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.
Activism Log #5
Jennifer Smith
Nina Perez
3/20/10
WST 3015
Activism:
I don’t really have much activism to report in this blog. We came back from spring break this week and, unfortunately, I didn’t jump right back into our service-learning project. I didn’t have any contact with my community partner, Rebecca, since she was out of town. I wish I had tried to get in touch with her and found out this little bit of information early this week, since I showed up bright and early Wednesday morning, thinking I was going to enjoy a few hours of activism, only to sit and wait while no one showed up.
Reflection:
The importance of politics and political activism was discussed this week in Seeley’s reading “At The Table.” First Wave feminists fought for and won the right for women to vote and we need to start using that right and use it wisely. Seely encourages people to “elect leaders, of any gender, who support and fight for equality for all”(96). In past chapters we’ve discussed how the fight for equality hasn’t yet been won. The fact that my group and I have discovered the need to include people who don’t fit gender “norms” to a policy that prohibits discrimination proves that. Seely stresses the need to pass a constitutional amendment for gender equality “to ensure that women, men, and GLBTQQI in the United States are afforded full equality under the law” (98). Right now we’re still just trying to protect everyone on our own campus but, hopefully, people will take notice of our cause and we can continue to fight for gender identity and equality.
Reciprocity:
This week I realized that I need to stop being so passive in my activism. If my group isn’t tabling together, then I should get off my butt and collect signatures for our petition on my own. I also learned how important it is to keep contact with my community partner, so I don’t end up uninformed and out of the loop. I’m responsible for my own activism and I think in the past I’ve just waited around for Rebecca to tell me what to do. That definitely changes now. I believe in this cause and I need to start showing it.
Works Cited:
Seely, Megan. "At The Table." Fight like a Girl: How to Be a Fearless Feminist. New York: New York UP, 2007. 93-121. Print.
Nina Perez
3/20/10
WST 3015
Activism:
I don’t really have much activism to report in this blog. We came back from spring break this week and, unfortunately, I didn’t jump right back into our service-learning project. I didn’t have any contact with my community partner, Rebecca, since she was out of town. I wish I had tried to get in touch with her and found out this little bit of information early this week, since I showed up bright and early Wednesday morning, thinking I was going to enjoy a few hours of activism, only to sit and wait while no one showed up.
Reflection:
The importance of politics and political activism was discussed this week in Seeley’s reading “At The Table.” First Wave feminists fought for and won the right for women to vote and we need to start using that right and use it wisely. Seely encourages people to “elect leaders, of any gender, who support and fight for equality for all”(96). In past chapters we’ve discussed how the fight for equality hasn’t yet been won. The fact that my group and I have discovered the need to include people who don’t fit gender “norms” to a policy that prohibits discrimination proves that. Seely stresses the need to pass a constitutional amendment for gender equality “to ensure that women, men, and GLBTQQI in the United States are afforded full equality under the law” (98). Right now we’re still just trying to protect everyone on our own campus but, hopefully, people will take notice of our cause and we can continue to fight for gender identity and equality.
Reciprocity:
This week I realized that I need to stop being so passive in my activism. If my group isn’t tabling together, then I should get off my butt and collect signatures for our petition on my own. I also learned how important it is to keep contact with my community partner, so I don’t end up uninformed and out of the loop. I’m responsible for my own activism and I think in the past I’ve just waited around for Rebecca to tell me what to do. That definitely changes now. I believe in this cause and I need to start showing it.
Works Cited:
Seely, Megan. "At The Table." Fight like a Girl: How to Be a Fearless Feminist. New York: New York UP, 2007. 93-121. Print.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
For Better or For Worst...or until you start getting grey hair
Jennifer Smith
Nina Perez
WST 3015
3/17/10
The show Family Guy is a parody of American culture that takes everyday situations and lets viewers see how ridiculous some people and their actions can be. Its satirical writing also gives people a chance to laugh at some of the unbelievable characters shown in other sitcoms like Everybody Loves Raymond and According To Jim, in which the pretty wives have to deal with less attractive, crude husbands. In shows like these, men don’t treat their wives with respect, but since their spouses are “so in love," they are able to forgive them at the end of each episode.
Megan Seely continuously brings up media’s influence on our society. In “At The Table” she discusses how “women are not in the positions of leadership that would permit them to determine and direct our stories and images in the media” (102). Because of this, women’s lives are often “misunderstood and misrepresented” (Seely 102). In the Family Guy episode “Go Stewie Go," the focus in Peter and Lois’ marriage seems to be on Lois’ age and looks. Peter is rude and insulting, commenting on her gray hair and aging body. Peter has so little respect for his wife and her feelings that he insults his wife around company right in front of her, telling Meg’s boyfriend, “she ain’t what she used to be”(Janetti 3:31).
Lois is so desperate for male approval that after Meg’s boyfriend gives her a compliment, she automatically becomes interested, not caring that he’s her daughter’s boyfriend. It’s crazy that a little bit of flattery from a male affects her so much. Even when she is making out with Anthony later in the episode, she brings up her age and her gray hair; Peter’s words invading her mind continuously.
At the end of the episode, Peter admits that he was only insulting Lois because he was insecure about his own age and appearance. Keeping up with other sitcoms' predictable endings, Lois accepts Peter’s wrongdoing and forgives him for his hurtful behavior. Even though the show is poking fun at American culture, it is still perpetuating the forgiving role wives in sitcoms are given. Hopefully, because of the show’s satirical nature, people realize that, in reality, wives and mothers should be treated with more respect and kindness than on the television shows that depict them.
In this episode of Family Guy the women and girls that are in relationships are all treated badly by their partners. Peter insults Lois, Meg’s boyfriend cheats on her, and Randall treats Julie like a piece of meat. Paula Ettelbrick writes about how marriage is not a path to liberation (320). Although she is discussing marriage in relation to gay and lesbian couples, I think it also pertains to heterosexual couples. If women are going to be treated as secondhand citizens by their partners, maybe they should rethink the option of matrimony.
Works Cited
Ettelbrick, Paula. "Since When Is Marriage a Path to Liberation?" Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: MCGraw-Hill, 2010. 317-20. Print.
Janetti, Gary. "Go Stewie Go." Family Guy. FOX. 14 Mar. 2010. Television.
Seely, Megan. "At The Table." Fight like a Girl: How to Be a Fearless Feminist. New York: New York UP, 2007. 93-121. Print.
Nina Perez
WST 3015
3/17/10
The show Family Guy is a parody of American culture that takes everyday situations and lets viewers see how ridiculous some people and their actions can be. Its satirical writing also gives people a chance to laugh at some of the unbelievable characters shown in other sitcoms like Everybody Loves Raymond and According To Jim, in which the pretty wives have to deal with less attractive, crude husbands. In shows like these, men don’t treat their wives with respect, but since their spouses are “so in love," they are able to forgive them at the end of each episode.
