In Feminist Politics: Where We Stand, Bell Hooks defines feminism as “a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression.” The goal is to stop discrimination against sex and gender. It’s about all genders having equal opportunities and rights, not about being anti-male. The movement is about seeking freedom from and dismantling the patriarchy that underestimates women. Before reading Hooks’s work, my definition of feminism didn’t go beyond the word equality. I felt as though the definition always involved economic rights and equal pay, but it’s so much more than that. Hook mentions liking her version of the definition because it doesn’t imply men are the enemy. For the movement, we want men to join us. This is a fight that benefits everyone. “To understand feminism it implies one has to necessarily understand sexism.” and that line right there is where the misinformed should start.
Before reading Sex & Gender 101 by Kyl Meyers, I wasn’t entirely educated on the different sex chromosome variations that intersex persons can have. Meyers mentions that intersex variations are considered to be as common as red hair, so it’s pretty concerning that it took me so many years to learn about it. I believe that a lot of the information throughout this reading should be taught at a young age. I now understand the difference between gender assignment, gender identity, and gender expression. All of which allow a person to identify as they please, something everyone should be allowed to do without unwanted opinions. “Gender expression can change over time, just as sexual orientation can fluctuate over time.” Although I’ve always believed this, I’ve never actually read about it before, and I really enjoyed how informative it was overall. When discussing sexual orientation, I appreciated the definitions as I was able to really understand what pansexuality is;when someone is attracted to the qualities of a person rather than biological sex or gender. As I was reading this, I kept asking myself, why do some people think they have the right to comment on how a person identifies? Why are there people who are offended by someone else’s sexuality? Why does someone else’s body and their choices affect these closed-minded people? It’s incredibly frustrating that there are people who could read the same thing I just did and decide they disagree with literal facts. After reading these pieces, I look forward to having conversations with the people I surround myself with.
Lizbeth, I really enjoy how thoroughly clear and thoughtfully you brought all points together. I enjoyed reading the articles as well and found them to be very informative on topics I haven’t familiarized myself with much. I also had thoughts similar to yours when reading Sex & Gender 101 about why anyone seems to feel like they have the right to impose on someone else’s gender or sexuality. It is frustrating when it is a basic right and that shouldn’t be forgotten.
Hey Lizbeth it completely slipped my mind that Meyers said “intersex variations are considered to be as common as red hair,” until I read it again in your reading response. Thinking about how many times I’ve encountered a natural ginger in my life, (it hasn’t been too many but it’s closer to some than none) you’re right it’s a pretty common thing if we compare the two. I also think that a lot of the material in “Sex in Gender 101” should be taught at a younger age, (like you said) I learned that stuff in my junior year of highschool but kids should be informed about this at minimum age thirteen.
Hi Lizbeth, I have similar feelings about the readings. I love the info about “intersex people being as common as redheads” It always shocks people to hear. We all think “well I don’t know someone like that” when chances are we are just unaware that the person is intersex. I touched upon an individuals right to self-identify in my discussion post too. Nobody can tell you what you feel inside.
I agree with you on the article Sex and Gender 101 by Kyl Meyers that some of the information should be taught at a young age and that there are some people that will literally disagree with facts thrown at them.