I kind of lost my energy to be active after Equal’s letdown. I collected a few signatures, but not as many as I have in the past weeks. Next week is our rally so, hopefully, that will excite me to work harder next week since it will be my last chance to collect signatures and spread word about the rally.
Reflection:
Ecofeminism was the focus of this week’s class discussions. One aspect that we discussed in class was the myth that women are the only ones that can help the environment, that men can only destroy nature (Perez 4/7). While my campaign for gender identity equality might not have a direct effect on nature, it is making a big impact on the environment that people at UCF are living in. I’ve been working with male members of Equal and also collecting the signatures of the male student body. I think it’s important to realize that men do share their own roles in activism, whether it’s making our campus a safer place or protecting our environment.
Reciprocity:
I feel like I let my group and myself down this week by not working as hard as I know I can. I really do believe in our campaign and want to give it my best efforts so it has a better chance of being a success. I think that I should take this weekend to regroup myself and come back next week with my all since it’s definitely going to be a busy and eventful one. I can’t wait to see if all of my group’s efforts made a difference and if we were able to change UCF’s policy.
Works Cited:
Perez, Jeannina. CL1 117. 7 Apr. 2010. Lecture.
Nina Perez
4/11/10
WST 3015
Activism:
I admit to being a little lazier this week than usual with my activism, but I didn’t mean to. I was planning on tabling in front of the Student Union, but I showed up on Wednesday and, once again, Equal forgot to not only reserve a spot, but also to inform any of us who planned to table. When I first started this protect I was told I might experience some problems with my community organization, but I didn’t realize how frustrating it would be. I kind of lost my energy to be active after Equal’s letdown. I collected a few signatures, but not as many as I have in the past weeks. Next week is our rally so, hopefully, that will excite me to work harder next week since it will be my last chance to collect signatures and spread word about the rally.
Reflection:
Ecofeminism was the focus of this week’s class discussions. One aspect that we discussed in class was the myth that women are the only ones that can help the environment, that men can only destroy nature (Perez 4/7). While my campaign for gender identity equality might not have a direct effect on nature, it is making a big impact on the environment that people at UCF are living in. I’ve been working with male members of Equal and also collecting the signatures of the male student body. I think it’s important to realize that men do share their own roles in activism, whether it’s making our campus a safer place or protecting our environment.
Reciprocity:
I feel like I let my group and myself down this week by not working as hard as I know I can. I really do believe in our campaign and want to give it my best efforts so it has a better chance of being a success. I think that I should take this weekend to regroup myself and come back next week with my all since it’s definitely going to be a busy and eventful one. I can’t wait to see if all of my group’s efforts made a difference and if we were able to change UCF’s policy.
Works Cited:
Perez, Jeannina. CL1 117. 7 Apr. 2010. Lecture.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Behind "Enemy" Lines
Jennifer Smith
Nina Perez
4/5/10
WST 3015
Western society has a pattern of dehumanizing its rivals during times of invasion and war. The government uses its power and influence to convince its citizens that our “enemy” is somehow beneath us, less civilized, less cultured, and less deserving. This process of dehumanizing is used as a tool for our military to justify acts that people would normally consider barbaric and inhuman. Just look at some of the atrocities that were performed during the founding of the United States of America. In the article "The Homeland," Gloria Anzaldua describes how after the Battle of the Alamo, where Mexicans were forced to defend their land against the Anglos’ illegal invasion, the white invaders were able to “legitimize the white imperialist takeover,” since they viewed the native Tejanos as “cowardly and villainous” (395). The U.S. might be one of the youngest countries compared to some of the other great nations of this world, but so far its history is riddled with the mistreatment and dehumanization of groups of people Westerners considered to be “other.”
