In the Netflix documentary “Disclosure” it is revealed to us how the transgender community is depicted throughout Hollywood films, movies and television shows since these individuals express a different gender identity than what is considered the norm. I recognized many of the trans and non binary cast members who are actors, activists, writers, and producers from other media. Most of what the documentary consisted of were a variety of examples from films and tv shows throughout history of both the positive and negative representations of transgendered individuals in which some of these cast members were a part of. It seems like at the time American society had the wrong interpretation of the transgender/queer community and continuing to wrongfully mock their identity, which made these individuals feel humiliated, oppressed and marginalized from the public. I couldn’t imagine how these individuals had felt to be exposed from hiding their private parts and being rejected from those who were not comfortable with their identity especially being different from their assigned sex. Some films and tv shows saw it as an opportunity to express violence, discrimination, murder and aggression toward transgender and nonbinary individuals who were targets of transphobia and apply it as a trend. Mainly black trans women were more at risk of hate crimes and being fatally killed in real life due to their intersectionality as they struggle through multiple social identities and being a part of minority groups. Racism, sexism, unemployment and poverty also made them more of a victim, creating a stigma around the violence they were faced. It’s not fair that their lives are being taken away by individuals who feel uncomfortable and intimated by the way a trans person may carry themselves in society that isn’t fully accepting of their identities. This is why the LGTBQ community felt confident, proud and comfortable together during their nights at the balls where they expressed themselves in an environment that wasn’t limited to just one category or identity. An example of this comes from both “Pose” and “Paris Is Burning”. 

      Trans individuals gained their influence through different roles of characters in films or shows that were closely related to what their own lives reflected and what they felt was personal to them. It was important that the actors/actresses who starred as trans characters associate themselves as trans in their natural state because it doesn’t seem authentic that a cis person is being the face of a community they don’t belong to. It doesn’t give credit or respect to those who actually identify that way because their transition is more than just putting on and taking off a costume for the money and fame. Instead trans individuals would rather have their lifestyles expressed in a way that they can truthfully share their experiences to help others understand their worth in society just like regular human beings. 

      In Glory’s snapshot it seems like Laverne Cox is an inspiration for those within the LGTBQ community. I feel like this is great that Laverne serves as an idol that is not afraid of embracing her identity and advocates in supporting the lives of other trans and non-binary individuals to love themselves. I remember first seeing her character as Sophia on the Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black” and the reason she was in prison was for credit card fraud in which she was trying to pay for sex assignment surgery. This meant that her story in the series may have been closely related to her personal life due to gender transitioning as a trans individual.

The Frontline film “The Abortion Divide” shared two different viewpoints from both prolife and prochoice individuals on the topic of abortion, termination of pregnancy as a result of the death of a embyro or fetus. This procedure can be performed either medically or surgically by removing the embryo or fetus from the uterus. Back in the day IV sedation was not an option during the surgical procedure which meant the patients would be awake and as a disadvantage feeling more pain throughout the procedure. The film was interesting based on the fact the diversity of females who went to the abortion site were women of all ages, young and old, even those who already have kids of their own and for some it was their first pregancy. The antiabortion activists (predominately white men) outside the facility seemed to be religious and some being in the medical field as they were all against the killing of life. It doesn’t seem right to me that these prolife individuals were in some way oppressing and judging these women for their right to decide what to do with their bodies. Abortion is safe and legal however, there is a controversey that this form of contraception is a harsh, immoral, and a sin. Those women truthfully mentioned that their decision to abort is a result of their financial, emotional and mental instability to raise a baby especially if they’re single mothers with no home and no resources as they struggle to support themselves. There is also an issue that some babies are at risk of coming out with disabilities and complications due to a mother who’s undergone drug or alcohol abuse. It was not mentioned in the film but I feel like even sexually abused individuals decide that an abortion would be a more desired option for them. 

I feel like to each is their own when it comes to abortion however, there is also the opportunity for these newborn babies to be given up for adoption after birth. It is all just a very emotional and challenging decision for most of these women to go through especially after noticing that some women in the film are pregnant with twins. I just think some people need to be more responsible and sexually educated to avoid unwanted pregnancies so it can work out for both the man and woman because it does not just happen on its own. 

John Oliver’s comical video on the “Hobby Lobby” as they refuse to provide their employees with contraceptive services as a violation to their religious beliefs. Oliver clearly makes a joke out of it because the company is trying to strive for religious rights but yet a corporation can’t just pick and choose what laws to obey or deny if it’s already embedded in the given city or state. Overall I feel like religion should not interfere or influence a woman’s contraceptive decision. I wouldn’t want someone to try and control my personal preference that may have an impact on my own health and lifestyle. Fawzina shares an image that states “NO TO TEXAS ABORTION BAN” “OUTRAGED!” as this is a current issue that the state is trying to pass a law to restrict women from an abortion, I honestly find that so crazy it is unbelievable. 

