Author: Kiara Johnson

Journal #3

The readings of Gendered/sex bodies and Theories of gender / sex highlights numerous important concepts. I want to talk about men this time and not focus so much on women. After watching ” Ten responses to the phrase ‘Man up'” by Guante i was drawn in. In this video the poet passionately expressed his personal experiences and the social construction that society tries to hold men in. One point in the video Guante talks about him wanting to be emotional and weak sometimes. He also said he wants to be strong without it relating to physical power and to have talks with his son about something other than sports. All of these points he made were powerful. The concept of body politics and body surveillance connects with Guantes speech.

Body politics is an assumption of a persons sexuality and character based off of our physical appearance. Usually men are told to man up, this comment already suggest that the male that is being told to man up is lacking in a certain area of what a “man” should be. If a man isn’t built with muscles or dresses like a nerd the assumptions come along that the individual is weak or not a ladies man . These ideas are false, according to theories of gender/ sex (Beauvior 2011)  states that one is not born, but rather becomes,woman.” Beauvior continues on and expresses that the biological sex of a person, physic or economic destiny does not determine the influence actions a human women will take on in society. I referring back to a mans stand point, their appearance and/or economic background has nothing to do with what kind of human being they will be .

Looking at gender through the physiological theories lens, it focuses more on the past experiences from our childhoods. We may learn and believe things now , due to our upbringings. Our parents, family and friends . Sometimes we can unconsciously do things and have no clue where these behaviors come from , until we stop and retrace when and where. Cognitive development is a theory that helps explains the behavior of an human. This development theory focuses on the process of our identity and behavior influenced from teachings and environment in our adolescence.  Personally for me, growing up my parents taught me at a young age to not sit with my legs open. As a 5 year old i can remember me always making sure my legs weren’t spread apart , i would always hear my mother or fathers voice saying ” that is not lady like”. The other reasons they installed with me was being protective and safe from any perverts . i do believe that some not all of our behaviors are encouraged by our upbringings.

Discussion 2

As i looked through each of the diagrams assigned , I examined the presentation. They are all pretty similar but they also have some differences that makes them unique. Starting off with the gender terminology diagram, this diagram is simple but the visuals make a difference. For example in the section where it says gender attribution, it explains the meaning . Which is how other people see us , perhaps by our physical appearance or behavior . In the visual it shows a man in a wheel chair , I thought that image was an apotheosis of what gender attribution is. The following two diagrams I viewed were gender unicorn and the gender bread person. These diagrams as well were simple but weren’t as visual like the gender terminology diagram. Lastly the diagram I chose based on my preference was the sex, gender and sexuality interlace diagram. This diagram has a basic layout but it is detailed on each term when it comes to explaining gender. For example instead of just titling one section sex , it went on furthermore with description . It explained that the sex of person isn’t only the biological identification male or female , but it also broke down the biological sex functions. Which are chromosomal, genetic, hormonal, reproduction, gondal and sex organs . For others like me who didn’t really have understand at first of the basis and depths of gender , this would be a great diagram to refer them to. The details in each section would explain clearly on the different meanings on gender and would result in with a conclusion of better understanding.

The personal diagram that I drew opened my eyes to how many ways I identify myself. I realized I listed occupations and interests of how I want others to view me and identify me as , including how I personally see myself as . How I see myself as , I may not always share with others because that is not how I may want to be portrayed to others as . The three groups that I chose that I feel has added value to my life are me being a Christian/ minister/ woman of God , being a manager and being family oriented. Me being a minster of the gospel and identifying myself as a woman of God sometimes causes conflict. For one of many examples , I had an issue at work where my coworker would verbally insult me by mocking my beliefs. I never gave him a reason to be so hostile and rude , in fact I have always tried to be kind and understanding and allowed him always to speak his thoughts. I felt disrespected , no one else on my job ever did this to me so I eventually decided to have a conversation with him and vocalize my feelings . It was revealed to me that he didn’t think it was a big deal and after he apologized for his offending comments, though I don’t believe it was genuine because he still from time to time makes comments that are offending. Yes we according to our rights we have the right to freely speak , however respect and balance should also be put into consideration , especially when the other party is giving respect to the other individual. In addition to the other 2 groups I chose being a manager, this comes with conflict like the example I use above and many other kinds of barriers that can affect the communication with others . Even though I am new at being a manager , in the process of me being trained to become one and finally walking in the position. It has helped me grow and learn so many things about communication, conflict, problem solving , listening, business and character . In addition me being a manager and a young woman at that, makes it difficult for men to take me as seriously as they would if I was a man .Lastly me being family oriented is a huge part of my life , I have a very close relationship with a portion of my family. When ever we plan to do something whether its gathering for a celebration , serious matters or just spending quality time I make sure I try to be involved as much as possible. Sometimes this may cause misunderstandings with others outside of my family. There have been times my friends wanted me to participate in something but I already had made a commitment to my family plans. My friends felt as if I wasn’t there for them , but again balance is relevant including understanding .