Megan Seely continuously brings up media’s influence on our society. In “At The Table” she discusses how “women are not in the positions of leadership that would permit them to determine and direct our stories and images in the media” (102). Because of this, women’s lives are often “misunderstood and misrepresented” (Seely 102). In the Family Guy episode “Go Stewie Go," the focus in Peter and Lois’ marriage seems to be on Lois’ age and looks. Peter is rude and insulting, commenting on her gray hair and aging body. Peter has so little respect for his wife and her feelings that he insults his wife around company right in front of her, telling Meg’s boyfriend, “she ain’t what she used to be”(Janetti 3:31).
Lois is so desperate for male approval that after Meg’s boyfriend gives her a compliment, she automatically becomes interested, not caring that he’s her daughter’s boyfriend. It’s crazy that a little bit of flattery from a male affects her so much. Even when she is making out with Anthony later in the episode, she brings up her age and her gray hair; Peter’s words invading her mind continuously.
At the end of the episode, Peter admits that he was only insulting Lois because he was insecure about his own age and appearance. Keeping up with other sitcoms' predictable endings, Lois accepts Peter’s wrongdoing and forgives him for his hurtful behavior. Even though the show is poking fun at American culture, it is still perpetuating the forgiving role wives in sitcoms are given. Hopefully, because of the show’s satirical nature, people realize that, in reality, wives and mothers should be treated with more respect and kindness than on the television shows that depict them.
In this episode of Family Guy the women and girls that are in relationships are all treated badly by their partners. Peter insults Lois, Meg’s boyfriend cheats on her, and Randall treats Julie like a piece of meat. Paula Ettelbrick writes about how marriage is not a path to liberation (320). Although she is discussing marriage in relation to gay and lesbian couples, I think it also pertains to heterosexual couples. If women are going to be treated as secondhand citizens by their partners, maybe they should rethink the option of matrimony.
Works Cited
Ettelbrick, Paula. "Since When Is Marriage a Path to Liberation?" Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: MCGraw-Hill, 2010. 317-20. Print.
Janetti, Gary. "Go Stewie Go." Family Guy. FOX. 14 Mar. 2010. Television.
Seely, Megan. "At The Table." Fight like a Girl: How to Be a Fearless Feminist. New York: New York UP, 2007. 93-121. Print.
Activism Log # 4
Jennifer Smith
Nina Perez
WST 3015
3/6/10
Activism:
We finally started tabling this week. On Wednesday I went to the front of the Student Union to join some of Equal’s members and some of my group members on my first official day of petitioning. I was really nervous about talking to strangers, since I’m not the most outgoing person, but I felt a lot more comfortable with my community partner, Rebecca, there. She helped me ease into the role of activist and explained the ins and outs of tabling.
Reflection:
We continued to discuss violence against women in class this week. I was glad some of the readings this week were from the Seely text Fight Like A Girl. I feel like not only is she writing to inform the reader about women’s issues, but also to encourage young feminists to be more active about the issues in their community. In the reading “Fighting Back,” Seely writes that “all people, regardless of sexual or gender identity, should be guaranteed the right to safety” (205). This one statement expresses exactly what my service-learning group is trying to show and teach people. I was happy to see that at the end of the reading, where Seely lists ways of getting out there and making a difference, one of the suggestions happened to be what my group has planned; “host a local forum at your school” (212).
Reciprocity:
Karma bit me in the ass my first week of tabling. I’m someone who usually ignores the students in front of the Student Union, passing out flyers and asking for signatures. I found out just how frustrating it is to get people to give up a moment of their time and listen to what you have to say. Then there are those whose attention I captured. They would ask me multiple questions about what I was petitioning for, just to walk away without signing or even worse, argue about why gender identity shouldn’t be added to the policy. I definitely got a reality check this week and I’ve started to realize just how much work really goes into each political movement. Hopefully I’ll run into more willing people in the next weeks of tabling.
Works Cited:
Seely, Megan. "Fighting Back." Fight like a Girl: How to Be a Fearless Feminist. New York: New York UP, 2007. 185-217. Print.
Nina Perez
WST 3015
3/6/10
Activism:
We finally started tabling this week. On Wednesday I went to the front of the Student Union to join some of Equal’s members and some of my group members on my first official day of petitioning. I was really nervous about talking to strangers, since I’m not the most outgoing person, but I felt a lot more comfortable with my community partner, Rebecca, there. She helped me ease into the role of activist and explained the ins and outs of tabling.
Reflection:
We continued to discuss violence against women in class this week. I was glad some of the readings this week were from the Seely text Fight Like A Girl. I feel like not only is she writing to inform the reader about women’s issues, but also to encourage young feminists to be more active about the issues in their community. In the reading “Fighting Back,” Seely writes that “all people, regardless of sexual or gender identity, should be guaranteed the right to safety” (205). This one statement expresses exactly what my service-learning group is trying to show and teach people. I was happy to see that at the end of the reading, where Seely lists ways of getting out there and making a difference, one of the suggestions happened to be what my group has planned; “host a local forum at your school” (212).
Reciprocity:
Karma bit me in the ass my first week of tabling. I’m someone who usually ignores the students in front of the Student Union, passing out flyers and asking for signatures. I found out just how frustrating it is to get people to give up a moment of their time and listen to what you have to say. Then there are those whose attention I captured. They would ask me multiple questions about what I was petitioning for, just to walk away without signing or even worse, argue about why gender identity shouldn’t be added to the policy. I definitely got a reality check this week and I’ve started to realize just how much work really goes into each political movement. Hopefully I’ll run into more willing people in the next weeks of tabling.
Works Cited:
Seely, Megan. "Fighting Back." Fight like a Girl: How to Be a Fearless Feminist. New York: New York UP, 2007. 185-217. Print.
Activism Log 3
Jennifer Smith
Nina Perez
WST 3015
2/28/10
Activism:
It was kind of a slow week for my activism. We haven’t started to table yet, but I’m glad to say that our project now has its own Facebook page, where people can join up and sign our online petition. My participation this week involved mostly planning and organizing my schedule. My community partner, Rebecca Marques, contacted me and through emails, plans were made to begin tabling and petitioning next week. I’ll admit to being very nervous about asking strangers for their time, but knowing I’m working for a good cause helps calm my nerves.
Reflection:
Our readings this week have been focusing on violence against women and I even did my Discussion Leading on the topic. Since I had to present on subject, I feel like I became a lot more involved in the readings than I normally do. The chapter discussed how much of the reported violence against women is between couples and not reserved only to heterosexuals. “LGBT people are also victims and perpetrators of intimate partner violence, as well as being subjected to intimidation, physical, and verbal abuse, and hate crimes by people outside LGBT communities” (Kirk 258). Another place where violence commonly occurs is on college campuses. It’s disturbing to read and think about how much violence occurs on a college campus and, as a woman, I hate the feeling that I’m not safe in my own environment. It makes me feel even more determined to fight for Gender Identity, knowing that there might be people I know, even friends of mine, who feel less safe than me since they aren’t legally protected.
Reciprocity:
Knowing how important it is to get Gender Identity added to UCF’s nondiscrimination policy just feeds the activism bug this Women’s Studies class has created in me. Now that this cause has it’s own website, I’ve taken the time to invite everyone I know on Facebook to sign the online petition and join us on April 16th for our rally. I hope that in the upcoming weeks I can involve even more people in the fight for equality.
