Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok expresses that moving beyond the gender binary for Alok means having to coexist in a world as a person who does not fit in to the conventional gender binary. Alok delves into some issues surrounding his everyday life, as a person who moves beyond the gender binary and is proud to. One problematic statement Alok addresses, that people still cling to is the following, “It’s common sense that everyone is a man or a woman.” The problem with this belief is that it has been interpreted as the status quo for so long that although it is not true, it has been accepted and thus, it has been the norm for years. It is as though we fail to realize however, that discrimination, slavery and genocide were the direct result of an incorrect opinion that was widely held for long enough.
We truly do express and experience our gender in different ways and that is because gender is fluid and complex, even for those who identify as cisgender. The aspect of my gender identity that goes against the binary norm is the part of me that does not and could not ever fathom telling someone that their identity is false, a costume or a spectacle. I have never understood the means behind criticizing someone who is simply living their life, as they have every right to. Ways in which I fit in to the binary norm is that I identify as a female and always have. I have always known deep down that my gender is female, therefor I believe that aspect of my gender identity fits in with the binary norm.
Hi Daniela,
I appreciate how concise you’ve made Alok’s point on gender binaries. As far as what our social norms today are in expectations of. As well as what we as different individuals are expecting those in our society to react in hopes of some sort of general acceptance. I feel as though your ultimate point on behaving with someone differently due to what they’ve decided to conduct as is in a way morally unacceptable. As long as a person isn’t using their identity in any criminal way, shape, or form. I also feel as though we should allow those people to live as they please, all being freely.
Hi Daniela I loved your use of the phrase ‘status quo’ and ‘the norm,’ it’s one hundred percent true, so many people are uneducated about the gender binary that they probably aren’t even aware it exists. Your other point about how the incorrect opinion being spread can lead to more serious things like genocide and slavery was also very well stated. We all really do experience our gender differently and while there are similar experiences not everyone’s is the same.
Hi Daniela,
I like the way you used “status quo” for the general and very wrong statement about it being obvious that everyone is either man or woman. We absolutely do experience our gender in different ways, it is fluid and complex!