Prof. Hollis Glaser

GWS 100-1300

Discussion 14

I admire Alexandra Ocasio for establishing herself as a volunteer organizer for Bernie Sanders in the Bronx, learning electoral tactics and activism, and dedicating her life to public service. The first woman of color to defeat incumbent Joe Crowley in her first congressional campaign, she refused to accept corporate contributions and deliberate about the change for the marginalized people Alexandra is very concerned about climate change, reducing air and water pollution, and combating the country’s intertwined economic and racial disparities. Her campaign was entirely supported by volunteers and donations from the general public. Additionally, Paula Jean ran against Senator Joe Manchin to combat the coal industry’s demonization affecting peole in the community.

Furthermore, the Roe v. Wade abortion right is about to be overturned, effectively eliminating women’s authority over their own bodies and resulting in little or no access to abortion in society. People forget that women’s rights are human rights, and it should be illegal for a law to dictate what I should do or say about my own body, whether publicly or privately. This type of law is biased because the government only thinks for itself as it assumed power.  The consequences of voting against abortion rights cannot be quantified because it will limit access to education and job/employment possibilities contributing to societal income inequality.

Eromidayo Olayiwola (Harmony)

Prof. Hollis Glaser

GWS 100-1300

Discussion 13

I believe in an inclusive society where, regardless of personal differences, people learn, develop, collaborate, and feel a sense of belonging together. I created this work of art and I am thankful for the knowledge acquired throughout GWS 100 because it has helped me in understanding how my perception of others and how I am perceived by others shapes and structures the world in which we live. Additionally, I gained an understanding of how crucial it is to understand each person’s unique experience and shared creativity before passing judgment on them.

I drew a picture of myself using different tools available in my home, construction paper, erasers, colored pencils, and crayons to explain the beauty of diversity and activism. This painting depicts a woman wearing a colored blouse to symbolize people from all different racial and ethnic backgrounds that project equality, equity, love, unity, and oneness yet are underrepresented.

Prof. Hollis Glaser

GWS 100-1300

Discussion 12

What surprised you in the readings and film?

The myth surrounding menstruation in modern society and transgender people’s restricted or limited access to healthcare is what surprised me the most. It explains how certain cultural norms, beliefs, and differences structure and mold beliefs without the subject matter being understood. Every woman has menstruation, which is a natural process of vaginal bleeding that happens as part of a woman’s monthly cycle. Women’s stories are always told in part, and projections of women’s lives are not always accurate. I’m from a region of the world where women are still prohibited from entering religious buildings while they are menstruating because they are believed to be unclean.

 What connections could you find across the readings and film?

The struggle, mistrust, and rejection faced by people based on their authenticity, life experience, and circumstance having to endure and find a place of belonging is the connection I see in both the film and reading. The Indian community demonstrated a perception of unfairness in the treatment one receives and the injustice and disparities in the health system based on personal differences and race. It is unacceptable that care for transgender people is so insufficient; regardless of who they are, nobody should be neglected. I now recognize the effectiveness of “identity politics,” as marginalized people can use it to combat injustice and inequality. One need not personally experience prejudice or hatred to speak out against it.

How does the format in which the stories are shared impact your understanding of medical oppression and/or other aspects of gender we have discussed this semester?

LeConté described how racism in the medical system contributed to her receiving inadequate medical care and being treated unfairly both during and after her pregnancy. I realized that If people of color, nonbinary individuals do not receive the same standard of medical care as white people, how can you expect them to live long lives?  Simply put, black people do not receive the same quality of healthcare as white people, and this is dangerous. When I was pregnant, I requested a virginal delivery, but I was not allowed to… and the doctors said “You cannot have a virginal birth because you previously underwent a C-Section.” Lies! Additionally, healthcare professionals need to be aware of implicit bias that exists among them. For example, when I say I’m from Nigeria, people automatically assume I come from a low socioeconomic background and am strong enough to endure hardship or unfairness.

Prof. Hollis Glaser

GWS 100-1300

Discussion 11

How do this week’s readings by Garza and Williams (and Anzaldua if you did the optional reading) expand your understanding of identity politics?