Works Cited:
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. "Violence Against Women." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 257-73. Print.
Nina Perez
WST 3015
2/28/10
Activism:
It was kind of a slow week for my activism. We haven’t started to table yet, but I’m glad to say that our project now has its own Facebook page, where people can join up and sign our online petition. My participation this week involved mostly planning and organizing my schedule. My community partner, Rebecca Marques, contacted me and through emails, plans were made to begin tabling and petitioning next week. I’ll admit to being very nervous about asking strangers for their time, but knowing I’m working for a good cause helps calm my nerves.
Reflection:
Our readings this week have been focusing on violence against women and I even did my Discussion Leading on the topic. Since I had to present on subject, I feel like I became a lot more involved in the readings than I normally do. The chapter discussed how much of the reported violence against women is between couples and not reserved only to heterosexuals. “LGBT people are also victims and perpetrators of intimate partner violence, as well as being subjected to intimidation, physical, and verbal abuse, and hate crimes by people outside LGBT communities” (Kirk 258). Another place where violence commonly occurs is on college campuses. It’s disturbing to read and think about how much violence occurs on a college campus and, as a woman, I hate the feeling that I’m not safe in my own environment. It makes me feel even more determined to fight for Gender Identity, knowing that there might be people I know, even friends of mine, who feel less safe than me since they aren’t legally protected.
Reciprocity:
Knowing how important it is to get Gender Identity added to UCF’s nondiscrimination policy just feeds the activism bug this Women’s Studies class has created in me. Now that this cause has it’s own website, I’ve taken the time to invite everyone I know on Facebook to sign the online petition and join us on April 16th for our rally. I hope that in the upcoming weeks I can involve even more people in the fight for equality.
Works Cited:
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. "Violence Against Women." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 257-73. Print.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Violence Against Women: "Goodbye Earl"
Jennifer Smith
Nina Perez
3/8/10
WST 3015
Violence against women is a major issue in U.S. society. In “Fighting Back," Megan Seely writes about how we live in a society where men are encouraged to see women as property and where violence against women is condoned (187). She states, “We create this reality through our movies, news media, and television shows” (Seely 187). The same holds true for the music we enjoy and listen to. While looking over the songs offered for this assignment, I was shocked and disgusted by some of the options. Most of the songs contained lyrics about beating, raping, and killing women. I finally decided on “Goodbye Earl,” by the Dixie Chicks, since it was one of the few that seemed to have the abused woman fighting back.
In “Goodbye Earl,” Wanda marries local man Earl and, shortly after, he starts beating her. Trying to escape the abuse, Wanda files for divorce and gets a restraining order. Unfortunately, Earl still comes after her and she ends up in the hospital. Wanda’s best friend, MaryAnn, comes back to town and the women make a plan to kill Earl (which is the only way they can think of to get him out of their lives). After killing Earl and escaping the cops’ detection, both women go on with their lives happily, Earl-free.
One of the aspects discussed in the Chapter 6 is the effect class has in violence against women. The chapter talks about how women of color, poor women, and prostituted women are often not included in surveys that ask women about their experiences with violence. Andy Smith is quoted when explaining with “patriarchal thinking, only a ‘pure’ body can be really violated" (Kirk 263). In “Goodbye Earl” everyone is from the country, and Wanda and Earl live in a lower class neighborhood. Being considered a lower class citizen, not “A”, violence committed against Wanda isn’t taken as seriously as it might be taken by someone who falls into the “A” category.
Also discussed in Chapter 6 is discrimination against women in the legal systems, including “inadequate laws and practices concerning violence against women, and insensitive treatment of women by police and the courts” (Kirk 267). In “Goodbye Earl” some of these flaws in our legal system are revealed and the question of how it needs to be improved to better protect women from abuse is raised. In the song Wanda filed for divorce and got a restraining order against Earl, but he just walked right through it (Linde 1.14). Judgments are further made on the cops in the town. They are depicted as bumbling fools, as they search for Earl and never find him.
There is a plethora of songs that depict violence against women, many that, surprisingly, show nothing wrong with the abusers. While I’m happy that the Dixie Chicks wrote a song that shows violence against women as a negative act in which the abuser gets punished, I feel like when you are actually listening to the song, the upbeat melody might confuse listeners and the message of the song might get lost in translation. Hopefully people will start actually listening to the words in their favorite songs and notice how some might depict violence against women.
Works Cited
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. "Violence Against Women." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 257-73. Print.
Linde, Dennis. "Goodbye Earl." Rec. 1999. Fly. Dixie Chicks. Monument, 1999. CD.
Seely, Megan. "Fighting Back." Fight like a Girl: How to Be a Fearless Feminist. New York: New York UP, 2007. 185-217. Print.
Nina Perez
3/8/10
WST 3015
Violence against women is a major issue in U.S. society. In “Fighting Back," Megan Seely writes about how we live in a society where men are encouraged to see women as property and where violence against women is condoned (187). She states, “We create this reality through our movies, news media, and television shows” (Seely 187). The same holds true for the music we enjoy and listen to. While looking over the songs offered for this assignment, I was shocked and disgusted by some of the options. Most of the songs contained lyrics about beating, raping, and killing women. I finally decided on “Goodbye Earl,” by the Dixie Chicks, since it was one of the few that seemed to have the abused woman fighting back.
In “Goodbye Earl,” Wanda marries local man Earl and, shortly after, he starts beating her. Trying to escape the abuse, Wanda files for divorce and gets a restraining order. Unfortunately, Earl still comes after her and she ends up in the hospital. Wanda’s best friend, MaryAnn, comes back to town and the women make a plan to kill Earl (which is the only way they can think of to get him out of their lives). After killing Earl and escaping the cops’ detection, both women go on with their lives happily, Earl-free.
One of the aspects discussed in the Chapter 6 is the effect class has in violence against women. The chapter talks about how women of color, poor women, and prostituted women are often not included in surveys that ask women about their experiences with violence. Andy Smith is quoted when explaining with “patriarchal thinking, only a ‘pure’ body can be really violated" (Kirk 263). In “Goodbye Earl” everyone is from the country, and Wanda and Earl live in a lower class neighborhood. Being considered a lower class citizen, not “A”, violence committed against Wanda isn’t taken as seriously as it might be taken by someone who falls into the “A” category.
Also discussed in Chapter 6 is discrimination against women in the legal systems, including “inadequate laws and practices concerning violence against women, and insensitive treatment of women by police and the courts” (Kirk 267). In “Goodbye Earl” some of these flaws in our legal system are revealed and the question of how it needs to be improved to better protect women from abuse is raised. In the song Wanda filed for divorce and got a restraining order against Earl, but he just walked right through it (Linde 1.14). Judgments are further made on the cops in the town. They are depicted as bumbling fools, as they search for Earl and never find him.
There is a plethora of songs that depict violence against women, many that, surprisingly, show nothing wrong with the abusers. While I’m happy that the Dixie Chicks wrote a song that shows violence against women as a negative act in which the abuser gets punished, I feel like when you are actually listening to the song, the upbeat melody might confuse listeners and the message of the song might get lost in translation. Hopefully people will start actually listening to the words in their favorite songs and notice how some might depict violence against women.