The United States is currently at war with the Middle East and the pattern continues. American people have been convinced, through their government and media, that Iraq is some horrible, backward place to live, especially if you’re a female. Through Riverbend’s blogs, readers are able to hear the truth from someone who is actually living in Iraq. She sifts through the lies and bullshit and tells people what she knows to be true. In her August 28, 2003 blog, Riverbend discusses the myth some people choose to believe that “Iraqis, prior to occupation, lived in little beige tents set up on the sides of little dirt roads all over Baghdad.” Boys would go to school on their donkeys while “girls and women sat at home, in black burkas, making bread and taking care of 10-12 children” (Riverbend 8/28/03). In her blog she writes about how these myths and beliefs are untrue. “Iraqis lived in houses with running water and electricity” and she has a university degree and, before the war, a job (Riverbend 8/28/03).
American society is known for its militarization. Many best-selling video games developed and marketed in the U.S. involve violent scenarios. One example is “Full Spectrum Warrior,” a video game set in an apparently Arab city that was developed by the U.S. army as a training tool for recruits (Kirk 493). Children who play games like this are shown that anyone against our military needs to be killed and destroyed. Our text discusses how “colonial expansion and the quest for control of strategic locations and scarce resources have been a major justification and impetus for military intervention for centuries” (Kirk 508). Riverbend’s blogs discuss the United States' current involvement in Iraq and some of the economic benefits the U.S. stands to gain because of the war. She talks about the extensive damage the war has caused and how, instead of using Iraqi engineers and corporations, the multimillion-dollar job has been given to foreigners, among then Americans.
One of the controversies surrounding Riverbend’s blog is not knowing if Riverbend actually exists and if she is who she claims to be; a woman living in Iraq. In my personal opinion, it doesn’t make a difference. It doesn’t change any of the issues that are brought up in the blog and it doesn’t make the situations discussed any less real. I think it’s just important for people to read this blog and realize that our country isn’t fighting some strange alien beings. Our acts during this war are against human beings. Women, men, and children of all races, religions, and gender are equal and people need to open their eyes and minds to this truth.
Works Cited
Anzaldua, Gloria. "The Homeland: Aztlan/ El Otro Mexico." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 392-98. Print.
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. "Women and the Military, War, and Peace." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010. 493-511. Print.
Riverbend. "The Promise and the Threat." Weblog post. Baghdad Burning. 28 Aug. 2003. Web. 2 Apr. 2010..
Nina Perez
4/5/10
WST 3015
Western society has a pattern of dehumanizing its rivals during times of invasion and war. The government uses its power and influence to convince its citizens that our “enemy” is somehow beneath us, less civilized, less cultured, and less deserving. This process of dehumanizing is used as a tool for our military to justify acts that people would normally consider barbaric and inhuman. Just look at some of the atrocities that were performed during the founding of the United States of America. In the article "The Homeland," Gloria Anzaldua describes how after the Battle of the Alamo, where Mexicans were forced to defend their land against the Anglos’ illegal invasion, the white invaders were able to “legitimize the white imperialist takeover,” since they viewed the native Tejanos as “cowardly and villainous” (395). The U.S. might be one of the youngest countries compared to some of the other great nations of this world, but so far its history is riddled with the mistreatment and dehumanization of groups of people Westerners considered to be “other.”
The United States is currently at war with the Middle East and the pattern continues. American people have been convinced, through their government and media, that Iraq is some horrible, backward place to live, especially if you’re a female. Through Riverbend’s blogs, readers are able to hear the truth from someone who is actually living in Iraq. She sifts through the lies and bullshit and tells people what she knows to be true. In her August 28, 2003 blog, Riverbend discusses the myth some people choose to believe that “Iraqis, prior to occupation, lived in little beige tents set up on the sides of little dirt roads all over Baghdad.” Boys would go to school on their donkeys while “girls and women sat at home, in black burkas, making bread and taking care of 10-12 children” (Riverbend 8/28/03). In her blog she writes about how these myths and beliefs are untrue. “Iraqis lived in houses with running water and electricity” and she has a university degree and, before the war, a job (Riverbend 8/28/03).