In “Too Latina To Be Black, Too Black Too Be Latina” by Aleichia Williams, who faced a “race crisis” back in their childhood. Aleichia attended a new school in a whole different state than what they were used to and it seemed like based on Aleichia’s appearance the kids tried to turn her down since they misjudged Aleichia’s race or ethnicity. Aleichia, who spoke Spanish,  made the kids at school eventually accept Aleichia since they only approved of individuals from within that particular race. I feel like just because someone doesn’t physically fit with what is expected of their race or ethnicity, it is not fair to jump to conclusions and cancel them out if throughout their own lives they share the qualities like language, food, music, traditions and practices that shape their identity. There is a misconception that all Latinos or Hispanics look and talk the same when in reality there is a huge diversity within itself. I am Dominican and my family members who also share the same ethnicity as me are either light skinned or dark skinned, and some have curly, wavy or straight hair making us all different but in a unique way. I don’t mind any of the differences in identity within my family because I know based on my heritage we are a mix of African and Spanish European descent. I enjoyed the fact that Aleichia stated “I’m learning to embrace every aspect of my identity and not let small minds put me in a box that just doesn’t fit. I’m Latina. I’m black. Also, I’m human. No one can take that from me” (Williams). This means that someone’s identity can be powerful in the way others may perceive them but what is important is valuing and taking pride in where one comes from and to not be ashamed of it. 

“The Power of Identity Politics” by Alicia Garza states “Identity is the elephant in America’s room” (Garza 191). This has been a big problem throughout history in our country that Black women in particular and many other marginalized groups from Latin America, the Caribbean, Pacific Islanders, and those from the LGTBQ community are all faced with discrimination and are excluded from obtaining equal opportunities whether it be politically, socially and economically against those who fall under the power of whiteness. The norms for these groups have changed since back in history when their lifestyles were forced upon the power of white supremacy, a kind of systemic domination. It didn’t stop these racial and ethnic groups from being in control of who they are as they took matters into their own hands in fighting against a set of standards that didn’t reflect their own identity. White women don’t understand the struggles that Black feminists encounter based on their different experiences in American society. There’s no way to compare the two especially while one race is oppressed and the other is privileged but it is important to target issues of each race to try and dismantle this political bias. 

Heatherlee’s snapshot helps us understand the ways in which black girls and women are the victims of negative stereotypes, discrimination and systemic racism that deny them from their livelihood in society. People don’t realize how difficult and annoying it can be for someone to constantly hear assumptions and be questioned about his/her appearance, behavior and personality that make up their personal identity not necessarily their race. You are not giving that  person a chance to be themselves when we live among a diversity of people that come in all shapes and sizes. We have to learn to accept who they are and respect their differences.

The American documentary “Paris is Burning” directed by Jennie Livingston is a legendary film that portrays the lives of those from minority groups such as African Americans and Latinos who are gay and transgender. In New York City during the late 1900s, these individuals would come together to live their best nights participating and contributing to underground ball/drag culture. Ball culture consisted of a mix of dances particularly voguing, music, fashion, modeling and competition for trophies and making a statement within the LGTBQ community. It was inspiring for me to recognize that this film resembled a similar fictional TV show named “Pose” that shared this similar issue of being LGTBQ and violating traditional gender norms. They were exploited and treated differently in society due to this intersectionality among their race, sexuality and gender identity. As a heterosexual female, I enjoyed seeing the unity and supportiveness within the gay and transgender community as they chose to express themselves in a comfortable space where they are able to fulfill their dreams of having the fame and fortune that comes from the entertainment industry. It’s fascinating how creative and talented they are because of how important these performances are to them since they work hard to have a good time and respectfully show off. I also love how there are what are known as different “houses’ ‘ under a house mother which can either be black and Latino gays or transgenders who form these groups in respect to those who have been rejected by their real families for being LGTBQ and are often left homeless due to poverty. It was interesting that just like any other human being they gained their influence and found their idols through mainstream media and looked up to that famous person for their looks, fashion, attitude and even lifestyle. It seemed like in the back of their mind this is obviously how they pictured themselves to be like but it was hard because once the night is over it’s back to being a part of a society that wasn’t as accepting of one’s sexuality. 

