In what ways does your gender identity go against the binary norm and in what ways does it fit the binary norm?

Moving beyond the gender binary for Alok talks about experiences as a gender-nonconforming artist. In this article Alok expresses how we need to not stop viewing gender in two ways which is normatively masculine or feminine. We must view gender in a creative form of expression and beyond a person’s gender. Alok discusses how gender preconceptions are dangerous and harmful. Many gender non conforming people face discrimination for being their true self and being comfortable in their own skin. Alok wants readers to address people how they want to be and accept people for who they are. Without feeling they fear for their life every time they step foot outside or being judged by others.

Identifying as a female has gone against the binary norm because I chose to comfortably over uncomfortably. Growing up I played basketball and mostly wore sweatpants and jeans. These two things led people to question me on if I’m gay or straight. I was always confused on why people assumed I was gay just because I chose to wear a certain clothing that makes me feel more comfortable than something uncomfortable. But I then came to a realization that social media has painted a picture in people’s heads that in order to be a female or girly you must wear skirts, dresses, and like the color pink. This is not true, this is a double standard problem today, many people believe women are not supposed to do things that men are doing like playing basketball or football would make you look “manly”. Women can’t wear certain clothes that men wear because it would make them look more masculine looking. I honestly believe as long as you’re comfortable in your skin and choose to do what you want in life nobody should judge you based on what you wear or look.

Being a female fits the binary norm because people are more used to the basic male and female gender. Now that there are different gender identity’s many people are not accepting it because they are used to old ways and old teachings.

After reading “Feminist Politics Where We Stand” Bell describes feminism as “a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression”. I agree with Bell’s definition of feminism because she explains that the goal of Feminism is to end gender based oppression and discrimination. Feminism is a cultural movement that challenges sexism and empowers gender equality. My definition of feminism is similar to Bell’s meaning because I believe that everyone should be treated fairly regardless of your skin and gender. Both sexes should be treated fairly regardless of their gender and in order to change this we must fight for equality. Feminism should be more supported by people because it promotes equality for everyone. 

I first heard about the word feminism in school when learning about women in history trying to end sexism. In history class the topic of feminism was in 1848 property rights and rights for women to vote. Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were both activist leaders of the women’s right movement in the United States. Their goal was to achieve voting rights for women as a congressional amendment to the constitution. 

What influenced women’s right movement was socialism, abolitionism, and enlightenment. Women were denied legal rights to vote, keep wages, have custody of their child, and own property. Men were looked upon while women were looked down as lacking mental capacity, being weak, and should only be a servant to their husbands. During the Industrial Revolution women were taken advantage of because they were paid one third half of a man’s salary when completing the same job. This reflects on what’s happening today; many women are still receiving lower pay than men. Women lives were unfairly constricted which led women to fight for their rights to live and work as equals. Both of these women gathered people from all over the world to help fight for equal rights and challenge gender-based oppression. 

In “Sex and Gender 101” by Kyl Myers taught me a lot about gender and sex. From reading the article I learned that gender could be broken down into three categories: “gender assignment, gender identity, and gender expression”. Before reading this article I believed that gender was just a characteristic of women and male but reading the text gave me a better understanding of gender. It went more in depth with how a person “gender expression can change over time”. People can identify as whatever they want to and choose their own adventures.

Hello, everyone! My name is Shanice and i am excited to be a part of this class. A little bit about me: I am from Brooklyn, Ny, and currently in my second year studying at BMCC with a liberal arts major. i prefer to be called using pronouns she/her. I decided on taking this gender woman studies class because it seem very interesting to learn about sexual differences, gender, masculinity and femininity. I am looking forward to learning and participating in this class, and i can’t wait to see what we will accomplish together. One thing you may not know about me is i like to design clothes and in the future i hope to come out with a clothing line. One thing i dislike is being around negative thinking people.