“a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression.” Explain what you understand this definition to mean.
This definition was said by Hooks more than 10 years ago in her book Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center. As the movement progressed, it became clear that the problem is sexism and sexist thinking in both men and women. Hooks spoke about oppression when she stated “Whether it was white women working on behalf of socialism, black women working on behalf of civil rights and black liberation, or Native American women working for indigenous rights, it was clear that men wanted to lead, and they wanted women to follow.” Men didn’t think a woman could lead and were better for the background. From my understanding Feminism is the act of equality for all without thinking of age, gender, race, or any other label that may be put on you, this is what became the movement. Hook’s definition made it clear that it’s genderless because there are women who support sexist exploitation without being aware due to their cultural backgrounds. The freedom to be who you are and be accepted by all is what I also felt while reading this.
How does this definition compare with what you thought “feminism” meant before you did this reading?
Before I did this reading I thought Feminism was strictly about women’s empowerment and it was anti-male. I believe feminists were a group of women who felt as though they were just as equal to men or even more superior to men. While reading it stated “As contemporary feminism progressed, women realized that males were not the only group in our society who supported sexist thinking and behavior” and I had to think back to childhood. While growing up my older family members who are women believed that a man must work and bring home the money while a woman stays and cares for the home. I can now say I understand that those same older family members were part of the problem instead of being a part of the movement.
How does the reading Sex and Gender 101 compare with what you thought about gender before you did this reading?
Sex and Gender 101 was very interesting to me, I work for Apple and we accept everyone for who they are. I have done my own research to educate myself on pro-nouns since I do have some co-workers who use the pronouns they/them. I think the way everything was broken down into categories in the reading will help me teach new hires about one identity. When someone sees a female they may not understand that the “female” identify as a male, the way a “female” has a tomboy style instead of being quick to label them ” lesbian” one has to understand their gender expression. I identify as a cisgender female but there are days when my expression may throw someone off to my gender because I choose to wear a sweat suit and sneakers and look less “girly”. “The nature of one’s sexuality is changeable and subject to change throughout time and that sexual behavior/sexual identity doesn’t always match” when I read this it reminded me of one of my cousins she is a cisgender female but comes of masculine due to her gender expression, recently she has been more open to her feminine side and has switch it up and it shocks the family since we were used to her one way.
