As I was watching the film “ Disclosure” It really got me reflecting on how transgender people are projected in films and how Hollywood has influence and shaped how people view transgender people. It really gets one thinking why did we thought it was ok to make fun and laugh of a film that stereotypes transgender people in the wrong way. 

The film industry Hollywood has been shaping the history  and has given  misrepresentation of how transgender people really are and the way they live their life. Most of the films stereotypes them as monsters, lunatics, sociopaths, violent, serial killer.  With  television having such a big impact they have internalized the idea that trans people are wrong or less worthy and even hate towards them. 

In one part of the film Jen Richards says “ I kind of hate the idea of  disclosure, in the sense that it presupposes that there is something to disclose” explaining that it gives the assumption she has the responsibility to tell others and that presupposes that the other person might have a issue with what has to be disclose. It’s really unfair for Trans people to feel like they have to disclose themselves because people feel like they have the obligation to do so.

Growing up as a kid around 15 years ago I remember seeing men dress as women, I used to ask my mom why was he dress like that. I never really got answer from my mom I’m not even sure she understood or new about Trans people. The first time I heard about Transgender people I was probably around the age fifteen and I fully understood it till I was nineteen when I moved to NYC. After living here for almost six years I have crossed paths with several transgender people and made friend with one, she told me her story and all the process she went through, and all the struggles that they still face today. 

The only person who should be making a choice regarding having in abortion or not are women, it’s their body no one else should be making their decisions for them. Specially not men or institution such as the church. 

 While watching “The Abortion Divide” I couldn’t help but feel frustrated, upset and annoyed about the whole situation how  the protesters stay outside the clinic shaming and trying to persuade women not to get in abortion. 

It’s very upsetting that doctors, nurses and the rest of the clinic staff don’t feel safe and people outside are treating them and at times get violence. Nobody should feel unsafe while doing their job.

In one scene on the documentary theirs this lady who says “that woman simply can’t make moral decisions on their own, the state has to intervene and tell them what to do” I think she goes against everything women have fought for century’s and still are fighting now.  

Women choose to get abortion for many reasons it could be their age, finical stability, health, but at the end of the day it’s their body their choice. They shouldn’t feel they need to explain to others why they are getting an abortion.

 It’s funny to me how most of the protesters outside the clinic are men who have no clue or know anything about the women’s body or about giving birth. If it was the other way around and men were the one getting pregnant nobody would be against abortion clinics. 

The shelter that’s provided to women who are  pregnant and allows them to stay 6 months after they delivered, isn’t the solution to the problem if anything they are just prolonging it. New mother’s need more than just a shelter  to live in they need support system, financial stability. 

The snapshot that Keona Malcom posted reminded me of the protester on the documentary all their talk about god and how you are taking away a live. They should learn to accept and  respect women’s choices.  

I think the women who got the abortion done were very brave and smart they were aware they couldn’t provide everything a child needs. They should not feel ashamed for having goals and dreams they want to achieve.   

The video “untold stories of black women in the suffrage movement” by the KD Hall Foundation was a great way for me to learn a bit more about the suffrage movement and some of the women that made possible this movement and how they contributed . I personally didn’t know who was Ida Wells in how she became part of the alpha suffrage club, how she march in Washington D.C despite being asked to not march in the back. How she launched a campaign to against the brutality of lynching. She had a very hard time losing her parents at a young age and taking care of her brothers and despite all the obstacles she had she manage to go to college is verry impressive, she truly inspires me.  

Looking at the time line and how it took over more then 100 year for women to vote and even more time for black women, really gets you thinking all that women had to struggle and fight for in order to be able to vote today and yet some women today now days  don’t even see how important is to vote and some choose not to.  

Looking at the snapshots most images are of women marching and holding a banner and years later we still go out and march because are rights are continually  being challenge and that we will not be silent and our voices are being heard. 

The article “How To Think Like An Activist” by Wendy Syfret talks about activism as the ability to change communities and lives it requires time and energy. Activism  in this new century were millennials and gen Z  have a huge impact with help of social media. Now days everyone has access to a phone with camera news spread way faster we are able to share content with just a click of a button. 

Syfret mentions that change starts at home and even thought it might not apply to everyone it is important to be able to bring issues in the place you call home with family. Even if you don’t agree with one another like it happens in some families, having your voice heard is important and being able to respect each other’s concerns and thoughts is key.  

The snapshot that Karinys Carillo share where the little girl has a poster that says “ Little girls with dreams become women with vision” really is true. As my personal experience working with children I have seen some very unique kids that I’m amaze how at such young age they have a such a strong opinions on how they think. 

The film girls connected is an example on how some kids in this case 5 girls have such passion for what they believe and stand for. They have made it their mission to help the community they grew up so other girls can have the same opportunities and the chance of a better life. 

They want to create a positive change to younger girls and help them on their journey. All the five girls are a good example of with a mentor should be, at the end of the film one said “its important to stay focus and committed to their dreams”  and I personally find that vey inspiring. 

I wish I had their same commitment and passion I think if everyone can put just a small amount of the same dedication they have we could make big changes.