Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Social Event

"Racism @ RIC" an open forum

The open Forum I attended was phenomenal! There were a lot of comments, statements, and points made that brought out the bottom line of this all in many different aspects. One of the girl's who was running this event, she's an Africana studies major, stated that in a sense, here on campus they want to diminish the Aricana studies major, because when walking into the campus store you see all these jackets, lanyards, sweaters, t-shirts, pants etc, of nursing, biology, psychology, business management, and all, but there has yet to have Africana studies, gender studies, and so forth. Another student, who is an africana studies major as well, speaks on her behalf, that she is not treated equally in these general education classes, and she felt that way because in most of the class discussions, she never got to really voice her opinion; to get her input. Elaborating, she talks about how, black woman are always being over analyzed, because most black people, "dark skins," are well known as racial aggressiveness. Lastly, someone in the audience made a valid point, that really caught my attention, where she believes that some white people believe that black people are always fighting to take their role as a white person, but in reality black people are fighting for equal rights; creating our own standard to be equal. This all makes a connection to the texts, "Oppression," where in a sense, these black women, may be oppressed due to racial remarks being held on campus; and "Combatting Intentional Bigotry and Inadvertently Racist Acts" when Fletcher states himself that racial discrimination still exists, and that people's vocal opinions affect what others think and say; And that's the bottom line to it all.



Short clip of student's on campus, (doesn't specify school's name) voicing their opinion 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HICeVDeP3Ew

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Sunday, December 13, 2015

Midterm Mapping

better late than never...

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ma-_9tI-peIs6PZy9W8GxG-aenWhUrSDov9Q7eBLXnM/edit?usp=sharing


Saturday, December 12, 2015

Blog Post #11

"The Roles of Allies as Agents of Change" by: Andrea Ayvazian  and  
"Combatting Intentional Bigotry and Inadvertently Racist Acts" by: Fletcher A. Blanchard


Blanchard's points were very clear, and he does believe that racial discrimination still exists in our society, or our world. In a sense he is argumentative about it because, in the beginning of the article he states that, "Your vocal opinions affect what others think and say...A series of experiments that I and my students and colleagues conducted demonstrate that racial prejudice is much more malleable than many researchers, policy makers, and educational leaders believe" (605). In fact, Blanchard uses so much power when he makes the statement, because yes it is true, and yes I do agree, racial prejudice is much more influenced than the researchers and the people that make these policies, they have yet to come up with a way of getting racial prejudice banned in fact thrown in the garbage, because WE are ALL equal, whether he's black and she's white, vice versa, we ALL stand on the same levels; which sums where Blanchard is coming from.





Ayvazian then speaks on the behalf of those who are oppressed in today's society, and how there's not many ways to "interrupt" this cycle of oppression. She also did state that, even aiming to make a change and interrupt that cycle, it's definitely not going to be easy, and definitely not something for someone to do independently, she believes that having an Ally is in fact, a great way to start to make changes. Where everyone comes to face these issues, and to take a stand from these experiences to not remain immobilized, take the role of an ally, to help make a difference. Which she mentions, "An ally is a member of a dominant group in our society who works to dismantle any form of oppression from which she or he receives the benefit" (598). 








Blog Post #10

"Sex Wars" by: Ann Ferguson


A very intense article pretty much showing the debate between "two forms of feminists" radical and libertarian feminists, which I personally think that should be the least of their worries because as a feminist, you're trying to make changes for in the women's suffrage movement for equal rights. Now reading the article itself was very confusing, so I decided to look over almost everyone's blog, but Nancy's blog caught my attention, where in a sense she briefly argues about how both liberal and radical make a connection to sex, so regardless there shouldn't be a debate, and as Ferguson says herself, that feminists have the right to choose between an essential and risky practices without fearing of hearing the good and bad things from other feminists.