Works Cited
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. "Violence Against Women." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 257-73. Print.
Linde, Dennis. "Goodbye Earl." Rec. 1999. Fly. Dixie Chicks. Monument, 1999. CD.
Seely, Megan. "Fighting Back." Fight like a Girl: How to Be a Fearless Feminist. New York: New York UP, 2007. 185-217. Print.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Discussion Leading
Jennifer Smith
Nina Perez
WST 3015
2/24/10
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. "Violence Against Women." Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th Ed. New York City: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 257-73. Print.
Gwyn Kirk and Margo Okazawa-Rey are the authors of “Violence Against Women” which is the preface to Chapter Six. The reading focuses on violence against women in the United States at the micro, meso, and macro levels, and includes many excerpts from other readings that contribute to Chapter Six.
This reading starts off by asking the question, “What counts as violence against women?” There have been many debates of the exact definition, and the different ideas of what counts as violence against women is discussed throughout this reading. The United Nations Declaration on Violence Against Women of December 20, 1993, defined such violence as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty whether occurring in public or private life” (258). Unfortunately only certain acts of violence are considered punishable by law because the legal system demands demonstrable damage or there is nothing to claim (258).
An important section in this reading is when the effects of race, class, nation, sexuality, and disability are discussed. Children and adolescents, prostituted women, homeless women, women with mental disabilities, institutionalized, very poor women, and women in neighborhoods with high crime rates are rarely included in surveys that look into women’s experiences with violence (263). How can we get a clear image of the number of women affected by violence if researchers ignore a large percentage of them? Some women don’t even report violence against them. Andy Smith is quoted in this reading as noting how in “patriarchal thinking, only a ‘pure’ body can be really violated”(263). These ideas cause some women not to report any violence against them since they don’t fit the “pure” body image and are less likely to be taken seriously.
The body of this reading looks at the explanations of violence against women at the micro, meso, and macro levels. These sections look at how popular culture, news media, and advertisements reinforce and encourage a culture of violence against women. Economic, legal, and political systems are also discussed and how they are connected to the treatment of women.
Ending violence against women is emphasized last in this reading.
Nina Perez
WST 3015
2/24/10
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. "Violence Against Women." Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th Ed. New York City: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 257-73. Print.
Gwyn Kirk and Margo Okazawa-Rey are the authors of “Violence Against Women” which is the preface to Chapter Six. The reading focuses on violence against women in the United States at the micro, meso, and macro levels, and includes many excerpts from other readings that contribute to Chapter Six.
This reading starts off by asking the question, “What counts as violence against women?” There have been many debates of the exact definition, and the different ideas of what counts as violence against women is discussed throughout this reading. The United Nations Declaration on Violence Against Women of December 20, 1993, defined such violence as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty whether occurring in public or private life” (258). Unfortunately only certain acts of violence are considered punishable by law because the legal system demands demonstrable damage or there is nothing to claim (258).
An important section in this reading is when the effects of race, class, nation, sexuality, and disability are discussed. Children and adolescents, prostituted women, homeless women, women with mental disabilities, institutionalized, very poor women, and women in neighborhoods with high crime rates are rarely included in surveys that look into women’s experiences with violence (263). How can we get a clear image of the number of women affected by violence if researchers ignore a large percentage of them? Some women don’t even report violence against them. Andy Smith is quoted in this reading as noting how in “patriarchal thinking, only a ‘pure’ body can be really violated”(263). These ideas cause some women not to report any violence against them since they don’t fit the “pure” body image and are less likely to be taken seriously.
The body of this reading looks at the explanations of violence against women at the micro, meso, and macro levels. These sections look at how popular culture, news media, and advertisements reinforce and encourage a culture of violence against women. Economic, legal, and political systems are also discussed and how they are connected to the treatment of women.
Ending violence against women is emphasized last in this reading.
Activism Log #2
Jennifer Smith
Nina Perez
2/21/10
WST 3015
Activism:
There wasn’t much going on this week. Since we’re working with UCF’s club Equal, my group made plans to attend one of Equal’s meetings. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to join them, because of some previous arrangements, but I hope that I’ll be able to make one in the future. Because I wasn’t able to join my group at the meeting and since we haven’t started to table, I decided to take the free time I had to research more about Gender Identity, to prepare myself so that when I finally begin to ask for signatures, I’m able to better explain our cause.
Reflection:
One of our readings this week was Khan’s “The All-American Queer Pakistani Girl.” In this reading, the author fought her dual identity as both a lesbian and Pakistani. Khan describes how she wanted to fit in better with her surroundings as a child and, in order to achieve this, she “Americanized” herself and rejected her Pakistani heritage (Khan 178). Since Gender Identity isn’t included in UCF’s Non Discrimination Policy, many people are finding themselves in the same position as Khan; hiding parts of themselves in order to fit in. I find it unjust that a transsexual person, or anyone who doesn’t fit into our society’s gender “norms," looking for a job on this campus, can be turned away because there aren’t any rules/laws against it. No one should have to hide his or her true self in order to avoid discrimination.
Reciprocity:
I’m really glad I was able to use this week to further my knowledge on Gender Identity; what it really means, and why it’s so important to fight for Gender equality. Gender Identity doesn’t only cover transgender individuals, but anyone who doesn’t conform to our society’s gender stereotypes. Even though I wasn’t able to meet with my group, I feel like now that I’ve done my research I can intelligently argue my cause. I believe 100% that if you don’t believe in your own cause, then you can’t convince others about the importance of what you're fighting for.
Works Cited:
Khan, Surina A. "The All-American Queer Pakistani Girl." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 178-80. Print.
Nina Perez
2/21/10
WST 3015
Activism:
There wasn’t much going on this week. Since we’re working with UCF’s club Equal, my group made plans to attend one of Equal’s meetings. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to join them, because of some previous arrangements, but I hope that I’ll be able to make one in the future. Because I wasn’t able to join my group at the meeting and since we haven’t started to table, I decided to take the free time I had to research more about Gender Identity, to prepare myself so that when I finally begin to ask for signatures, I’m able to better explain our cause.
Reflection:
One of our readings this week was Khan’s “The All-American Queer Pakistani Girl.” In this reading, the author fought her dual identity as both a lesbian and Pakistani. Khan describes how she wanted to fit in better with her surroundings as a child and, in order to achieve this, she “Americanized” herself and rejected her Pakistani heritage (Khan 178). Since Gender Identity isn’t included in UCF’s Non Discrimination Policy, many people are finding themselves in the same position as Khan; hiding parts of themselves in order to fit in. I find it unjust that a transsexual person, or anyone who doesn’t fit into our society’s gender “norms," looking for a job on this campus, can be turned away because there aren’t any rules/laws against it. No one should have to hide his or her true self in order to avoid discrimination.
