This week we looked at two different videos. In The Abortion Divide we had the chance to see the fight over abortion through the stories of four different women struggling with their own unplanned pregnancies. In the other we looked at Hobby Lobby and how the debate between whether private businesses should basically hold this right to be religious. 

I would like to first start with Servine’s post I absolutely loved it not because of the wording but the word people. I think it is important especially in todays times to acknowledge that not just women can get pregnant anyone with a uterus can get pregnant, people. Secondly they are as the post says not impregnating themselves which brings up the debate that so many have had about what preventative measures men could also be bringing to the table. Vasectomies are minimally invasive and completely reversible procedures that men could do or there was a pill that when it came out caused quite a rift. The pill was basically a males birth control pill which would help in preventing pregnancies and the side effects were actually less than what is on so many women’s birth control pills, but there was this sort of outcry from men. Like when vasectomies are brought up for some reason there is so much reluctance and push back. That could be a whole discussion on its own about what stops them is it their machismo(can not think of the word in english), pride, idea of what makes a man who knows. Although they do contribute to the actual impregnating of someone there is then those who will not contribute or do not have the means to. As examined in the documentary there was a woman who knew she would not be able to provide a good life for the child. I think that it takes a lot for someone to even acknowledge that as it can be really easy to have the child despite if whether one wants to acknowledge whether or not the circumstances are not the best weather it be financial, physical, or mental status. What people also fail to notice is the toll this can take on a person it is not a simple decision one just comes too on a whim. If anything there should be more counseling available to these people not only before but after because although statistically it is a very small percentage of women who have reported regretting it even if you do not regret your decision it is still sure to make some sort of impact. Then looking at Haylee’s post it holds so much impact because especially right now where we are seeing more and more these states waging these wars on basically people’s uterus they can say that it is for the fetus but really it is just another power play for control. Someone once told me something that stuck with me which is imagine someone who is brain dead. They still have a beating heart they are lying in a hospital bed and one can actually see them but machines they are hooked up too are what is keeping them alive their brain is dead, there is no brain function. Someone gets the right to decide whether or not to keep them alive. Someone gets to decide whether or not they are disconnected. A fetus does not have crucial co-ordinated brain activity required for consciousness until roughly 24-25 weeks of a pregnancy. There is even another avenue that could be explored that people seem to always ignore which is just how traumatizing birth can be for the people having to go through it especially for people of color. Again a whole other conversation that could be had another time but there have been more studies and people talking about people of color giving birth and mortality rates. 

There is truly no division of Church and State why would one expect there to be in a private business if our government cannot even seem to fully grasp the idea. In my government class the other week we were discussing how I believe it is congress or another that opens the day with a prayer it was written in their schedule which we were viewing online. This is a topic of debate whether or not private businesses should have the ability to as Hobby Lobby basically discriminate or withhold on the basis of religion. It is like the bakery that would not make a wedding cake for a homosexual customer claiming it went against their religious beliefs and there have been several. In an ideal world there would be a clear division, but if our own government seems to fail to even set a clear example I cannot imagine how they expect private businesses to do so.

Reading the article from the Huffpost is a conversation I am familiar with as someone who is half Latina half White. I have always sat in this in between as a kid when at recess and playing house with the others I was assigned the role of the maid every day without fail. I never understood why I was seven. I do remember the day I decided I did not want to play that role anymore and walked away from that group. People have questioned my abilities in English despite being born here and learning English first and Spanish teachers seemed to always expect more from me, but then there was the Latin community. They would point out my accent, many surprised when they found out I was Latin. They would call me “the gringa” normally how it is referred to as an American female. It is hard to feel like you are too white for the Latinx groups but not White enough for the White groups. I feel like I am straddling a line that I can’t stop straddling. I really loved Marios post because it really summed up the stereotypes that so many people of color are saddled with. I like many others are most likely not a stranger to the question of if we are Mexican for some reason that is the assumption many people jump too. There then has to begin conversations of why do these stereotypes exist, what is the root and how can we change the narrative. 

