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.