Reciprocity:
I’m really glad I was able to use this week to further my knowledge on Gender Identity; what it really means, and why it’s so important to fight for Gender equality. Gender Identity doesn’t only cover transgender individuals, but anyone who doesn’t conform to our society’s gender stereotypes. Even though I wasn’t able to meet with my group, I feel like now that I’ve done my research I can intelligently argue my cause. I believe 100% that if you don’t believe in your own cause, then you can’t convince others about the importance of what you're fighting for.
Works Cited:
Khan, Surina A. "The All-American Queer Pakistani Girl." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 178-80. Print.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
A Look At The Film Pretty In Pink
Jennifer Smith
WST 3015
Jeannina Perez
2/17/10
Stereotypes and myths are a constant in the film Pretty In Pink. One of the major stereotypes included in the film is that all rich kids are mean bullies who don't care about school and only associate with other wealthy kids. Steff is one of those “rich” kids and throughout the film he is insulting Andie, who isn't rich. He refers to her as a “mutant” and even calls her a “low grade piece of ass” (Hughes Scene 11). The only exception to this stereotype is the wealthy Blane, who at the end of the movie decides to ignore what his friends say and admit his feelings to Andie, even though she's poor.
Another more disturbing stereotype in the film is that all women are concerned about are clothes and romances. The women in the film, Andie and Iona, are both concerned about their romances; it seems to be the only thing they ever talk about when they're together. When the women aren't talking about boys, they're talking about fashion. In the film Andie is having family problems and is trying to get a scholarship for school, but instead of focusing more on the other issues in her life, the film pushes them aside to focus on clothes and boys.
The myth of the “noble poor” is also touched upon in Pretty In Pink. In the movie, Andie is living alone with her father in poverty. Her father is jobless and Andie handles the tasks of waking him up and making breakfast for them both. Dorothy Allison writes in “A Question of Class” that “the poverty depicted in books and movies was romantic” and from what I watched in Pretty In Pink I would have to agree (113). Circumstances in which most people would find themselves desperate are played off as minimal since both Andie and her father love and care for each other.
Jean Kilbourne discusses how women are told by advertisements that the “more you subtract the more you add” (234). Kilbourne explains how “the loss, the subtraction, the cutting down to size” not only refers to a women's body, but also “her sense of self, her sexuality, her need for authentic connection, and her longing for power and freedom” (235). This idea is best shown in the movie through Andie’s friend and role model, Iona. Iona is depicted as a free-spirited woman with an unconventional sense of style and a string of failed relationships. At the end of the film, in order to keep a “respectable” man, she's willing to tone down her personality and wear clothes more socially acceptable (Hughes Scene 13). She subtracts what makes her unique in order to be accepted by some guy.
John Hughes, writer of Pretty In Pink, was known for his movies that showed a more “realistic” depiction of middle-class high school life. In what schools are there only white heterosexuals? There isn't a diverse representation of people in this film. There aren't any African Americans, Hispanics or Asians that appear in Pretty In Pink and even the Caucasians that make up the cast only represent a small portion of people in society. The women in the movie are all slender, pretty, and fair skinned, and are either rich or middle class. The men in the film share most of the same physical qualities, with the exception of Duckie, who is smaller than the other guys.
Some people, after seeing a movie like this, might consider it to be a good representation of what kids are like in high school and even a realistic depiction of what is really important to all young girls and women. I think it would be very depressing, as a woman, to have a main goal in life that revolves around finding the perfect man, and very depressing, as a person, to live in a world in which the stereotypes from Pretty In Pink are true.
Works Cited
Allison, Dorothy. "A Question of Class." Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York City: McGraw Hill, 2010. 112-19. Print.
Kilbourne, Jean. ""The More You Subtract, the More You Add": Cutting Girls Down to Size." Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York City: McGraw Hill, 2010. 231-39. Print.
Pretty In Pink. Prod. John Hughes. Perf. Molly Ringwald, Andrew McCarthy, and Jon Cryer. Paramount, 1968. DVD.
WST 3015
Jeannina Perez
2/17/10
Stereotypes and myths are a constant in the film Pretty In Pink. One of the major stereotypes included in the film is that all rich kids are mean bullies who don't care about school and only associate with other wealthy kids. Steff is one of those “rich” kids and throughout the film he is insulting Andie, who isn't rich. He refers to her as a “mutant” and even calls her a “low grade piece of ass” (Hughes Scene 11). The only exception to this stereotype is the wealthy Blane, who at the end of the movie decides to ignore what his friends say and admit his feelings to Andie, even though she's poor.
Another more disturbing stereotype in the film is that all women are concerned about are clothes and romances. The women in the film, Andie and Iona, are both concerned about their romances; it seems to be the only thing they ever talk about when they're together. When the women aren't talking about boys, they're talking about fashion. In the film Andie is having family problems and is trying to get a scholarship for school, but instead of focusing more on the other issues in her life, the film pushes them aside to focus on clothes and boys.
The myth of the “noble poor” is also touched upon in Pretty In Pink. In the movie, Andie is living alone with her father in poverty. Her father is jobless and Andie handles the tasks of waking him up and making breakfast for them both. Dorothy Allison writes in “A Question of Class” that “the poverty depicted in books and movies was romantic” and from what I watched in Pretty In Pink I would have to agree (113). Circumstances in which most people would find themselves desperate are played off as minimal since both Andie and her father love and care for each other.
Jean Kilbourne discusses how women are told by advertisements that the “more you subtract the more you add” (234). Kilbourne explains how “the loss, the subtraction, the cutting down to size” not only refers to a women's body, but also “her sense of self, her sexuality, her need for authentic connection, and her longing for power and freedom” (235). This idea is best shown in the movie through Andie’s friend and role model, Iona. Iona is depicted as a free-spirited woman with an unconventional sense of style and a string of failed relationships. At the end of the film, in order to keep a “respectable” man, she's willing to tone down her personality and wear clothes more socially acceptable (Hughes Scene 13). She subtracts what makes her unique in order to be accepted by some guy.
John Hughes, writer of Pretty In Pink, was known for his movies that showed a more “realistic” depiction of middle-class high school life. In what schools are there only white heterosexuals? There isn't a diverse representation of people in this film. There aren't any African Americans, Hispanics or Asians that appear in Pretty In Pink and even the Caucasians that make up the cast only represent a small portion of people in society. The women in the movie are all slender, pretty, and fair skinned, and are either rich or middle class. The men in the film share most of the same physical qualities, with the exception of Duckie, who is smaller than the other guys.
Some people, after seeing a movie like this, might consider it to be a good representation of what kids are like in high school and even a realistic depiction of what is really important to all young girls and women. I think it would be very depressing, as a woman, to have a main goal in life that revolves around finding the perfect man, and very depressing, as a person, to live in a world in which the stereotypes from Pretty In Pink are true.
Works Cited
Allison, Dorothy. "A Question of Class." Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York City: McGraw Hill, 2010. 112-19. Print.
Kilbourne, Jean. ""The More You Subtract, the More You Add": Cutting Girls Down to Size." Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York City: McGraw Hill, 2010. 231-39. Print.
