The essay, “Feminist Politics Where We Stand” bell hooks defines feminism as: “a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression.” I like this definition as it aligns with my own idea/definition of feminism. My interpretation of it is the goal is to be able to eradicate all of the discrimination, difficulties and oppressions that directly stem from the idea of women being “less than” and “inferior”. This dismissal of women and their rights is pervasive in all aspects of life, most dangerously in healthcare. We must break down our gender beliefs and expectations we’ve learned from society to be able to defeat/”end” sexist oppression, as it can have life-threatening consequences. Gender equality is a significant part of the feminist movement, but feminism goes way beyond that. I agree with the author explaining that her definition emphasizes that “the movement is not about being anti-male. It makes it clear that the problem is sexism (viii).” It is important to note that the early feminist movement originated from white women for white women. Ignoring the nuances race brings into the feminist conversation, they wanted to gain equality to men, while continuing to uphold the oppressive racial sexism against women of color.
I agree with the majority of the explanations of sexuality and gender throughout the article “Sex and Gender 101.” It highlights the important fact that biological sex, gender identity, gender presentation and sexuality do not always align. This is why it’s important not to base your assumptions off of your perceptions of someone’s sexuality, gender expression, gender identity and the gender you think they were assigned at birth (often referred to as “biological sex”)
I do feel the definitions of Bisexuality, and Pansexuality should be altered. Of course individual people can identify and define their sexuality as they want, however I think the definitions listed in the article are both inaccurate and non-inclusive as general statements. The article states that, “Bisexuality means someone is attracted to men and women.” This definition ignores the existence of non-binary people. Bisexual can be attracted to non-binary people too. I define bisexuality as the attraction to 2 or more genders. This could be a combination of: men and women, men and non-binary people, women and non-binary people, or all three categories. For some, the attraction to “men” or “women” can be more broadly expanded to the general attraction to “masculine” or “feminine”-presenting people. These words are still inclusive of non-binary people as not all of of them present androgynously. Some may have a gender presentation that leans to the masculine side of the spectrum, or the feminine side. Everything is on a spectrum. Some people may choose to identify as trans-masculine or trans-feminine, rather than calling themselves a binary trans man/trans woman (meaning 100% exclusively male or female)
The article states, “Pansexual means someone is attracted to qualties of a person rather than biological sex or gender.” I disagree with this definition. A common phrase linked to pansexuality is “Hearts not parts.” This can imply that people of other sexualities are driven mainly/purely by sex, and are dehumanizing people to just their sex organs, by prioritizing sexual attraction rather than overall attraction to the person (physical, sexual, emotional, romantic, mental, etc.) I would explain Pansexuality as an attraction to people regardless of their gender.
Either group can have a preference of what gender person they like to date, and still remain Bisexual or Pansexual. The mention that “some men have sex with men and remain but identify heterosexual”, reminded me of the idea that someone can remain heterosexual while dating a non-binary person. Ultimately it is up to oneself how they self-identify their sexuality and gender. Nobody can tell you what you feel.
Hi Dylan!
I found your ending paragraph to be intriguing. I learned about pansexuality a few years back when meeting new friends. The way I learned about Pansexuality was someone being attracted romantically or sexually to someone regardless of their gender, sexuality, etc. I found your writing very interesting. You pointed out many good points on different sexualities and gender.
Good Afternoon Dylan,
I really enjoyed reading your response. A sentence that stood out to me in your first paragraph was when you said ” We must break down our gender beliefs and expectations we’ve learned from society to be able to defeat/”end” sexist oppression, as it can have life-threatening consequences”. The reason in which this stood out to me the most was that it has been something that I’ve thought and pondered on a lot. Why must there be certain things that are either meant for only boys or only girls? Why is it that men need to be strong and show no emotions or else they’re too weak yet if a female does it they are seen as too emotional? I believe that we need to start looking away from all of that and simply allow people to live. Everything has different likes and dislikes so why should that also be influenced merely by what you identify whether it be a girl or a boy.
hey sofia 🙂
I like the question you included: “Why is it that men need to be strong and show no emotions or else they’re too weak yet if a female does it they are seen as too emotional?”
I agree this is a huge belief that we need to destroy but it is so ingrained in our society. Think about it, it’s normalized in all of the little remarks of daily life; A girl/femme being too emotional? Must be on their period, the phrases, “Man up!” and “boys don’t cry”, the insult “you throw like a girl” etc.
Men are blamed for being “emotionally unavailable and uncommunicative” when it is societal gender stereotypes that have shaped them to be that way!
I think one of the easiest things people can start with is stop saying the phrase “Man up!” and share with people it’s negative impact when you hear it being said.
Do you really think we must break down our gender beliefs and expectations we’ve learned from society to end sexist oppression? I think some of our gender beliefs are important. What kind of beliefs should we end that could help sexist oppression.
hey, i’m interested in hearing your examples on important gender beliefs. I can’t identify any gender stereotype/expectation that’s beneficial.
In the comment above Sofia shares a good example of these gender stereotypes/beliefs that are societally taught since childhood that are harmful: “Why is it that men need to be strong and show no emotions or else they’re too weak, yet if a female does it they are seen as too emotional?”
This is an important question and what we will be exploring this semester. There is a lot that is gendered that we just think is common sense, but it is really habit. It takes work, but we can see other ways. A lot of it is getting to the root. I think you are right to ask for examples and you will get lots of them throughout the semester.
I do think this is an important question. I think it is because sometime people make gender beliefs seem like its bad. I Feel like some beliefs have set morals that helped people carry on in this world. The example of telling a Boy he should be tough and grow thick skin, could actually be beneficial. There are many moments in the world where a boy or girl has to be tough, or the outcome will not be good for them.
I would say you can tell a boy to be tough as long as you also tell girls to be tough. You should also tell boys to be kind like we often do to girls. These attributes don’t need to be gendered, though they frequently are in our society.
Great points. This piece by Kyl Meyers is several years old. They might define those terms differently now and, as you said we all can identify and define as we want. I see your point about bisexuality. For me “Bi” implies a binary of man/woman and yes, does exclude nonbinary people. This is why “bisexual” never worked for me as a term. I always refer to myself as queer because, for me, that has the most possibility to encompass all the things I am, and feels best. Though I definitely understand your point and like your definition and you HAVE definitions. They are all totally valid. I know there are some elders who really hate me using the word “queer”. Thanks for this conversation! I’d also encourage you to reach out to Kyl Meyers on that site if you can comment. Share your thoughts!
Totally agree! I think queer is a very common self-identification today. I also use it. It’s broader, can encompass gender and/or sexuality, and doesn’t require someone to concretely define themselves. We are watching LGBT language evolve as time passes, and seeing the fluidity of it.
ohh yes we are its almost like an evolution. Growing up Once I saw Obama Became President and address certain rights. I understood Evolution was coming. I think this is a good thing.