This week’s readings and films were, for lack of a better word, eye-opening. I was able to watch and learn new things that, before this course, I hadn’t been aware of. “12 Reasons It Should Be Illegal for Doctors Not to Treat Trans People” by Diana Trujèe left me with an uneasy feeling about the lack of empathy transgender people face concerning medical necessities. For anyone to lack health care, or any form of medical assistance, is simply just wrong, especially in this country. As citizens who pay their dues and work day and night to reap the benefits they deserve, it saddens me that they are treated in such a horrible way. Similar to this reading, “A Birth Story”, written by Dr. Dana-Ain D, also shared a horrific experience LeConte J. Dill had when giving birth to her daughter. Obstetric racism was something that I had never heard of before and was in disbelief that it even existed. Similar to what I had written in my discussion post, I continue to be shocked by the behaviors that are made against minorities, even in a place where they should feel the safest. period. End of Sentence was a short film that I truly enjoyed from beginning to end. I was happy to see women banding together and being brave enough to get on camera and talk about personal issues that are normally to never be spoken of out loud. It was incredible to see them also take matters into their own hands regarding the lack of menstruation materials that were available to women in the village. I thought it was completely badass to see them gain financial independence by working towards something for the greater good.

Watching the film Period was very emotional to me because this is something I have witnessed growing up in Nepal. I think the practice has now been criminalized, but women in rural parts of Nepal practiced “Chhaupadi” which basically meant they were exiled to a shed away from their homes for 3-4 days when they were menstruating. Even in the cities, it was common practice to not go the kitchen, the worship area where we put the idols of our Gods and to not participate in any religious festivities when we were on our periods. I was fortunate enough to grow up with parents who didn’t enforce any such rules in our home. However, when I was staying with my mom’s side of the family for a year, it was a completely different story. I remember the first time I was told I couldn’t sit at the dining table with my uncles because I was on my periods. Instead, I had to sit alone in a corner, served from inches away because I wasn’t supposed to touch any of the utensils we cooked

Periods is still such a taboo in most South Asian countries, and awareness about female reproductive health is almost non-existent. Most women still rely on cloths as an alternative to sanitary napkins because they do not know any better and the prices are well beyond their means. Furthermore, there’s shame attached to periods, belief that women are somehow “impure” when they’re on their periods. Little girls are forced to leave their schools and women are at risk for many infections due to the inaccessibility to sanitary pads. Yet, there is very little done to bring about a change because the men in power are not affected by menstruation, and as such don’t give two shits.

P.S. There’s a Bollywood movie called ‘Padman’ based on the man shown in Period, Mr. Muruganantham Arunachalam.

I learned alot from this week’s readings and short films. Everyday I realize how cruel the world can be. The unfairness of people’s opinions and judgment that causes oppression on an individual. The film talks about Women and young girls in India not having an education higher than the fifth grade due to the fact that they were on their periods. They have no idea what pads are and they never used one. As a girl I know how they feel because getting your period for the first 2 years is not fun. Especially without useful resources. Moving on to the article about LeConte a black pregnant woman. She was treated poorly by the doctors and nurses. Oppression should not occur in these circumstances. A mother’s health is more important than the color of her skin, or at least it should be. I learned that oppression can come in any shape and forms. Most oppression of today is more based on opinions. The article about Non-binary people made me really sad because they were denied healthcare because of what theychose to be. They could be dying from sickness and they are still not tended to. One of stories told was about a person who was sick to their death, they were throwing up numerous times. They dialed 911 and when they came. They seen that the person was non-binary and instead of helping them, the ems left them there. I was shocked because I think no matter who or what a person is they still deserve to be treated. Oppression will always be apart of society and hopefully one day it can no longer excise