Pretty In Pink. Prod. John Hughes. Perf. Molly Ringwald, Andrew McCarthy, and Jon Cryer. Paramount, 1968. DVD.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Activism Log # 1
Jennifer Smith
Nina Perez
WST 3015
2/15/10
Activism:
My service-learning group is focused on getting UCF to incorporate gender identity into its Nondiscrimination Policy. This week, my group took the first step in achieving this. On Friday we all met together in the library, where I was introduced to my Community Partner Contact, Rebecca Marques. Rebecca went over what our group was trying to accomplish and explained the steps we were going to be taking in order to fulfill our goal. She told us what jobs needed to be done and asked us what we would be most comfortable doing. Since I’m not the most computer literate person, I decided to start by focusing on petitioning/tabling and getting signatures, which is vital to our project; we need supporters! As our project progresses, I will take on other jobs to help the group.
Reflection:
Meeting with Rebecca and my group really helped me feel like I’m doing something important for my community. Author Megan Seely writes how “activism can easily be incorporated into our daily lives” and, after talking with my group, I wholeheartedly believe this (15). This past week I’ve been talking a lot more, with my friends and to strangers, about the discrimination some people face. I’ve realized just bringing a topic up in conversation can make people question their society and the ways that society can improve to protect all its citizens. Looking at the world around me with “open” eyes makes me realize how my actions and choices affect others around me.
Reciprocity:
I’ve learned a lot this past week from my activism; the most important being that Meagan Seely is right when she says, “Equality is not yet enjoyed by all” and “The fight for true political, social, and economic justice continues” (15). Right now, there are students at the UCF campus who haven’t been promised a safe educational environment, free from harassment and discrimination. Hopefully, my group will be successful and will be able to promise ALL students a safe school environment.
Works Cited:
Seely, Megan. Fight Like a Girl How to be a Fearless Feminist. New York: NYU, 2007. Print.
Nina Perez
WST 3015
2/15/10
Activism:
My service-learning group is focused on getting UCF to incorporate gender identity into its Nondiscrimination Policy. This week, my group took the first step in achieving this. On Friday we all met together in the library, where I was introduced to my Community Partner Contact, Rebecca Marques. Rebecca went over what our group was trying to accomplish and explained the steps we were going to be taking in order to fulfill our goal. She told us what jobs needed to be done and asked us what we would be most comfortable doing. Since I’m not the most computer literate person, I decided to start by focusing on petitioning/tabling and getting signatures, which is vital to our project; we need supporters! As our project progresses, I will take on other jobs to help the group.
Reflection:
Meeting with Rebecca and my group really helped me feel like I’m doing something important for my community. Author Megan Seely writes how “activism can easily be incorporated into our daily lives” and, after talking with my group, I wholeheartedly believe this (15). This past week I’ve been talking a lot more, with my friends and to strangers, about the discrimination some people face. I’ve realized just bringing a topic up in conversation can make people question their society and the ways that society can improve to protect all its citizens. Looking at the world around me with “open” eyes makes me realize how my actions and choices affect others around me.
Reciprocity:
I’ve learned a lot this past week from my activism; the most important being that Meagan Seely is right when she says, “Equality is not yet enjoyed by all” and “The fight for true political, social, and economic justice continues” (15). Right now, there are students at the UCF campus who haven’t been promised a safe educational environment, free from harassment and discrimination. Hopefully, my group will be successful and will be able to promise ALL students a safe school environment.
Works Cited:
Seely, Megan. Fight Like a Girl How to be a Fearless Feminist. New York: NYU, 2007. Print.
Service Learning Proposal
Service Learning Proposal
For Equal
(Formerly G.L.B.S.U. of UCF)
Jen Ackerman
Johana Vanegas
Jennifer Smith
Rachel Miles
Alexandria Bergeron
11 February 2010
Professor Nina Perez
Introduction to Women’s Studies, WST 3015
Community Partner: Equal at UCF
Address: P.O. Box 163245 • Orlando, FL • 32816-3245
Contact: Rebecca Marques
786-271-5382
RMarques@knights.ucf.edu
Equal at UCF Community Profile
Mission Statement:
Equal's mission is to provide a safe environment for students to interact and network with each other, engage in social activities, and develop personal character without fear of discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, and to provide support and resources for students who have experienced such discrimination.
Political/ Social Basis:
Equal's vision is a campus environment where GLBTQ students can feel both a sense of self-worth and pride in their individual diversity and a sense of community and belonging, and where all students can expect to be treated equally, regardless of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Equal strives to educate its members and the university community about sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender issues, and about issues that affect the GLBTQ community and provide opportunities for the personal and professional growth and development of its members.
Equal’s Needs:
To fully utilize the student body, Equal will need all of its volunteers to be active and committed to our vision of equality. To make sure our goals get met, volunteers will have to expect rigorous schedule of deadlines and work. Work will include behind-the-scenes organizing as well as field work of petitioning and tabling.
The following is a proposal to outline the needs, rationale and feasibility for a service learning project to benefit GLBT student body and faculty. The following proposal contains background on the need for and benefits of getting gender identity listed on the Non-Discrimination policy project, an outline of the work I plan to do, the rationale for its inclusion in WST 3015, and a scheduled timeline. This proposal may need to be revised after beginning the project and must be flexible to meet the needs of the both the service learning project and the community partner.
Need for:
Volunteers who are committed to working for a safer campus that protects its GLBT students and faculty. Volunteers will be expected to help in any way possible including: helping promote the event, outreach to other campus organizations to raise awareness, collect signatures, table in front of the union, and do other various technical tasks.
Plan Proposal:
Our plan is to volunteer for Equal at UCF under Rebecca Marques who is organizing the petition and protest of UCF’s Non- Discrimination Policy. As of right now UCF’s Non-Discrimination Policy does not include gender identity under the list of minorities currently covered. We will be tabling, petitioning, organizing and participating in the protest and hopeful addition of gender identity to the Non- Discrimination Policy. This project meets the need of the our Community Partner Equal because one of their goals is to “create a community where gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer (GLBTQ) students and their allies can feel safe, welcome, and proud, where they can interact and grow with out fear of harassment or discrimination.” Presently the GLBTQ community on our campus is vulnerable to abuse and intolerance which is something that needs to be changed immediately.
Women’s Studies:
Since one of the core principles of feminism is the belief in social, political, and economic equality of all sexes and people, we believe as a group that this project completely encompasses the value and ideals of this course. We are fighting for the protection of this minority, so this group of people feels safe under the Non- Discrimination Policy and on our campus. We are hoping that this project results in more awareness of intolerance, specifically for the transgendered, and an education in equality for all.
Action:
This project has already begun with meetings and will continue with persistent planning and organizing. The first steps of the project include off campus out-reach and contacting those in the greater community who could also support us. Initially the five members of this group will be Rebecca Marques’ main group of volunteers. We will work directly under her and assist her with paper work, petition-making, tabling and recruiting. Each of one of us will have different responsibilities including creating and running the website (event page) for our project, collecting and sending our petition sheets and letters to the President of the UCF, organizing and planning the tabling efforts, running and assisting in the actual protest for our cause, and lastly fulfilling recruiting and promoting for the event.
As a group we will be working under Rebecca Marques who is an active Equal member on the UCF campus. We will need to be devoted and very serious about the cause in order to really achieve the equality we are striving for.