Blog Post #8

"Cinderella Ate My Daughter" by: Peggy Orenstein

I definitely have to say this was by far the best article I have read among the others. It definitely made a lot of clear points relating to today's society, and definitely made some valid points. Overall the article is based on how the "princess culture" the "disney culture" may or may not have influenced most of the twenty-first century. "She is everything I imagined my daughter would reject (Snow White), would not in fact, ever encounter or even understand if she did, let alone embrace: the passive, personality-free princess swept off by a prince (who is enchanted solely by her beauty) to live in a happily-ever-after that he ultimately controls. Yet there was my little girl, somehow having learned the plotline anyway, blissfully lying in wait for love's first kiss" (12). Pretty long quote, but she made a really good point connecting to rich's article about compulsory heterosexuality. There it is, a 3-year-old, acting out the role of a princess, which in a way may/ may not have an impact on her in the future. Going back, I'm not implying to princesses being bad examples, because there are a few that teach many young ones a valuable lesson, in a sense of showing them to be who they want and choose to be. Such as disney's star, Mulan, where she poses as boy to save China, and Pocahontas who pretty much sacrificed her village to be with the British man she was in love with. Overall the main point, the more mainstream media girls consume, the more importance they place on being pretty, sexy, stay at home mom, etc. Do you. Do what makes YOU happy. Your life results in the way YOU decided to live it.

The Wonderful Zendaya voices her opinion...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma83Ya7ti58




Thursday, December 10, 2015

Blog Post #5

"Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence" by: Adrienne Rich



Reading the article threw me off the main idea every now and then, but as I got further into the reading, and after looking over Orlando's blog, Rich begins to expose where she's coming from when she speaks of "Compulsory Heterosexuality" and "Lesbian Existence." To begin, the whole point that she gets across is that some women in today's society are taught to be heterosexuals and that being lesbianism doesn't exist. Coming to a more clear understanding of some people in today's society who are still getting familiar with people liking the opposite sex. Emma and Orlando also made a good point relating to Disney. Where legit almost every Disney princess meets a guy they fall in love and how this guy has to fight for their love or this guy tries to have some power over a girl. Going back to Lesbian Existence, where Rich stated in the article, "I am concerned here with two matters..how and why women's choice of women as a passionate comrades, life partners, co-workers, lovers, community has been crushed, invalidated, forced into hiding and disguise; and the virtual or total neglect of lesbian existence.."(82). I can honestly say that the women who are passionate for other women disguise and hide themselves because in a way they're pretty much told to shut up, because heterosexuality is so powerful in today's society, it's taken upon movies, t.v shows, soap operas and much more.

Blog Post #9





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Tough Guise/What are little boys made of:

After watching the film and reading the article, I learned many different aspects of male/masculinity. As stated a few times in the film about, feminists mainly focusing on the women's movement, and also in the article, "America has been so focused on girls that we've forgotten about the boys"(157). I could say I have to disagree because, violence is today's main focus on male behavior due to these violence displayed in movies, t.v shows. Through these media, boys are taught at a very young age to not be a, "fag" or "little girl" etc. because that shows lack of power towards anyone. "In order to gain power and control is over a gun or as many as possible; 300 million guns in America; 2/3 older white men own these guns." This was stated in the film by the narrator, elaborating more on it, majority of these gun owners are NOT hunters. Going back to how some men argue about feminists that don't necessarily focus on men issues, it's a lot more realistic when there are men and boys who actually believe that their testosterone rises at an all time high which causes violence. "Approximately 86% of gun deaths are men." Bottom line is, these people aren't violent, they're just developed to today's society in a false masculine way, which I believe has to come to an agreement with the government to redefine the label of masculinity. 


