Art always should have something to say, in my opinion. It must move us or concern us. We need artist activists to let people realize what we hope to look at matters that affect us. Regular art should not be “pretty” and only decorative ether; people should demand more from art. Like we demand from politicians, police, etc. We don’t always have to do it, but to shape the dignity of an individual and a society, we can. In “Why Artistic Activism,” Stephen Duncombe and Steve Lambert reflect on a couple of great points:to make a change, to have a meaning, it’s nothing new, to connect with others, to build new possibilities, and more. ArtActivism can be powerfully critical!
Activism will never be just a hobby or something to do. Activists make a difference with action and always have something critical to say. The action via art can be in social media memes, posters, poetry stands, pins on T-Shirts, documentary movies, and, yes, paintings and theater plays….. Anyone can do it. You don’t need to be a fine art or history major to do it, but if you have an idea, you can express it only by emphasizing your opinion. Opinions about contemporary problems are sometimes visible in social media, marches, modern prose, anger at schools, and on the street in forms of gravity or songs. Art Activism isn’t precisely described as a clean, polite art form of expression. It’s not meant to give visuals, please, but to say what’s wrong around us.
Activists can change a rule of an artist. A scientist can explain how global warming is affecting the earth, and an artist can do a project where he asks people to speak to the earth and explain new modern behavior. These two very different forms of communication can help us understand the danger of higher temperatures and how our earth is a friend we need to care about. One of my favorite activist artists is JR-he is terrific!
Author Archives: Kat Gawin
Kat Gawin Reflection #12, MOVIE “Girl Connected”
Josi from Peru, Latifa from Bangladesh, Ayesha from India, Michelle from Kenya, and Ghazal from Jordan are sharing their intimate and painful stories in the movie “Girl Connected “by Koen Suidgeest. Every girl represents a different situation but substantially describes an oppressed person. We see examples of gender discrimination. Religious and/or geographical area also explains a lot of abuse. We won’t justify them because human rights are universal for us. These young women, perhaps kids, live in cultures that limit their freedom and take away their possibilities.There is a loss in human potential. It shows violence when mothers want to sell a child for marriage or another person gets pregnant early, like 11 or 12. This movie shows how the girls don’t give up. They inspire each other. They give public speeches about sex protection and tech self-defense, make movies, and discuss social justice and identity problems.
They teach other women, so they know not one scenario is possible but many. In my opinion, they are feminists who actively make a difference. They talk about focus, education, and big dreams. They aren’t settling for unfairness. Every girl has a different talent, and that brings optimism and feint.
Kat’s Gawin drawing – Social Justice Week
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“I will not have my life narrowed down. I will not bow down to somebody else’s whim or to someone else’s ignorance.”
―Bell Hooks
Kat Gawin Abortion
Abortion is a woman’s right! The pregnant person might stop working while pregnant or after, might stop studying, will not sleep at night, and has to take care of a tiny human for many years 24/7! That’s a huge responsibility in a country with no parental leave and no free aftercare after school. Why is this so hard to understand? Why is a healthcare right taken away from a woman because she might not want a child? It is a question of personal freedom and what we pay taxes for. We also know that women will perceive the surgery if they want to. They will travel, risk lives or go to dangerous places to do it. Roe v. Wade should be canceled. Women should decide not apolition a man who has no access to the perusal reasons of a particular person. We should be careful who we vote for because that is connected to abortion problems. I am very proud of Alexandra Ocasio for speaking confidently for all the women and pushing others to be knowledgeable and act strongly. She also stands for climate change and many social and political adjustments to support those in need, maybe because she is from the Bronx. A woman was killed and died in my country(Poland) because of the abortion ban. People went on the streets. The anti-abortion right is strongly in my country and is supported by the politicians and the church, and that institution cut reproductive rights. People go to black market doctors often. There is a prison sentence for that. Miscarriage is taken to the criminal investigation.
Kat Gawin Final
Social justice means fairness, equity, and quality. Feminism is a movement fighting to end women’s exploration, sexiest men’s behavior and oppression, as Bell Hooks tried to explain very clearly. Sex is anatomy and psychology. There are a couple of factors and ways to express gender through behavior, looks, and physical and mental self-the identity. So feminism is a much broader concept and can address more issues if we analyze it more profoundly. I learned what I am in this class, and I understood more about myself in a contest of gender politics and how the patriarchal world is the air we breathe, not even thinking about it while we work and study. There are personal, Institutional, interpersonal, and cultural levels of operation.
I heard stories about racial prejudice,gender struggles, social unfairness, and simple brutal ignorance, even from family members or the doctor’s office. I always appreciate others’ shares because they make you realize the pain. We had read about the New York Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, where 148 women died.This is a horrifying story, painful and full of ignorance. I believe women are the most vulnerable to violence in history. I had a chance to participate in discussions about human rights and freedom, civil rights, and liberties, along with feminism. I understand the importance of fundamental structure and why women didn’t have the same possibilities as men to live their lives. The history of women is different than that of men. Black feminism is different then feminism. Many stories I heard contained the narrative of oppression in other parts of the World. My friends from class shared touching and painful experiences that I am thankful I heard. It made me closer to every one of them.