I first came across the word “identity politics” in a Combahee River Collective article from 1974. I have since learned that Black feminist Barbara Smith is ascribed with creating the phrase. Identity politics emerged from the need to reshape feminist movements to prioritize liberation for everyone and an expansion of inclusiveness without comparison to biased liberation that is beneficial to some while enslaving others. “Identity politics” is a political movement developed from a particular group, race, nationality, culture, or social class based on their individual experience to make a change.

To my understanding identity politics could be many things and relative in definition having said that it is a movement to liberally include all oppressed, without leaving anyone behind or opposing the liberation of the oppressed. In other words, “identity politics” comes with “power”, and is the ability to affect change that improves all irrespective of their circumstances working together to achieve a shared objective devoid of prejudice and discrimination.

I agree with Alicia Williams’ analysis that until you find yourself in a particular circumstance, you may not be aware of how you are viewed. I am a black person from Nigeria, where black people are revered as having the most beautiful skin color and I am proud of my heritage. However, not generalizing, I realized that black skin people are stereotyped when I migrated to the United States of America and I encouraged myself by walking in the pride that has been instilled in me as a black person.

What topics would you like to explore as a class in the remaining weeks of the semester? Optional: Why these topics?

Of all the classes I have taken, I am proud to say that the GWS class stands out as being exceptional because it broadens my knowledge in discussing how feminist and political identity has developed by taking into consideration of personal experiences and intersectionality that are currently having an impact on the world.

Topics to explore

• The importance of “identity politics” to form a political alliance for a universal change.
• Given that not all feminists are female or male, what role will feminism play in the near future and in generations to come?
• The need to deconstruct systematic racism and its impact in all sectors that affect human lives (including institutions, education, health, media and entertainment industries).
• How does gender issue impact feminism and the issue of gender identity and stereotypes in society?
• Why and how does feminism pose a threat to families, cultural groups, and the impact in a capitalist system?
• How has feminism been beneficial or detrimental to women and men and the impact on boys and girls?

To avoid unintentional discrimination, oppression, violence against women and men, and gender, these topics aim to better understand individual differences respectfully. They also aim to shed light on the feminist perspective in society. Additionally, it expands the right of every individual, eliminates discrimination, be aware of an act of racism, and has the ability and right to be who you want to be while accommodating others in

Eromidayo Olayiwola (Harmony)

Prof. Hollis Glaser

GWS 100-1300

Discussion 10

What is meant by the following quote?: “We might use our position at the bottom to make a clear leap into revolutionary action.  If black women were free, it would mean that everyone else would have to be free since our freedom would necessitate the destruction of all the systems of oppression.”

According to my understanding of the quote, action is required to help tackle the economic marginalization, racial and gender oppression that black women experience, which places them at a low level in all ramifications. This action would then deconstruct all forms of systematic oppression, structural racism and oppression that contributed to the dominance of the white male at all levels. Regardless of the black women’s personalities, they want to be represented at all levels leading to the end of male dominance, stereotypes, and oppression, including discrimination from black men.

What does the Combahee River collective mean by “identity politics”? How do you see this operating in Paris is Burning?

“identity politics” demonstrated the black feminist struggle against racial, sexual, heterosexual, and class oppression. The idea of “Identity, politics” personifies the black feminist motivation for injustice in society. In “Paris is Burning,” Black, queer, trans, and gender nonconforming people describe the struggle, rejection, and discrimination they experienced. They demonstrate their resiliency by creating a community they call “ball,” where they gain confidence, show off their skills, and express how they want to be perceived in society. It demonstrates how identities that are intersected strongly affect and shape one another and revolve around the fight for freedom and survival.

What do race and gender have to do with capitalism?

Since capitalism is an economic and political system in which individuals of different genders and races control a nation’s trade and industry, institutional racism plays a significant role in unfair situations black people are forced to work whereas others are momentarily regarded as doubly valuable tokens at the white-collar and corporate level (CRC.). The system creates unequal rights, power, male supremacy and exploitation of marginalized people in the capitalist system. As long as men are still able to rise to positions of power in the workplace and women are more likely to hold low-level positions, the marginalized group seeks to break free from capitalism. The system is oppressive, interconnected and the only way to end systematic oppression is to address the problems of capitalism, patriarchy, and imperialism.