In Wendy Syfret’s “How to Think Like An Activist”, she states, “When immersing yourself in research, take time to pause and ask: who else is impacted by this issue? If a system of power is oppressive to you, chances are it’s oppressive to others.” (46), in which I felt that this summarizes motivation to participate in activism for oneself as well as others. After reading this excerpt I chose to watch “The Punk Singer: Kathleen Hannah” because I have been a fan of her music for a very long time but I had not had the chance to dive deeper into what motivated her to be part of a feminist punk band and why her lyrics and tone take a specific approach. I am also writing in response to MeiQi’s snapshot as I felt it properly binded the film and excerpt and although it does not have any context it appears to possibly be a protest against rape and for equality in the workplace during the 70’s, judging by the participants style. I think it was interesting how Kathleen took the experiences of others and not simply her own and incorporated that into her music and was not afraid of making people uncomfortable because that was strictly the reality of situations in which women unintentionally find themselves because of the violence that men act on. Bikini Kill’s infamous “Rebel Girl” is a great representation of what women can do if one, if all, stand up for one another. Kathleen sings, “when she talks, I hear the revolution / In her hips, there’s revolution /  when she walks, the revolution’s coming.” and not only was her music inclusive of others stories but her idea to allow women to create zines under “Riot Grrrl” also shows that she was not singing for just herself or her friends but for anyone that could relate to these experiences.

Syfret mentions the concept of difference and diversity serving as a force of unity and as presented through Kathleen’s efforts as well as the efforts of the women in protest in MeiQi’s snapshot, a visual representation of what this can look like. Syfret also mentions the concept of Inclusivity and research because although women may share the same oppressions, the differences in race and socio-economic status plays a role on a more personal level as someone from a lower class may not have access to the same aid and resources that someone from a higher class may have. Kathleen’s transition from bands like Bikini Kill to Le Tigre did not stop her from sending the same message and speaking out for the truths that many women would rather keep to themselves out of fear because society still operates under a level of male domination. In Le Tigre’s “Deceptacon”, Kathleen asks the public to “depoliticize her rhyme” as her participation was oftentimes not taken seriously because of the simple fact that she is a woman and the punk scene was generally a space for men due to the violence but this resonates with today as woman have had to endlessly protest for their human and political rights but have been dismissed because of their gender.

Krysten’s snapshot takes a lighter tone on forces of oppression that are experienced by women but more specifically, women of color. Both excerpts, “Oppression” by Marilyn Frye and “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” by Peggy McIntosh, speak on experiences that women may experience due to oppressive forces such as men having a societal advantage and socio-economic status but McIntosh speaks on the differences that race has despite women sharing the same oppressions. My approach on Krysten’s snapshot is that it can be related to both excerpts in the sense that white women have the ability to adjust themselves in order to make life much more tolerable, safe, and welcoming of them. On the other hand, women of color often have to shrink themselves and adjust or assimilate to what is socially acceptable to the white western norms, in order to facilitate their life experiences. It depicts the difference between what a white woman can get away with and what a woman of color cannot get away with, despite the hair style, in this case, being a part of their culture. White women have the privilege, the opportunity to reap the benefits of what it means to be white. As McIntosh expresses, “My skin color was an asset for any move I was educated to want to make. I could think of myself as belonging in major ways, and of making social systems work for me.”, supporting the argument that white women can in fact make changes that will benefit them. It also supports the argument that women of color do not have the luxury of speaking up for their own comfort and expecting benefits with such ease. I think this also leads to a level of insensitivity from society which again creates that barrier that exists within race, despite sharing oppressors and oppressions.

Now this is not to dismiss the oppression that all women experience, but making space for others to speak up and receive, rather than simply hope for, the same benefits is necessary. Just as Frye states, “Women are oppressed, as women… But men are not oppressed as men.”. I think it takes a level of noticing that men and women who benefit from oppressive factors need to be called out on their actions, such as cultural appropriation, so that they are conscious of what they have done. I also think this division between women is interesting because these norms and standards are set in place not just by western culture but by men as well, men who actively seek to remain in power. In Krysten’s snapshot, @symone_bee receives a comment from @avocadobaby stating, “That looks… unprofessional” and we can question why it would look unprofessional for @symone_bee but “so good” on @emily_rose, and again this is due to the standard set in most workplaces which are set up by men. Part of owning up to one’s actions includes educating oneself just like McIntosh does in expressing her privilege and all ways being white has benefitted her.