Looking at the Chapter reading identify politics has demonized by American conservatives. A part of the reading that had really resonated with me was the paragraph that begins with all of the things these forces are denying. Health insurance to people with preexisting conditions, deny women the right to decide when and if they reproduce, deny protections to transgender people, and more listed. It is not to say that all conservatives are evil or because you choose to align yourself as one that you are less of a person, think less of people, or anything but it is simply proven through time and time these are some of the issues with which they are against. For example I believe that there should be universal healthcare no matter if you have a preexisting condition or not if you were to decide I want healthcare I believe that one should have the right to choose so. When I first got off my parents plan and moved here to New York at 18 I had trouble getting healthcare. The plans I was being offered were something that was not covering enough of what I needed in the price range that I needed. There are then to consider immigrants in this country. They are given this title of criminal given the name illegals and that they are stealing jobs and criminals. So many do not have access to health care. Furthermore so many do not even have the right to vote in their own cities. Imagine not having a voice in where you live. A conservatives argument is that one should simply go through the legal passages but do not realize how expensive and timely they are. There is this sense of control as the chapter says this controlling of the story of who we are and what makes us who we are as an exercise in power. We should be talking more about our differences without fear it is not something that will divide us. I really loved Osayanmo’s post I think it really spoke to the chapter of the week and the silencing that should be lifted. 

“The feminine mystique says that the highest value and the only commitment for a women is the fulfillment of their own femininity” (The Feminine Mystique, Friedman). 

Shavoya and Vanique both seemed to use similar styles of media in their post which I think really spoke to the feminine mystique. Women had a role and men had another and you were to play the part. Men were to be the breadwinners. Working hard and bringing home money but that was really the sole role they were filling. Maybe a doting husband but not like that was much. Women on the other hand were the homemakers. They cooked cleaned, cared for the children, and did all of this while being expected to look just like the media was depicting them. Perfect hair, dress, pearls. As seen in the feminine mystique this was the women’s role not one they were choosing but one they were given they were meant to for into this little perfect box. They are told who to be and what desires to have.  Even looking at “The Politics of Housework” although it can be said that women have made milestones the division of labor in the home still rest largely on women. In another class of mine we examined statistics showing that women although there were men contributing to the housework they still had more leisure time then women while women although having leisure time did not have as much instead their childcare percentage was higher. Many of men even today I am sure as I have heard them will make some of the claims such as “I don’t” mind sharing the housework, but you’ll have to show me how to do it.” When as the text says they really mean the women will basically end up still doing it every time because they won’t do the job to our “standards”. 

Turning to the myth of the vaginal orgasm I think maybe too many can relate. One of my favorite statements proposed in this text was redefining our sexuality and discarding this idea that is being held onto as “normal”. Instead as the text says it should take into account MUTUAL sexual enjoyment. I believe that first and foremost there should be a better understanding of anatomy especially in sex ed classes. “The clitoris has no other function than that of sexual pleasure” and  “the vagina- it’s functions are related to, the reproductive function”. It is important for all to understand that there is a difference between the two. Shamming people with vaginas for not being able to reach one or for faking them to satisfy their partner is ridiculous. Who are they to judge and guilt people with vaginas into thinking it is unnatural if you can’t reach one solely through vaginal intercourse. This is damaging a women’s view on intercourses now convinced there is no pleasure to be had but is more about just making sure the partners are satisfied. Women feel “broken” because of this and the lack of knowledge about even their own anatomy leaves them frustrated and confused.  

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a short document that carries a great deal of political weight and history. It was written by Alice Paul the founder of the National Women’s party. Today suffrage advocates see their work as remedying the intentional omission of women from the U.S. Constitution.  Although it can be said that women have made significant gain in equality since the 1970s there still could be a profound effect on the law and on American society. Advocates say that this amendment could strengthen the legal basis for combating violence against women, pay inequality and maternity leave.