By doing this assignment I have learned that Gender is so much more than the sex that you are assigned at birth. Gender is attached to your identity and the things that make you who you are today .

Journal # 2

In the reading “Introduction to Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies” by “Miliann Kang, Donovan Lessard, and Laura Heston” it discusses many issues and situations that are going on in society concerning gender . There are binary systems and binary perspectives. This consists of making people believe that men and women have nothing in common. This out come results from stereotypes such as , men are strong but women are emotional and weak or men are leaders and women are to be submissive. This causes division , which has been proven through research especially in the work force field . Men who hold positions in female dominated positions still receive higher earnings that women who hold the position. This is a clear indicator of division which is also referred to as the glass escalator . A part in the reading that stood out me that was undeniably true was the occupations of female dominated positions . Which are nurses, daycare workers, nannies, babysitters, teachers etc. You only see women work in these fields 95% of the time , it is rare that you see men .

When it comes to our sexuality , society has automatically labeled what is normal and acceptable versus what is not . This is a built culture that we have been built on for decades. devising ” natural ” and ” defiant ” causes conflicts and disagreements between others and communities . Me being female it is expected for me to be heterosexual , attracted to men. Men are expected to be attracted to women, but when this isn’t always the case discrimination comes along and compulsory monogamy takes place. Being apart of a particular group can affect those on the outside in either a positive or negative way. Interestingly there are multiple ways of masculinity. When i thought of the term masculinity i only thought of men , however there is female masculinity as well. Judith ( jack) Halberstam connects maleness and power to female masculinity , such as a women dressing masculine or behaving with male tendencies.

Race is an issue even now currently today that is unfortunately still an issue. The tension between Caucasians and African Americans has been built on invalid assumptions and hate. After reading this section on race , i now understand that race in a social context form is more than the color of a persons skin but the constructions of race are foolishly based on  intelligence, sexuality, strength, motivation, and culture. I say foolishly because further on in the book is validates that the concept of scientific racism is false. This concept held the theory of intellect based on the size of a person brain size , which was proven negative. Even in past history the binary systems between white and blacks have always been there. The stereo types that black people are more sexual than others. This invalid argument encouraged awful acts to be done towards African american women . Slaves were raped and this violation at time wasn’t illegal, why ? because of racism and gender. Male power against women, including race against one another .

Being apart of a particular class can again , bring false accusations towards the group. Middle class and/or low class people are unfairly concluded to a statement . People who fall in the group of low class are viewed as people who don’t work hard enough to have success. Leniency is granted more for those who are wealthy, middle class people may be viewed as hard workers and stable. This is not always true, there are many people who are born into wealth or became wealthy by doing very little believe it or not. All of these assumptions can make a person prematurely write another human being off because of their idea of who this person may be , due to the group they belong to.

In conclusion all of these concepts and examples all show how binary ways of understanding the differences between individuals are not true. This is not the way to try and understand the dilemmas that we have in human culture.