The first time I heard of the term that is utilized as the title of this image was when I was in middle school during a class reading of “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” by Mildred D. Taylor but it was used as an insult. To my knowledge, it remains a derogatory term but the image itself is open to interpretation and not necessarily tied to its title. In response to Safiya’s post, this painting reminds me of Menon’s text in which they state,  “I do not have the luxury of being. I am only seen as doing. As if my gender is something that is being done to them and not something that belongs to me” (Beyond the Gender Binary, 16) because this image seems to be painted through the eyes of the observer, instead of being depicted through the individual’s experience as they discover their identity. There also appears to be some sort of expression being represented through the colors that were utilized for this painting. The black that remains between the masculine and feminine representations can be interpreted as the oppressions that keep the two from being able to blend in socially “acceptable” ways and so one is forced to be one or the other because society constantly fights to keep its norms because it is what feels safe to those who have the power of sticking to what has been assigned. It is the misinterpretation as well as misinformation of what it means to be non-binary that does not allow the concept to flourish. Menon states, “The scrutiny of our bodies distracts us from what’s really going on here: control. The emphasis on our appearance distracts us from the real focus: power.” (17), expressing that although there are greater oppressors to focus on, the focus is placed on an individual’s identity.

The colors on the other hand appear to represent a sense of liberation in oneself and because it is a journey of self discovery that is not linear, the colors of each individual represented in this painting remains incomplete. Going back to the term that was chosen as the title of this painting, I think in a way, it reflects the forces of oppression that a non-binary individual faces because it is a derogatory label, in the same way that these forces serve as a form of degradation and dismissal. This dismissal of an individual’s personal experiences and the yearning to have a control over prevents an individual from fully developing themselves into who they are. Menon states, “This is not about erasing men and women but rather acknowledging that man and woman are two of many–stars in a constellation that do not compete but amplify one another’s shine.” (60), in response to the forces of oppression as well as fear from those who wish to remain within societal norms. I think this split in society is also represented through the backgrounds chosen in the painting, possibly with hopes of one day blending with acceptance, like the numerous cultures, such as the Native American culture, in which gender is not fixated on simply male and female. One more thing that I would like the point out within this painting is that lack of facial features for the two people, which in a sense could support the idea that masculine and feminine features do not have to be represented in any particular form.

I find Jaisley’s choice in this snapshot quite interesting because it is open for interpretation, with support from the texts, including the lead on the term “patriarchy” serving as the roots of a sprouting tree. As seen in Allan Johnson’s, “The Gender Knot: Unraveling Our Patriarchal Legacy”, it is clear that patriarchy is something deeply rooted into society, in which we find other branches within society that are affected by patriarchy, although not directly affiliated with one another. Just as in Audre Lorde’s, “There Is No Hierarchy of Oppressions”, they explain that “any attack against lesbians and gays is a Black issue, because thousands of lesbians and gay men are Black.”, supporting the idea that direct affiliation is not necessary because it negatively affects both categories. The branches in this snapshot also bring the word “intertwined” to my mind and that is because all categories that create the identity of an individual become one and can be either faced with the oppression that a patriarchal society holds or can either find themselves at an advantage. The boldness in the red color also stands out to me in a way that reflects the evil and harm that comes with keeping patriarchal values to maintain a sense of control in a society. That is when the scissors come to play, symbolizing the potential liberation and growth that can happen if society were to act against patriarchal norms.

Allan Johnson explains how it is our stagnant and bystander behavior that allows these norms to remain in place and that society has a chance at this liberation if there exists a willingness, despite backlash that one may receive, to embrace and act for change. Even so, this would take a considerably large effort from society to eliminate what’s been in place for many years. I suppose this is why the tree in this snapshot is only at a sprouting state in comparison to its roots. Going back to the topic of branches, it is not easy to specify which categories are impacted within a patriarchal society but there is one that puzzles me. That would be the male experience within a patriarchal and their awareness, or lack of, this existing matter. If a male is aware that they cannot express the emotions that a woman is expected to express, despite both being human and knowing that emotions are natural occurrences, would that not motivate men to end this norm set in place by patriarchal values? After all, that is their silent battle. Something else that constantly seems to puzzle me is women’s degradation of one another, women who actively participate in the reinforcement of patriarchal values. Society is in a constant loop of oppression and there are cases in which some actively participate due to fear for several reasons. These situations reflect Audre Lorde quoted text, one should not pick and choose because one does not have the power of doing so, unless one does not directly experience any form of oppression from these values.