American society is known for its militarization. Many best-selling video games developed and marketed in the U.S. involve violent scenarios. One example is “Full Spectrum Warrior,” a video game set in an apparently Arab city that was developed by the U.S. army as a training tool for recruits (Kirk 493). Children who play games like this are shown that anyone against our military needs to be killed and destroyed. Our text discusses how “colonial expansion and the quest for control of strategic locations and scarce resources have been a major justification and impetus for military intervention for centuries” (Kirk 508). Riverbend’s blogs discuss the United States' current involvement in Iraq and some of the economic benefits the U.S. stands to gain because of the war. She talks about the extensive damage the war has caused and how, instead of using Iraqi engineers and corporations, the multimillion-dollar job has been given to foreigners, among then Americans.
One of the controversies surrounding Riverbend’s blog is not knowing if Riverbend actually exists and if she is who she claims to be; a woman living in Iraq. In my personal opinion, it doesn’t make a difference. It doesn’t change any of the issues that are brought up in the blog and it doesn’t make the situations discussed any less real. I think it’s just important for people to read this blog and realize that our country isn’t fighting some strange alien beings. Our acts during this war are against human beings. Women, men, and children of all races, religions, and gender are equal and people need to open their eyes and minds to this truth.
Works Cited
Anzaldua, Gloria. "The Homeland: Aztlan/ El Otro Mexico." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 392-98. Print.
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. "Women and the Military, War, and Peace." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010. 493-511. Print.
Riverbend. "The Promise and the Threat." Weblog post. Baghdad Burning. 28 Aug. 2003. Web. 2 Apr. 2010.
Activism Log # 7
Jennifer Smith
Nina Perez
4/3/10
WST 3015
Activism:
I started this project knowing that a lot of the work I would be doing would be on my own as an individual, and this week I continued do my own part in this campaign. I used the opportunity of having a lot of people in one place at once and talked about my activism in the beginning in each of my classes. My teachers were very helpful and left me take about ten minutes to explain why I was collecting signatures and what gender identity was. I admit being a nervous wreck, but found my fellow students very responsive and collected about two pages of signatures in each class. I was even able to talk about the rally we’ll be holding on the 16th and can’t wait to see if anyone from my classes shows up.
Reflection:
In class this week we read and discussed a few of the readings in our Alice Walker handouts. One reading that really impacted me was actually the poem “Black Mother Women” by Audre Lorde. Lorde is acknowledging her mother (and the generations of women before her) and recognizing the impacts they had on the world. One line in particular really connected back to my own political activism I’m doing today, “I learned from you to define myself through your denials” (Lorde 53). Today we’re fighting for equality and equal protection, but we wouldn’t even be able to do that if it weren’t for the generations of women and men before us that fought for their own voices to be heard.
Reciprocity:
There are only a few weeks left until our big rally and I’m really hoping that I’ve done enough for the campaign to be a success. If we can make it possible for gender identity to be included on UCF’s non-discrimination policy, then maybe in the years to come people will look back and recognize our efforts in the fight for equality. This service-learning project has really affected me more than I thought it would. It’s made me feel proud to be doing something to make this world a better place for everyone.
Works Cited:
Lorde, Audre. "Black Mother Woman." From a Land Where Other People Live. Detroit: Broadside, 1973. 53. Print.
Nina Perez
4/3/10
WST 3015
Activism:
I started this project knowing that a lot of the work I would be doing would be on my own as an individual, and this week I continued do my own part in this campaign. I used the opportunity of having a lot of people in one place at once and talked about my activism in the beginning in each of my classes. My teachers were very helpful and left me take about ten minutes to explain why I was collecting signatures and what gender identity was. I admit being a nervous wreck, but found my fellow students very responsive and collected about two pages of signatures in each class. I was even able to talk about the rally we’ll be holding on the 16th and can’t wait to see if anyone from my classes shows up.
Reflection:
In class this week we read and discussed a few of the readings in our Alice Walker handouts. One reading that really impacted me was actually the poem “Black Mother Women” by Audre Lorde. Lorde is acknowledging her mother (and the generations of women before her) and recognizing the impacts they had on the world. One line in particular really connected back to my own political activism I’m doing today, “I learned from you to define myself through your denials” (Lorde 53). Today we’re fighting for equality and equal protection, but we wouldn’t even be able to do that if it weren’t for the generations of women and men before us that fought for their own voices to be heard.