Timeline:
1. Event page created February 12th
2. Group Meeting February 15th
3. Petition forms created and distributed February 15th
to members
4. Speak and attend EQUAL meeting February 16th
5. Group Meeting February 19th
6. Group Meeting February 24th
7. Informational video February 26th
8. Video showcase to EQUAL March 2nd
9. Group Meeting March 2nd
10. Newspaper article March 8-11th
11. Group Meeting March 16th
12. Tabling and signature gathering March 1st- April 22nd
13. Emails sent to President Hitt March 1st- April 22nd
14. Group Meeting April 26th
15. Event (petition turn in) Tentative date April 28th
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sexism: Still Alive and In Print
Jennifer SmithWST 3015
2/8/10
Jeannina Perez
In 2007, Dolce and Gabbana released this ad, making me wonder, what on earth were they thinking? This ad, intended to sell men’s clothing (which surprises me, since half the men are barely wearing any clothes), is so blatantly sexist, I’m not shocked the public’s reaction to the ad caused Dolce and Gabbana to pull it shortly after its release.
The only person in this ad who is portrayed as passive is the woman, who is positioned on her back, being held down. The other people in this ad are men who have all been given active positions. One of them is holding down the only woman, while the others stand around and watch. The ad, in my opinion, shows the same image someone might see if looking in on a gang rape. I find it very disturbing and question how far the women’s movement has really come, if the media finds it all right to advertise this picture in today’s society.
If a woman looks at this ad, she’ll see that the only woman in this ad is skinny, white, beautiful, and weak. “This beauty standard is backed by a multibillion-dollar beauty industry that sees women’s bodies as a series of problems in need of correction” (Kirk 208). Women, at any age, have body and self-esteem issues, and seeing ads like this one on billboards and in magazines sends them the message that this “image” of women is what they should strive for. People, mostly young girls, go to crazy lengths to achieve the “look” society finds “ideal.” From crash diets to starvation, eating disorders have woven their way into the fabric of our society (Chernik 602) all in the hope of being ‘beautiful.” Some women might start to question the way men treat them and think they should be treated as inferiors if they want a “good-looking” guy to like them.
Women aren’t the only ones who are affected by this kind of ad. If a man sees this ad or one like it, he might think he should have a toned, muscular body like the men that are shown, and that for a woman to be beautiful, she needs to look like the model in this ad. An ad like this promotes violence against women. Men have ads resembling this one around all the time and start to think it’s acceptable to treat women like the men in this ad do, overpowering and dominating.
In my opinion, this ad is a very negative representation of women. The only woman in the ad is being held down in a submissive position, while all the men around her are standing and looking down at her. The ad implies that women are the weaker sex and can be easily dominated without much of a fight. I don’t think this ad is realistic. I know that I, or any of my friends, look like the woman in this ad and that none of us feel like we are the weaker sex and should be inferior to men or any other person.
Look at the woman in this ad. She isn’t smiling at all, doesn’t seem to have any kind of expression on her face. She almost seems defeated. I don’t think anyone should ever have this expression, or lack thereof, on his or her face, in real life or in an ad. The media needs to take responsibility for what they put out in the world for people to see and society needs to start rejecting these images of women. As long as society accepts the physical and sexual abuse of women, popular culture will prefer women who resemble little girls (Chernik 601).
The only person in this ad who is portrayed as passive is the woman, who is positioned on her back, being held down. The other people in this ad are men who have all been given active positions. One of them is holding down the only woman, while the others stand around and watch. The ad, in my opinion, shows the same image someone might see if looking in on a gang rape. I find it very disturbing and question how far the women’s movement has really come, if the media finds it all right to advertise this picture in today’s society.
If a woman looks at this ad, she’ll see that the only woman in this ad is skinny, white, beautiful, and weak. “This beauty standard is backed by a multibillion-dollar beauty industry that sees women’s bodies as a series of problems in need of correction” (Kirk 208). Women, at any age, have body and self-esteem issues, and seeing ads like this one on billboards and in magazines sends them the message that this “image” of women is what they should strive for. People, mostly young girls, go to crazy lengths to achieve the “look” society finds “ideal.” From crash diets to starvation, eating disorders have woven their way into the fabric of our society (Chernik 602) all in the hope of being ‘beautiful.” Some women might start to question the way men treat them and think they should be treated as inferiors if they want a “good-looking” guy to like them.
Women aren’t the only ones who are affected by this kind of ad. If a man sees this ad or one like it, he might think he should have a toned, muscular body like the men that are shown, and that for a woman to be beautiful, she needs to look like the model in this ad. An ad like this promotes violence against women. Men have ads resembling this one around all the time and start to think it’s acceptable to treat women like the men in this ad do, overpowering and dominating.
In my opinion, this ad is a very negative representation of women. The only woman in the ad is being held down in a submissive position, while all the men around her are standing and looking down at her. The ad implies that women are the weaker sex and can be easily dominated without much of a fight. I don’t think this ad is realistic. I know that I, or any of my friends, look like the woman in this ad and that none of us feel like we are the weaker sex and should be inferior to men or any other person.
Look at the woman in this ad. She isn’t smiling at all, doesn’t seem to have any kind of expression on her face. She almost seems defeated. I don’t think anyone should ever have this expression, or lack thereof, on his or her face, in real life or in an ad. The media needs to take responsibility for what they put out in the world for people to see and society needs to start rejecting these images of women. As long as society accepts the physical and sexual abuse of women, popular culture will prefer women who resemble little girls (Chernik 601).
Citations:
Chernik, Abra Fortune. "The Body Politic." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. Ed. Gwyn Kirk and Margo Okazawa-Rey. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 68-76. Print
Chernik, Abra Fortune. "The Body Politic." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. Ed. Gwyn Kirk and Margo Okazawa-Rey. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 68-76. Print
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. “Women’s Bodies, Women’s Health.” Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. Ed. Gwyn Kirk and Margo Okazawa-Rey. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 207-224.
Picture from:
"GWSS 3102 Fall 2008: Blog #5 Archives." UThink: Blogs at the University of Minnesota. Web. 08 Feb. 2010.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Just A Spoonful of Sugar Helps The Oppression Go Down
When I first think about the women’s rights movement, I don’t immediately jump to the Disney film Mary Poppins, but after watching it and looking at it in connection to the movie Iron Jawed Angels, I can’t help but think about the similarities and differences in the two movies, when it comes to suffragists. The movie Iron Jawed Angels shows some of events of the American women’s suffragist movement during the 1910s and how a group of women, led by political activists, Alice Paul and Lucy Burns, fought for women’s rights and lobbied for the nineteenth amendment, prohibiting each state and the federal government from denying any citizen the right to vote because of that citizen's sex.