Thursday, November 19, 2015

Blog Post #7

"The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House" by: Audre Lorde


Quotes

This short article brought many different feminist aspects, which had a long lasting effect on me. "For women, the need and desire to nurture each other is not pathological but redemptive, and it is within that knowledge that our real powers is rediscovered" (36). This quote pretty much sums up what was being discussed in this article. Women, who still feel like they need a man to support them, to keep them at ease, is what causes men to take over our powers, leaving them to be undiscovered. That allows us women to not share our differences with the world to make a change, because patriarchy over powers. Us women need to learn that survival is not an academic skill, we have to learn to stand alone regardless of the chatters, cause there will always be chatters, you learn to ignore. We need to start seeking the differences individually in us, so we could convert our differences to strengths. Not only making a difference for women to have their power recognized, but also for women of color and racist feminism. At one point Adrienne Rich stated, "White feminists have educated themselves about such an enormous amount over the past ten years, how come you haven't also educated yourselves about Black women and the difference between us--white and black--when it is key to survival as a movement?" "Women of  today are still being called upon to stretch across the gap of male ignorance and to educate men as to our existence and our needs"(37). Again, why is it that we are not educating us women to women, to help make our differences truly matter, and it's only cause women are oppressed and too well focused more about the "master's concerns." Overall, Adrienne is trying to make a difference for women in the world, trying to seek the differences in many other women to bring it all as one, so that the political can shine the light on these differences to make a change.








                    















Blog Post #4

"USA: The Land of Limitations?" by: Nicholas Kristof

Extended Comments 

Reading this text was a bit confusing. I continued to read further more, being able to get a little better understanding. I took a look at a couple blogs, and I came across one blog that really caught my attention. As I continued to read Romira's blog, I  was nodding my head and agreeing with everything she was saying. I could honestly say that economic inequity is a feminist issue after reading the text and Romira's blog. As Kristof stated in the article that not many people who come from the bottom of the quintile make it to the top of the quintile. Which you see here, the riches become richer as the poors stay poorer. Which brings how Rick wasn't living in a, "land of opportunity," because he wasn't financially stable. Rick had lost his mother at such a young age, whereas his father was, "a professional drunk," which left Rick feeling abandoned along with his younger siblings. He had to take care of his siblings and direct them down the right track, as well as himself. The system definitely tricks people into living, "The American Dream," but in reality its only for the rich to succeed, and honestly Rick definitely was definitely a real life example of being trapped in the system.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Talking Point #3

Generation M : misogyny in media and culture directed by: Thomas Keith


Reflection

While watching this documentary, I was thrown off with what was going on, what was the topic of the discussion, what they mean't and so forth. As the documentary began firing up with all these crazy facts, is when I started making connections and becoming more understanding with what was being talked about. There were a few things that were mentioned and automatically caught my attention for various reasons. The documentary had stated that, media tries to make believe that women are each other's rivals when it comes down to dating a man. So, pretty much women are mean't to fight over a man. I could say that I agree, media does display the rivalry between two women, I've witnessed myself women fighting over men. This was my junior year in high school, where one girl hated my guts, called me out of my name, all because of one reason...a boy who I once dated my sophomore year, whom I also had no connections or communication with. Social media also triggers women/girls are trained to please men, to keep them happy with these, "Female Empowerment," which is the sexuality on a women. Which is how idealized beauty became the topic afterwards. The media sells ideals that aren't attainable, such as models, singers, dancers etc. 80% of young women in California start a diet or has already started one, which is why 8-10 women a year get plastic surgery done because social media has such a huge impact on some people's life, that it literally influences those that strive to be like their idol. This is causing the quest for perfectionists to not go away anytime soon. Lastly, The Pink and Blue Dichotomy, where we are now considered "weak." They had said that, for centuries women were told not to go to college because, "women aren't cut out for it," which baffles me, because now, women are outnumbered by men with graduation rates. You see here, overall this document stated various ways of how women are criticized in an everyday life, whereas some women get influenced with social media. 


Below is a link that briefly goes over what this documentary displayed, but just more detailed. (sorry classmates it's 12 mins. long; but the best 12 mins you'll never regret!)

https://youtu.be/rqmrANg5r6I

Friday, October 16, 2015

Talking point #2

"Oppression" by: Marilyn Frye


Quotes


"Oppression" by: Marilyn Frye

slowly, but surely making progress...