I feel capitalism is taking a human from humanity; it created slavery and built a structure that exploits people and drains their strength and hard work with little reward and no benefits.Woman who carry the responsibility to core for family exist under different rules in capitalist world.
Race, Gender, Class and Feminism are social issues that are reflected in our everyday lives when we start the day on the morning ride in the subway, at work or school, and when we come back to our kids who tell us stories from their daily lives in their class. It is painfully vivid in unfairness and rewarding when challenged. Action, activist matter and change is possible if decided to do it. We talked about what we did to protect ourselves and the moment we couldn’t do it and why. We witness human struggle in many forms while reading about discrimination and injustice and analyzing white privilege. The count of 26 conditions in Peggy McIntosh opened my imagination.
To better understand the history and current structure, we must face existing ideas about radicating inequality and building new concepts. The unconscious processes that sustain inequality must be discussed, and the dialog must include history. I care for social justice regarding race, gender, sexual identity, national origin, ethnicity, religion, immigration status, economic status, etc. Social justice is the battle of our times across New York City, the nation, and the globe. Social justice is delivering on today’s promises while also accounting for, and reckoning with past harm, persistent harm, and, where applicable, leveling the playing field. That means ensuring, for example, that Black and brown people are brought on in businesses to account for systemic racism, raising women’s pay to account for past and ongoing pay inequality, or seeing that children do not start the school day hungry. We have responsibilities and duties to each other to ensure social justice is done, and this has been my passion. Feminism is a fight for justice, and anyone can add to it from their end. There is no end! My perspective is also driven by world history, personal experience, and vocational experience. I was raised in Soviet-occupied Poland, which gained independence when I was 10. My parents had collaborated against the USSR. We do not seek to save and preserve for the sake of protecting and preserving; we strive to learn and maintain this work to help propel people forward with a clearer view of the past, and the aim of moving forward, perhaps even together. Once more, to understand the forces that fuel structural racism, gender inequality, and class, it’s necessary to know how we got here. Daily’s work seems to offer a roadmap.
Kat Gawin #13
Judith Bernstein, born in 1942, is an American feminist artist whose large charcoal drawings of phallic-looking screws in the 1970s represented women’s anger and oppression. Her “penis-screw” signature became a metaphor not only for women’s degradation but also a wide array of social injustices, and opposition to the Vietnam War as well. Later, Bernstein’s work continued in attention-getting fluorescents, with reproductive organs representing social justice. The humor in her work magnifies, without diminishing, the high cost of social injustice
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Rosemary Mayer (1943–2014) was an American visual artist and writer involved in the feminist art movement, and a co-founder of the A.I.R. Gallery, which also displayed her work in a solo exhibition in 1973. Mayer studied classics at St. Joseph’s College and the University of Iowa and fine art at the School of Visual Arts and the Brooklyn Museum Art School. She was fluent in Latin and Greek, and translated a diary of an Italian artist Pontormo. She has mostly been recognized for her large fabric sculptures and work on paper, drawings, outdoor installations and books. Her most well-known draper sculptures are interpreted as an imitation of painting and medieval art. She named them after famous women, both historical and mythological women. She lived her entire life in New York, where she taught art for 20 years at LaGuardia Community College.
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Kat Gawin everyday my privilege and everyday opression
- In what ways do you experience privilege?
I experienced privilege when I looked for a job at age 24 in New York. I didn’t speak English or had no experience, and I would walk from restaurant to restaurant, asking if I could be a hostess or a waitress. I was hired even though there were American college graduate students and a woman of color next to me. I was shocked. One of my friends with a black associated name told me my name sounds white, so my resume might be picked up before someone else’s. I felt horrible, but it was a privilege I didn’t know was attached to me. I also recognized how privileged I was in The United States because of my European education and how much my parents invested in me. To be raised by both parents is a huge privilege!I was very privileged as an emigrant, even though I had to struggle to fit in and adjust to my new life.
- In what ways do you experience oppression?
I felt oppressed being harassed by older men trying to be too friendly with me, I knew an opportunity would put me on a plate like a piece of meat. My mother taught me to speak up in situations like that, so I did. Men would approach me often in many ways, and I never felt comfortable and I would be scared. So I was insulting and unpleasant to them. I felt oppressed at home because I was raised with three brothers, and they were the solid structure of the family in the conversations. If they had good grades, they would be praised for intelligence and awarded. If I would get good grades, I will be a girl who studies well, as every girl should. My housework was never appreciated, and my efforts were undeniable in a household because this is what women do in Polish society. I was also treated very unfairly by my ex-husband, who wanted me to be a housewife, and I was not allowed to have male friends. He would decide if we go for a trip or if we go out that weekend or not. I had to say yes to many rules he had, and I disagreed. So I left one day …
Kat Gawin – “Period. End of Sentence.” Reflection
I get mad when I imagine that if men had periods, they would build rules for themselves to make a big deal out of this.