Discussion 1

Hi every one my name is Kiara Johnson . I am from Harlem, New York born and raised. I am 24 years old and I am perusing my degree In communications . This is my last semester at BMCC , I am excited for what is next to come in my life. Before attending BMCC I had no clue what I wanted to do when it came to college. After I graduated high school I went straight into work . I was hired at a retail store and those 4 years of working, towards the end I really started to think about college. I was afraid to attend college because of the work that was required from college students. If I could be honest I didn’t think I was capable and that’s what mainly stopped me my fear. When I finally enrolled in college I was majoring in nursing , but down the road I realized that field wasn’t for me . I’m still unsure right now on what I want to officially do with my career, but I do know I am on the right path.

Growing up I was limited to certain things in life . My father always taught me the things a man should do for a women and how a woman should be treated. You know the things like walking on the inside of the side walk or making sure the man always pays. I always held on to those teachings but as i got older I started to see the other things he believed that isn’t necessarily correct. I remember a time when we were moving into our new home and I took charge to carry some of the boxes. My father automatically stopped me and said no . I asked him why he wouldn’t allow me to carry the box to car? besides it was only a few steps away , his response was ” because you’re a female, you don’t carry boxes” being that I was 20 at this time I understood much better than when I was child. I responded to my father by explaining to him that my gender had nothing to do with me carrying a box. He was raised and taught al his life to hold those standards up when it came to women. My father grew up in a very old school home, his parent which are my grandparents plays part in gender, which some I believe isn’t fair.

My grandfather believes that us women have to be stay home wives. He believes that without a questions the women should cook and clean the house , wash the close and to start a family as soon as possible. My grandfather married my grandmother at the age of 17 , he was raised and taught to get married and have children at a young age . Fast forwarding now I expressed how things have changed and I personally myself will not accept the limits that comes with gender roles, and he understood. My father and grandfather now have a better mindset and understanding on just because generations passed down these beliefs doesn’t always make right. I believe both genders can play whatever role they like as long as their is a mutual agreement within the relationship .

Journal # 1

As I watched the Gender identity stories , one story really stood out to me . The video titled ” you did it girl ” I could relate to Eli. She was very transparent about her personal struggles. Which I strongly believe was influenced by society, including the media .These platforms are usually targeted towards women and expects them to reach unrealistic measures . One of the statements she said was ” I was starving but the compliments I received were feeding me ” that was very potent, in fact very true .  How often in life do we partake in things we aren’t to fond of, but we continue to involve ourselves due to possible self gratification. Personally for me ,at the early age of 12 I became obsessed with self image. I hated the way I looked , those emotions were created by an older cousin of mine. She would constantly make fun of the shape of my body and my physical attributes. I was young and she was older so I assumed she must be right ,since she had more years up on me . Because I thought I was fat, I began to only eat one meal a day . Or I would eat very light meals such as cream cheese bagels and a bottle of water. I made sure I worked out every day and never ate around boys, no matter how hungry I was. I had to find a way to stay “beautiful ” when in fact that’s not what beauty means . Even if I was on a thicker side i still would have been beautiful, or if i was petite my beauty wouldn’t have changed. I now today love myself and i have grown out of a negative mind set. However It did take me a while to see myself for the beautiful person God sees me and created me as.

According to introduction “Gender Stories” by “Dan P. McAdams, Ruthellen, Josselson, & Amia Lieblich, Identity and Story” This chapter highlights many different out looks and conceptualizations when it comes to gender. Conceptualization of gender does not treat gender as a stable aspect of a person. Gender is separated from the sex of a person by behavior our personality etc when we socialize in the world. In the reading it explains how our gender depending on who we are around or depending on the situation , changes its never the same. For example in a social context , your behavior changes. if I was arriving to work to have a meeting with the CEO of the company I would want to appear as a women who is confident and bold versus if I was just going to watch a movie with some close friends , I would present myself more laid back . We unconsciously change our genders throughout the day through behavior. Gender is the assignment of meaning to the bodies , which is the way people label and categorize others. I have personally experienced this . My manager for the company i work for is a male. Because I am a young woman, his assumptions were quickly made before even allowing the possibility to come into play, that I could take charge of keeping things in order . His behavior displayed his beliefs that he could only handle the business because he is a man with power.

Over all we are taught these things from our early adolescence. The difference between gender , man and female. The cognitive theory states that children understands identity in stages this doesn’t happen over night . I believe even as young adults we may not know a person personality and identity  until we fully get to know them .