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory was a horrible incident that lead to the death of a hundred and forty six workers many of the, young women. A fire broke out and escape routes were cut off by doors that were kept locked. Many women decided that jumping was better than dying in the building just so their families could have the chance to claim their bodies. The appalling thought is that although this was almost a hundred years ago there are still places in the world where people, women and children even, still work in these conditions today. 

I like many others am guilty of consuming fast fashion. I wish that I could afford ethically made garments or always find my size in a thrift/secondhand shops. I really loved Allena’s post because I feel that it really speaks to the issue as a whole and sums it up pretty on the head in picture form. The dollar is worth a lot in many other countries at this time and yet these workers are not even being paid a dollar per garment a great deal of the time. They are all working in these awful conditions like the factory all to make what they can to support their families or even just themselves. It is not truly enough to just say everyone will stop buying fast fashion because there is always going to be cause and effect. They will either hire less workers because they do not need as much product or they could even just turn and start selling to another countryThe companies should explore other options such as in this photo they are taking a garment that is not even costing a dollar to make and selling it for fifty. They should consider paying the workers more raising their minimum wage to reflect their hard work. “Minimum wage” is never really enough for most people to live on but if in these countries they were at least providing that then they would be making the job the smallest step in the direction of ethical. Conditions that these people put up with is already crazy just for them to not even be receiving a semblance of fair pay. 

Then looking at the ERA so many have argues that it could not be applied today or what could it possibly do for me today. Looking at Haylee’s post the sign that someone in the crowd is holding says “women weren’t born democrats, republican, or yesterday” and it is so true. Women are consistently fighting for their rights and having an amendment can help them in today’s world especially when entering a court system could greatly benefit them. Feminism is not about being anti men or opposing those women who want to stay at home or those who want to work. Supporting all women and supporting the ERA may not have an affect on a specific persons life but could most definitely have an impact on another woman’s. 

Looking at Caitlyn’s post made me laugh because that is the same face I make when I realize how little time has actually passed. It is always easy to forget that it was not actually that long ago since women did not have the right to vote. Technically speaking yes women gained that right to vote in 1920 but that did not actually grant ALL women the right to vote. Women of color, mainly black women, were actually barred from voting until 1965 when the Voting Rights Act passed. Beginning by looking at the timeline women were only given the right to vote about 100 years ago which when you look at how long men have had the right and how much work and effort women put into this movement then it really is like no time. Think of the beginning of the timeline in 1776 where Abigail Adams goes to her husband and says remember the women and this man actually take sit as a joke saying “all men are created equal”. This right here is the issue men did not see women as being their equal so many can argue that they still don’t even today, but another discussion for another time. As the period of “The Cult of Domesticity” men and women played the roles set out for them. They were following the stereotypical notions going through the motions, but this all changes thanks to so many women and key figures int he movement who inspired even more. 

As I stated most black women were barred from voting until only about 56 years ago. Only 56 years ago peoples grandparents or even some parents did not have the right to vote, but there were pivotal key figures in the women movement. Lyn provided a great picture of some of the key figures in the movement. From Sojourner Truth’s powerful “Ain’t I a Women” speech to Mary Church Terrell Lyn’s post is powerful group of portraits. Truth’s speech was so interesting because she brought up her intersecting identities as a woman and a Black person. Intersection is like straddling a line I feel where you are neither able to fully commit to one or the other you just live on that line. Actually clicking the link and looking a little deeper it was so interesting to find out how Terrell worked to persuade Black men to support the cause after suffragists like Alice Paul sidelines Black women. I think that in today’s day and age at many time people of color are pushed to the sidelines even in issues concerning them which is problematic. I really admire Terrell who used their social standing to push for racial equality and am looking into other ways that I too can use mine to push for racial equality. It can be so easy many times to forget just how not so long ago women gained the right to vote and how privileged we are to be able to do things like go to school, work, and live overall independent lives because not too long ago you could not.