A bleeding cut on your hand, a broken leg, or bleeding teeth problem is widely accepted because it happens to everyone. But menstruation is shameful because that part of our body is meant for men to get pleasure. Not to bleed or deliver babies. We very recently changed the fact that public breastfeeding is normal. You could hear years ago, “Not in the restaurant, I am eating here!!” from men, or a manager would ask you to go outside. Breasts are sexy and visible in small T-shirts-and thats ok to see them, BUt a newborn can’t eat in a restaurant because a woman is showing her breast in an unnatural scene !?!? What !!! Dogs can eat in restaurants! I like to see a famous woman – Rihanna, recently performing pregnant! Beyonce before! That’s a good sign.
All the rules of women’s physicality, the female body’s role, and her place in society are often emotionally painful. It is oppression, and silence can be harmful too. I am glad men have cancer because perhaps women would have fewer treatments, and not everything would be covered by insurance. Or cervical cancer would not be treated because pro-life organizations would consider this harmful for the future of possible pregnancy!
Kat Gawin Discussion 12
What surprised you in the readings and film?
The documentary and inspiring movie “Period. End of Sentence.” shows how difficult it is to be a woman, get an education, and be understood. The lack of knowledge about menstruation, the myths, and the shaming makes life for millions unbelievably unfair and much harder. Usually, in countries where getting basic necessities is a struggle, to begin with. The movie gets close to ordinary people to show how naturally uneducated they are. We see patriarchal structures where men control a woman’s life entirely, and there is very little space for them to escape oppression. I know that lacking sanitary pads stops women from going to school daily. And getting an education in many countries builds unfairness and limits opportunity but always ( always!) seeing this makes you realize again how hard life is for some of us. It makes you mad because they could have had more help if the men around them were more helpful. The fact that a small basic change makes so much progress it’s even more disturbing. It is a contrast to the ignorance of society.
- What connections could you find across the readings and film?
I feel a connection with being shamed from having a period, and my culture (Poland) is hiding the fact that women have menstruation. Parents don’t talk about this with children; at school, there is very little information explaining how you could feel and why. As a kid, I got all my knowledge from friends and silly magazines for young women.
Because of the menstrual silence, women suffer from fibroids and endometriosis and don’t talk about it because the pain associated with monthly periods should be kept to themselves. Now we talk more about women’s bodies in many aspects, not only as a treat for men! In my opinion, we should also talk about STDs because I see how dating apps get so normal, and many of my friends have sex all the time, but I am not sure if they always protect themself. STDs like menstruation aren’t pretty, so people won’t talk about it and don’t think they can save lives by discussing protection and safe, responsible sex.
I see how transgender people are such an easy target for hate in every corner. They are so brave to fight for who they are! I remember reading that in jails they don’t get to continue the hormonal therapy! Also medicine can change if they would be transported to another state. That can be very harmful for menthol and physical changes.
Non White people often complain about the different health care they receive. My friend is overweight, and she always says that doctors blame any of her problems on her body type. Type that is very natural in her family, and everyone is tall and strong. They don’t bother to do any extra tests- she learned to ask many questions and be very persistent.
Racism is still a widespread antagonism. I know that because I met many people who assumed I was “a little bit racist” (!!!) and would share opinions and feelings about black Americans. Once, I yelled on the train, hearing a Polish-speaking person saying racist comments about my husband! I screamed in Polish and English, telling her how primitive she was. I would do it again!
- 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?
IDENTITY is being who or what a person or thing is.
I feel people try to take away the identity of others. That is immoral and violent. Lack of medical treatment, when you pay taxes and work very hard, is shaming you straight in your face. It’s brutal discrimination! Aren’t medical professionals taking the Hippocratic Oath? To swear they will help others! I could talk for hours about how unnatural from the scientific and biological point of view is, not to talk about menstruation, how women feel, how to help them, teach them, and change the system so they can live better. But men always underline how they must have sex and watch porn because it’s natural, and since states that it is good to do it!
Not understanding female orgasm, lack of medical care based on race or socioeconomic status, lack of medical advice, and care for mental health. That is all manipulation and pushing a person without choices to be something they are not!
Kat Gawin
Prof. Hollis Glaser
GWS 100-1300
Garza and Williams show a complex understanding of how politics are implemented in life. The power that controls.
Intellectual examples and everyday situations are equally important for understanding Identity Politics. I feel that the movement – Identity Politics – is a part of something that has existed for a long time, but now we put a name to it. We will turn it around for an advantage to help people, not to take away from underrepresented individuals.
Politics can narrow or take away people’s possibilities. Since power can make decisions about the life of an individual and a group, to be free and happy, people need to state their expectations, tell their stories and represent their lives. Women’s rights and gay rights must have social fairness and be protected. In “The Power of Identity Politics” by Garza, the ignorant white girl in the bar states that the political corrections went too far, and she doesn’t understand that identity is an integral part of politics. She only sees her perspective. She is privileged and pleads no guilt to the history white men made by controlling everything around them. It must be frustrating and infuriating for a black person to hear comments about history that is fake and unfair -like it’s normal. We read, “…identity politics is the radical notion that your experience and history shape your worldview and that those experiences will vary according to the power of a group or individuals in the economy, society or democracy.”