Reciprocity:
There are only a few weeks left until our big rally and I’m really hoping that I’ve done enough for the campaign to be a success. If we can make it possible for gender identity to be included on UCF’s non-discrimination policy, then maybe in the years to come people will look back and recognize our efforts in the fight for equality. This service-learning project has really affected me more than I thought it would. It’s made me feel proud to be doing something to make this world a better place for everyone.
Works Cited:
Lorde, Audre. "Black Mother Woman." From a Land Where Other People Live. Detroit: Broadside, 1973. 53. Print.
Activism Log 6
Jennifer Smith
Nina Perez
3/27/10
WST 3015
Activism:
I took my own advice from last week and decided to work on my own. I went around the campus on my own and collected signatures and invited people to the April 16th rally. It was actually a lot easier than petitioning in front of the Student Union. Since I wasn’t interrupting people on their way to class, I was able to better explain my reason for collecting signatures and why it was so important we succeeded. Though there were still people who couldn't care less about transgender and gender equality, I was happy to discover that the people willing to stand up for equality by far outweighed the less willing. I also found out that Jen Ackerman, another member of our group, started the PSA for our campaign. I can’t wait to see the finished results and plan to ask her if she needs any help from me.
Reflection:
Our readings this week focus on the globalization and militarization that’s involved in our society. I’ve always thought the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policies the military have for their soldiers are sickening and unjust. “The Pentagon considers homosexuality incompatible with military service, and a series of regulations have precluded lesbians and gay men from serving openly, despite their continuing presence as officers and enlisted personal” (Kirk 501). They don’t mind young men and women dying for their country, unless they happen to have same-sex relationships. I believe that if someone is willing to die for their country, then that country should be willing to protect them and their rights.
Reciprocity:
I definitely took a step in the right direction this week. Megan Seely is always saying that “no act is too small” and I agree and understand that, but I feel like for the first time in this project I really am making a difference (16). I made the decision to go out in my community this week and talk to people, even though I have extreme nerves when it comes to talking to strangers. I decided not to sit around and watch the injustice on my own campus. I can’t wait to continue on this activism journey and see it to the end.
Works Cited:
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. "Women and the Military, War, and Peace." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010. 493-511. Print.
Seely, Megan. "Fight Like A Girl." Fight like a Girl: How to Be a Fearless Feminist. New York: New York UP, 2007. 15-26. Print.
Nina Perez
3/27/10
WST 3015
Activism:
I took my own advice from last week and decided to work on my own. I went around the campus on my own and collected signatures and invited people to the April 16th rally. It was actually a lot easier than petitioning in front of the Student Union. Since I wasn’t interrupting people on their way to class, I was able to better explain my reason for collecting signatures and why it was so important we succeeded. Though there were still people who couldn't care less about transgender and gender equality, I was happy to discover that the people willing to stand up for equality by far outweighed the less willing. I also found out that Jen Ackerman, another member of our group, started the PSA for our campaign. I can’t wait to see the finished results and plan to ask her if she needs any help from me.
Reflection:
Our readings this week focus on the globalization and militarization that’s involved in our society. I’ve always thought the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policies the military have for their soldiers are sickening and unjust. “The Pentagon considers homosexuality incompatible with military service, and a series of regulations have precluded lesbians and gay men from serving openly, despite their continuing presence as officers and enlisted personal” (Kirk 501). They don’t mind young men and women dying for their country, unless they happen to have same-sex relationships. I believe that if someone is willing to die for their country, then that country should be willing to protect them and their rights.
Reciprocity:
I definitely took a step in the right direction this week. Megan Seely is always saying that “no act is too small” and I agree and understand that, but I feel like for the first time in this project I really am making a difference (16). I made the decision to go out in my community this week and talk to people, even though I have extreme nerves when it comes to talking to strangers. I decided not to sit around and watch the injustice on my own campus. I can’t wait to continue on this activism journey and see it to the end.
Works Cited:
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. "Women and the Military, War, and Peace." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010. 493-511. Print.
Seely, Megan. "Fight Like A Girl." Fight like a Girl: How to Be a Fearless Feminist. New York: New York UP, 2007. 15-26. Print.
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