Quotes/Reflection

After reading this text, I truly believe that it is by far my favorite. At first, I was completely lost with where she was going with the word, "oppression". But after I did a few google searches, I came to a better understanding of it. I can honestly say this text made a huge impact in my life in numerous ways. There were far too many quotes that stood out, but I picked a few that really brought out my attention. "If she is heterosexually active, a woman is open to censure and punishment for being loose, unprincipled or a whore. The "Punishment" comes in the form of criticism, snide and embarrassing remarks, being treated as an easy lay by men,..." (175). After coming across this sentence, I questioned myself, Why is that a women is being criticized for doing what most guys do? I'm mind-blown by the stereotypes, it's like why are people even concerned with someone else's life? Doesn't that slow your life down; when you're worried about something that has absolutely nothing to do with you? Then again, answers that will never be truthful. Another quote that stood out and brought criticism to the table, "If one dresses one way, one is subject to the assumption that one is advertising one's sexual availability; if one dresses another way, one appears to 'not care about oneself' or to be 'unfeminine'." So pretty much she's saying that some people, men at that, observes a women's sexual availability by her appearance; the way she dresses. Everyone has there own sense of style, most women have a reason for the way they dress, some just don't. Why can't that be an acceptance? Cause we're in the "bird cage," as Frye mentioned in the text; and no one will ever understand what's like to be in that bird cage, because we're viewed in a microscopic system.








Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Talking point #1

"The F-Word" by: Kristen Rowe-Finkbeiner "Fear of Feminism" by: Lisa Maria Hogeland

Quotes

As I began reading the F-word text, I came across a quote that really caught my attention, "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude, yet the word "sex" was conspicuously omitted"(21).  This is the 15th amendment, stated in the first wave of the woman's suffrage movement. Every women had tried numerous ways to fight for their rights, for an example, Abigail Adams had requested that her husband, John Adams, whom was drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776, to "remember the ladies." This text provides many different aspects of the woman's suffrage movement. Back then, they made it so difficult for women to have the right to vote. Just like the quote from earlier, the 15th amendment was stated, but it didn't pass until 1869 and wasn't officially valid until 1870. Although they passed the rights for women to vote, they continuously gave women of color a hard time to get their votes in. "Although women of all races were legally granted the right to vote, many areas instituted Jim Crow requirements, like poll taxes and literacy tests, specifically intended to keep poor African Americans from the voting booth" (22/23). It was hostile, people like Mary McLeod Bethune, daughter of former slaves president of the NACW, worked so hard and so much to equalize the rights for women; Mainly for African-American women whom didn't have that opportunity.

When I was reading the Fear of Feminism, I was a little confused to where the author was going, and what the definition was to some words. But after doing a little research, I became a little more understanding with the text. Many women don't take after feminism, there's many reasons behind it. Some may do it for personal reasons, whereas others are influenced. "Our public culture in the U.S presents myriad opportunities for women to take pleasure in being women--most often, however, that pleasure is used as an advertising or marketing strategy" (18). This quote brings to the readers attention that most women take after the "women's culture," which is well known for mass media, such as soap operas, talk shows, books etc.  Some women get this way because some men expect so much from a women, and that causes a lot of pressure on someone. That is what causes fear of feminism for certain people, because not many young women nowadays get involved with the public life or careers or even community involvements, kind of like a private life, are those that have damaging consequences.



 

Women’s Equality Day

Friday, September 11, 2015

Hey Everyone!

I am Emely, I am a Sophomore here at Rhode Island College. My major is medical imaging! I actually had originally enrolled in the same course last year, it was an online course. I became a little uncomfortable with the online course, unfortunately having to drop the class. I was pretty upset with the decision, because I was actually very interested in learning more about feminism, but the online course doesn't offer much of the hands-on assignment as it does for the in class course. This definitely explains my excitement for what this class has in-stored for us! Over the summer, believe it or not, I only had gone to the beach three times since May, from then on I worked all summer long, I attended a few gatherings with a group of friends. When I am not in class, I am at either one job or the other, catching up with friends, or just hanging around. This concludes my blog, thank you everyone! I'm really looking forward to this class.