The word suffragist has many different meanings in both movies. In Iron Jawed Angels, the women involved in the movement don’t see it as just a word, but as a life choice. They knew that by choosing to associate with the suffragist movement, they would be giving up the path of least resistance and taking up the challenge of obtaining equal rights for women. Since they were fighting for what they believed in, they were proud to bear the name suffragists and held the word in high regard. Unfortunately, not everyone had the same views. People, like President Wilson, in Iron Jawed Angels, thought the suffragists were either radicals or not to be taken seriously. Even some of the American suffragists looked down on England’s suffragist movement and considered them to be too radical. In Iron Jawed Angels, Alice Paul and Lucy Burns were forced to create their own organization, the National Woman's Party, because Carrie Chapman Catt and Anna Howard Shaw of NAWSA (National American Woman Suffrage Association) found their methods radical.
Mrs. Banks, in Mary Poppins, doesn’t take the title of suffragist as seriously as the women in Iron Jawed Angels. She treats it more like a hobby that is only interesting because of the “scandalous” acts the suffragists she’s around perform. She laughs about the way her fellow suffragists sometimes get taken away in chains and doesn’t believe in the movement enough to stand up for it against her husband, who is the self-proclaimed “king” of the home. Megan Seely says, “To support the activism of women around the world and eradicate global gender discrimination, we must start at home.” If Mrs. Banks isn’t willing to risk her husband’s temper by even bringing up women’s rights, how can she expect anyone else to take her seriously?
In Mary Poppins, Mrs. Banks is the only suffragist shown and seems to not take the women’s movement very seriously. She laughingly tells the maids about the antics the women have gotten into, from throwing bricks to chaining themselves to places. While she seems to take an active role in the movement, she makes sure to never wear her women’s rights sash in front of her husband or even bring it up in his presence, since it “infuriates him.” At the end of Mary Poppins, Mrs. Banks even uses her “Votes For Women” banner as a tail for her children’s kite, giving me the impression that Mrs. Banks is giving up on the movement to focus on her family.
In my opinion, the suffragists in the movie Iron Jawed Angels were more dedicated than the ones depicted in Mary Poppins. They were willing to risk their standing in society, their lives, and even their marriages in order to further their cause and achieve a society in which everyone is equal. Their convictions can easily be seen as they start a hunger strike, while being held in jail as political prisoners, and don’t give in, even after numerous force feedings.
I think both movies show realistic representations of the suffragist movement. The movies show the extremes of both ends of the spectrum in the suffragist movement, from not taking it seriously and choosing to be involved only as a hobby, to making it your life’s work and giving up on personal relationships. Iron Jawed Angels shows that, even after deciding to support the movement, people struggled internally with their decisions. Both movies show that it wasn’t only single women who were a part of the movement, but married women who had to choose whether or not to go against their husbands’ views. At the end of Mary Poppins, it looks as if Mrs. Banks has chosen not to continue to be a suffragist, but in Iron Jawed Angels Emily Leighton, the wife of a senator, joins the movement against her husband’s orders and continues to take an active role in the suffragist movement, even after imprisonment and a hunger strike.
The similarities and differences in the movies show the many varied ways people reacted and dealt with the women’s suffragist movement and the difficulties people faced trying to make equality for everyone possible.
Citation:
Seely, Megan. FIGHT LIKE A GIRL: How to be a Fearless Feminist. New York: New York University Press, 2007. 40. Print.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
blog introduction
Hey everybody. My name is Jennifer Smith. I am an 18-year-old freshman from Cooper City, Florida. I am currently undeclared and I'm using my first year to take any class that catches my interest. I decided women's studies was one of these classes because I've always found the subject interesting and my mother insisted I take it when I had the chance. Writing isn't one of my favorite activities, but I hope that this class will help me become a more well-written student; i know I'll have plenty of opportunities to practice with this blog.
One of the reasons this class interested me so much is because I consider myself a bit of a feminist. My view of feminism isn't very radical (you won't see me burning my bra). I mainly believe in equality for all humankind and female empowerment. I'm taking this class even though I know that women's studies isn't all about feminism and both subjects have differences. I think feminism is different from women's studies because feminists focus on equality for women and how to achieve it, while women's studies will focus more on the history of women's position in society and how society has influenced our views of women.I hope by taking this course I will learn more about how women have affected history and how society's views can affect a woman's development. I also hope to become more involved in organizations that serve women and take a step toward making a world free of inequality.
In my opinion, the major differences in gender are based on a society's views and opinions on how each sex should represent themselves. In American society men are seen as masculine beings while women are feminine. There are standards men and women have been raised and taught to uphold throughout history. Each country and society has their own views on gender and how humankind expresses their own individual gender. Our society's attitudes on gender affect almost everything we do in our lives and how people in our society view us.
The truth is gender influences me constantly in my daily life. From what I wear to what I eat, my gender is a constant in helping me decide what to do and choose. As a woman in my society, I've been pushed to care about my appearance and make sure I'm always looking my best. When I wake up in the morning I shower and make sure to shave because in American society it's considered unnatural and gross for a female not to. I put on makeup, take care in choosing the right outfit, and take into consideration whats better for my body whenever I eat. Even when I'm sitting in class I automatically cross my legs since that's the way "girls should sit". Normal bodily functions like burping and farting are considered unladylike even though its a natural occurrence for all humankind.
If I could choose one thing to change in myself as a gendered being, I'd change the ingrained feeling of having to look a certain way inorder to meet society's standards. The media gives women an image of the femimine ideal that no one can reach. I wish society wouldn't spread these expectations.
I have read, understand, and agree to the terms of the course syllabus and the blogging protocols.
One of the reasons this class interested me so much is because I consider myself a bit of a feminist. My view of feminism isn't very radical (you won't see me burning my bra). I mainly believe in equality for all humankind and female empowerment. I'm taking this class even though I know that women's studies isn't all about feminism and both subjects have differences. I think feminism is different from women's studies because feminists focus on equality for women and how to achieve it, while women's studies will focus more on the history of women's position in society and how society has influenced our views of women.I hope by taking this course I will learn more about how women have affected history and how society's views can affect a woman's development. I also hope to become more involved in organizations that serve women and take a step toward making a world free of inequality.
In my opinion, the major differences in gender are based on a society's views and opinions on how each sex should represent themselves. In American society men are seen as masculine beings while women are feminine. There are standards men and women have been raised and taught to uphold throughout history. Each country and society has their own views on gender and how humankind expresses their own individual gender. Our society's attitudes on gender affect almost everything we do in our lives and how people in our society view us.
The truth is gender influences me constantly in my daily life. From what I wear to what I eat, my gender is a constant in helping me decide what to do and choose. As a woman in my society, I've been pushed to care about my appearance and make sure I'm always looking my best. When I wake up in the morning I shower and make sure to shave because in American society it's considered unnatural and gross for a female not to. I put on makeup, take care in choosing the right outfit, and take into consideration whats better for my body whenever I eat. Even when I'm sitting in class I automatically cross my legs since that's the way "girls should sit". Normal bodily functions like burping and farting are considered unladylike even though its a natural occurrence for all humankind.
If I could choose one thing to change in myself as a gendered being, I'd change the ingrained feeling of having to look a certain way inorder to meet society's standards. The media gives women an image of the femimine ideal that no one can reach. I wish society wouldn't spread these expectations.
I have read, understand, and agree to the terms of the course syllabus and the blogging protocols.
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