    In connection with fighting toward race, sex and class oppression The Combahee River Collective Statement (1977)  by Demita Frazier, Beverly Smith, and Barbara Smith who are all black feminists came together to create a movement to address the issue between race and sexuality like being both black and lesbian struggling to make ends meet in American society and politics. In the reading it stated “We realize that the only people who care enough about us to work consistently for our liberation are us. Our politics evolve from a healthy love for ourselves, our sisters and our community which allows us to continue our struggle and work” (Smith). This meant that based on the social issues and inequalities they face because of their race and sex as black women, they are all they got to keep each other strong and continue standing for justice within their community. The needs of black women are different from those of black men and white women because they are not valued equally, and are often judged and mistreated. 

      It seems like what I understand from Sadira’s snapshot is that no matter what race someone is, when people die they all turn into skeletons, all bones, nothing left to distinguish the color of their skin that can determine that person’s role in society. It’s good to know that over the years adjustments have been made to allow those from the LGTBQ community and even black women a chance to go about society without being discriminated against as harshly since there are laws and regulations that may protect them from these issues. 

It’s funny how society presents to us on our TV’s all these different types of “housewives” that are a part of these reality shows. It only depicts negative and inappropriate actions, behaviors and attitudes of women only to glorify their aggressive and dysfunctional personalities within their relationships and towards other women on the show. I don’t find these shows entertaining. I think it makes women look bad since back in the day real housewives took pride in their role of maintaining the family, cleaning the house and cooking meals instead of what these women on TV do which is to fight, bully and bash everyone of their successes and lifestyle. 

Women have been struggling with their role as a housewife and a mother which at first seemed like the dream of many women but in reality there is a problem. In reading “Feminine Mystique” by Betty Friedan, there is this sense of unhappiness that comes from women who have become committed to this housewife lifestyle of material comfort and not working outside the home but constantly in charge of housework, child-rearing, and cooking. The old fashioned way of living for a housewife also consisted of women not being involved in any career, higher education, and politics. Little did they know that what they were taught was wrong for truly feminine women because the dream for many women back then is different than that of today. The importance of having a higher education, pursuing in a career, getting involved in politics and working to make ends meet has an impact on women to help us grow smarter and mentally stronger and independent through a patriarchal society that made it seem like we couldn’t equally share the rights and opportunities that gender and some cultural roles expected of us. Friedan mentioned “It is ridiculous to tell girls to keep quiet when they enter a new field, or an old one, so the men will not notice they are there. In almost every professional field, in business and in the arts and sciences, women are still treated as second-class citizens. It would be a great service to tell girls who plan to work in society to expect this subtle, uncomfortable discrimination- tell them not to be quiet, and hope it will go away, but fight it. A girl should not expect special privileges because of her sex, but neither should she”adjust” to prejudice and discrimination” (Freidan). This means that girls and women are not being valued, recognized and empowered for their abilities to work in the same environment and circumstances as men who are a part of the same profession because women are still not being treated as fully equal to men rather in competition. I feel like society’s negative stereotypes work to make females shy away from environments such as the workplace which prevents them from becoming successful on their own. A woman’s ability to perform a task and have the true skills for it should not be compared to her sex and role in society. 

In the second reading “The Politics of Housework” by Pat Mainardi which distinguishes the life of liberated women and the life of the housewife where one focuses on her sex life and career and the other focuses on her marriage, home and kids. Mainardi also shared her personal experiences with her husband on how housework between men and women are fulfilled differently within the household. Of course it’s easy to say that both sexes should equally put in the same effort and work when it comes to keeping the house clean however, Mainardi’s problem was that once her husband tried doing all the things she would do he made excuses about it as he related it to his masculinity. Traditional gender roles are continuously changing especially for women ever since they’ve gained their rights and strived for liberation to be freed from oppression and male patriarchy. Sadira’s snapshot states “I don’t need rights – I have a kitchen” which is more or less what society during the late 19th century expected of women to believe since their only occupation is set as a housewife while their husbands worked away from home and depended on their wives to cook and clean.   

Lastly, in reading “The Myth of the Vaginal Orgasm” by Anne Koedt, it is expressed how there is a misconception on women’s sexuality and desires. The sexual anatomy of a female consists of the vagina but the clitoris is the main center for sexual pleasure. Koedt wanted to educate and inform both men and women when it comes to sexual interactions and pleasing each other’s desires correctly and equally come to a climax. The clitoris and penis are compared in which they similarly serve as the receptors of pleasure. It is important that women aren’t left “frigid” and unsatisfied when engaging in sexual intercourse with men who aren’t familiar with the way their body works and how it may psychologically affect women.