The piece I’ve chosen for this week’s discussion is called Love Is In The Air by Banksy. When I was younger my mom let me watch the film Exit Through The Gift Shop (I highly recommend you all watch), about his work and the meanings behind them. I was fascinated that someone could remain unknown yet his work speak so loudly. Banksy is pseudonymous, and was born in the United Kingdom. The majority of his work showcases activism without using text. In the piece I’ve chosen, we see a masked man throwing flowers, when really one would assume it was meant to depict a bomb. It can be taken as “spread love not war”. This reminds me of riots in the 60s, but instead of causing pain he is throwing a symbol of peace.

In our two readings for this week, I noticed a commonality. People begging for their voices to be heard, and to be treated with a general respect. I was surprised to learn that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, black women are more likely than any other group to have C-Sections when giving birth. It is still a question of why is that? Why is it almost normal for black women to not have a natural birth? Or for Doctors to assume that this is the only way? And if the C-Section is off the table, why must labor be induced? I also was shocked by the comments trans people wrote in response against the proposal to legally deny trans people health care. For a trans person, there should not be an ultimatum. To be cared for professionally and respectfully, or die. Many of these people also included their line of work, who they are as a person in society, almost begging for their presence to be seen as valid. Even someone who was in the USA Military is asking for the right to healthcare. So you let trans people fight for your country, but deny them the right to proper medical attention?
It was difficult to watch the film Period. End of Sentence, because of how none of these girls or boys know what a period is. Some relate it to god, or an illness that women endure, calling it “bad blood”. They continuously relate menstruation to religion, that they cant pray during their period because they are seen as dirty. It is very controlling and these woman have little to no freedom. I think that control is a big factor around women’s fertility, independence, transgender bodies, and obstetric racism. Women are penalized and judged for having a period, which is inevitable, normal, and healthy. Trans people are treated poorly regarding medical attention and health care. Black women and people are blatantly disrespected and neglected in birthing sessions, forcing them to make rash decisions towards their pregnancy and birth. The list goes on and on. I finally got a breath of fresh air when the man who created the low cost napkin machine appeared in the film. Seeing the women learn and understand what pads are, and making them hands on was a big sigh of relief, they deserve to have basic tools to care for themselves during their time of the month, and to know what it is rather than see it as something bad.

I wanted to learn more about the injustices women and trans people endure in healthcare and in terms of fertility- Prof. Waychoff provided us with just that. In the two readings and the film, we get to hear real stories from real people- taking these injustices outside of the USA and showing us that there is a real lack of education among these topics. Trans people must be recognized and respected in health care. Black women should not be scared of doctors and hospitals. People all around the world should receive a legitimate education on menstruation.

When we were first introduced to identity politics I had trouble overcoming the urge to directly relate it to Politics and kept trying to understand how our government plays a role in these topics. The government definitely does play a role, but in the conversation of identity, we zero in on the groups created in order to move away or break free from societal norms and traditions. In The Power of Identity Politics, Garza thoroughly explains the experiences of those who do not fit the idolized image of a white man. They show us how exercising power within identity groups is stronger than an individual trying to have their voice be heard. Williams on the other hand gave a very personal example of how she was directly affected by the judgment of her identity. By standing her ground and not allowing these stereotypes negatively impact her, she was able to use her power in a positive and effective way.

I would love to dive into the topic of reproductive rights and trans rights regarding healthcare. I do not hear about these issues enough in mainstream media. Recently… as of yesterday, Oklahoma passed a law to make abortion illegal. It hurts my heart to see women’s rights yet again in the hands of white men who should have no say in what a woman is meant to do with her body. I think this also could relate closely to society’s standards of how women should look, filters and apps that completely distort the female face have a really negative impact on young and old generations. I feel that these are ways to barbarically enhance the natural features we are given at birth, without surgery, and set an unattainable standard of what men seek.

In the Combahee River Collection Statment, we discuss major topics regarding Black feminism, what they believe, their politics, the problems that occur within the history of this collective, and the issues and practice. The quote, “We might use our position at the bottom to make a clear leap into revolutionary action. If black women were free, it would mean that everyone else would have to be free since our freedom would necessitate the destruction of all the systems of oppression.” must be broken down by each sentence. A Black womans position is systemically at the bottom. Combahee explains that there are no other environments in society that are anywhere near compatible to the struggle of a Black woman. At the bottom, the only way to be recognized and appreciated would be to fight the entire world that is constantly working against them. Their position at the bottom evokes “revolutionary action”, in that, if everyone was free, Black women would be too. Their freedom would break down the systems of oppression that have been built upon for centuries.

The Combahee River collective explains the concept of identity politics by turning their focus towards their own identities, rather than working to end the oppression of others. This is a step for radical change because it is dangerous. They are worthy of taking their own politics and the political movements from the past to liberate themselves and be recognized as human. Their love for themselves and their community allows them to continue their struggle and focus on creating change from within. In Paris Is Burning, the queens and mothers of the house use their identity politics to set boundaries inside and outside of the safe space they created. We also see identity politics when we hear the stories of those who long to be remembered for what they did for the people of the ballrooms. Many explain how they wish to be recognized as feminine, or want to be famous from all corners of the world. Within the group they created they are able to make these fantasies their ultimate reality, focusing on those who love and care for them helps to make their identity politics flourish in a safe space.

Capitalism constantly profits off of race and gender. We see this every time we go into a drug store, or in ads on the Subway. Marketing is a major part of this. For example, if a white man owns a brand for Black hair products, he is using Black people to pose on the labels and advertisements of the products, while he profits from the consumers; Black people. This also goes hand in hand with gender. Companies market baby items as pink and blue so that the consumer has to pick between limited options, rather than making the items gender neutral. Another major example of this is Amazon. Many minorities work under the umbrella of jobs that Amazon provides, but get underpaid and overworked. The cooperation is worth billions and yet we still see unsafe working conditions while workers are not compensated properly.