Before watching the video I realized ways in which I am not privileged, but also the ways that I am more privileged in as a cisgendered, able-bodied, main language being English, lighter skin toned hispanic woman who was born in the United States. I have experienced more privilege than those who are disabled, those who have darker skin, those who are transgender, etc. I have access to clean water and food while those in Yemen/ third world countries barely have a roof over their head. I am privileged with a supportive family, a mother who financially supports me and makes sure I have everything that I need and would never force me out into the streets. I am privileged with not being discriminated against/killed because of my skin color or gender identity. For the ways in which I am not privileged as a lower class queer hispanic woman, I fear walking out of my apartment because of men, being lower class I don’t have the privilege the upper class/ 1% have, I lack the privilege of not fearing judgement/verbal abuse/etc if I’m with someone who isn’t of the opposite sex, as a woman of color I am constantly underestimated, judged and oppressed by white men and a system that was created for only white cis heterosexual men to thrive in, etc. In the reading Oppression Marilyn Frye, she compared being a women and the oppression that comes with it to being a bird in a cage “A woman can become caught in a bind where, no matter what she chooses to think, say, or do, a bar puts difficulties in her path. These barriers are often difficult to recognize, because it is not easy to perceive them as parts of a configuration and because of the attempts made to hide their more pernicious aspects.” (Page 10, Part one: Oppression, Marilyn Frye) She then goes on to say that the configuration also restricts men but the whole system was designed (by men) to benefit men. Another thing she says that stuck out to me is she describes the experience of those who are oppressed as “the living of one’s life is confined and shaped by forces and barriers which are not accidental or occasional and hence avoidable, but are systematically related to each other in such a way as to catch one between and among them and restrict or penalize motion in any direction.” (Page 12, Part one: Oppression, Marilyn Frye).

Introduction

Hello everybody, my name is Veida Garcia. I was born and raised in the Bronx, my pronouns are she/her, I’m 20 years old (turning 21 on 02/23) and I’m a pisces; I’m a twin and have 3 other younger siblings. I have 2 dogs and 2 ferrets. My mom was born in Dominican Republic and came to New York when she was young and is definitely the strongest and inspirational woman I’ve ever/will ever know, she helps those who are in shelters find homes and also helps them find jobs/ financial aid. I’m in my final semester at BMCC and I major in psychology; even though my forever dream is to be an actress which I decided to pursue during the pandemic. I love to read and write even though I haven’t been prioritizing lately but it is something that I really enjoy; and I’ve also been getting into fashion and makeup. I also love watching movies and listening to music, currently my favorite movie is between Shiva Baby and Tick tick boom. I also love learning/practicing astrology, tarot, spirituality, etc (I’m definitely not a professional but I’m still learning and it is very interesting).

The pandemic was definitely ver difficult I’ve always struggled with anxiety/mental health and it definitely got worse with the pandemic and everything that’s been happening in the world but now having to go in-person and go outside, its gotten easier even though some days are harder than other but I’m just trying to continue to live my life and stay present; but I definitely learned more about myself and who I want to be and the life I want to live, which definitely changed drastically compared to pre-pandemic me who thought she knew everything and was going to be a psychologist, etc. But I am glad that I chose psychology because of everything I’ve learned about it and it is very interesting. In person I do come off shy and closed off so it’s kind of hard for me to make friends because people think I’m rude but once you get to know me and I get comfortable I’m a different person. I have very strong morals/ beliefs that for some reason have been debated/challenged/politicized (feminism, lgbtq+, pro choice, raising minimum wage/affordable living, blm, free healthcare, etc aka basic human rights!) I am taking this course because I’ve always wanted to take a class like this and hear the perspective of others and learn more about gws and feel that it is a very important and necessary subject to take.