Women’s liberation is elusive because we frequently forget what it means. The Macho Paradox, written by pioneering anti-violence educator Jackson Katz, contains the opinions and experiences of women and men who have tackled the subject from all angles, as well as talks of contemporary events in politics and pop culture. Or, to put it another way, we can’t remember something we’ve never had. As a result, one’s vision is stymied from the start. This international celebration, on the other hand, is powerful as a reminder of women’s battles. It’s also useful for men who sincerely respect women (and have overcome the caveman effect) to provide their own support, questions, and opinions on the meaning of womanhood and gender equality.

I enjoyed the reading that we had this week and it was kind of informative to learn about the history of feminism. The term/topic of feminism gets a bad reputation because of patriotic groups.

I think the most interesting reading this far was “The Macho Paradox” since it talked about a topic that most would find uncomfortable to discuss. I feel like this is an article that deeply explains everything about how the porn industry is just filled with a lot of pedophilia and sexism. I think it’s great to spread awareness of these problems within the porn industry especially. 

This week I learned more and understand that we are going to go deeper in the history of how feminist thought has developed over the years.  I read a chapter out of Jackson Katz Book “The Macho Paradox” Claiming how men need to read this book to make it safer for Women and how it will Also Free us. So, after reading the Chapter available to me I can say that Yes, My perception on Men’s Guilty Pleasures and its effects on Women and society Has changed , because I’ve gained more knowledge on how Pornography, prostitution & stripping disrespects women, shapes false views of what men want, effects young children developing , making these things we see on the internet from the porn industry almost seem like a Norm when in reality its kinda violence against women. Around the age of 10 I could see how Porn affected my mentality a little bit growing up until I gained more understanding of what’s right and wrong at the right time when it’s not too late. I’m sure this has affected other young boys giving them ideas of violence and making things like prostitution and more not seem very Bizarre As they become older and accessible to other things. In general Katz Has many interesting points that can change young men’s view on certain Pleasures. 

This was one of the toughest readings I have done in this class I was extremely confused but I am going to write what I understood. What I read was about the history of feminism. To my understanding, feminism is described to be a women’s collective activity to advance women’s condition. I understand this meaning to be that feminism is based on women’s business that can help advance in different ways and help have more equity with males.

In my opinion, not all females are feminists. We just want to be treated fairly and have the right we deserve. Again this assignment was very difficult for me to understand.

As I read “The Macho Paradox” by Jackson Katz, it is effortless to read a person from what they enjoy. As the first line said, “It has long been understood that what people do for entertainment- and sexual pleasure- can be shockingly revealing” (Katz). From what people enjoy, you can see what they like and what they don’t like. The likes and dislikes can call out a lot about what that person is like. Similar to when talking about porn, you would be surprised by how someone is viewed compared to how they are in private. For example, the porn industry mainly focuses on pleasing the male population and assuming what the female population is like. Most of the videos include things that sexually stimulate a male and won’t work the same way for a woman. When it comes to prostitution, most of the people brought into it are doing it for survival, while the ones who “buy them” do it for pure pleasure. It says a lot about a person. Again Katz states, “It has long been understood that what people do for entertainment- and sexual pleasure- can be shockingly revealing.” Most people, especially women, feel ashamed of what they need to do to please another. It stated how we feel embarrassed because most likely, our fathers and brothers have also searched videos of female degradation or paid for the service. But there is a lot of things we all keep in secret, but the important part is to help those that are willing to change, and not shame. We all have things we need to work on.

As I read Jackson Katz “The Macho Paradox,” I was pleased to see that the topic of pornography and prostitution came up. This is because Jackson was delving into the uncomfortable topics that are taboo yet are responsible for a multi-billion-dollar industry that capitalizes off of women. The “sex industry” directly impacts early sexuality for many and is not at all a healthy or fair representation of sex. This to me, reiterates why the history of feminism is so important- because of the equality and respect that is not always given to those who are in front of the camera, making these industries millions of dollars. Whether or not this topic is viewed as uncomfortable, it is a discussion that must be had since as per the reading, “the vast majority of people who rent or buy these sorts of videos are men.” One individual in particular that comes to mind is Bill Marigold who openly declared that, “I’d like to really show what I believe men want to see: violence against women.” So, if this is truly the case, and men want to view this then this goes to show just how important the feminist movement is. Men and women alike need to understand the importance of the origin of feminism because it is directly tied to such pressing topics such as the porn industry and the lives of sex workers who are fetishized but not truly seen.

Reading through Susan Barber’s 100 Years towards Suffrage: An overview, made me think about last week during our content on activism when our first reading opened with a statement expressing that every liberty and right that exists today is a result of someone who stood up and fought for it at one point in history. To think back to when men were given the opportunity to vote in 1870 yet how Jim Crow laws still prohibited Black men from exercising their right and how women such as Susan B. Anthony and Sojourner Truth entered voting sites demanding ballots really put these sacrifices into perspective as it is a right granted to us all now but not too long ago, a hurdle in the way of the Black community and women everywhere. I learned about Ida B Wells’s continuous perseverance as an African American investigative journalist in the civil rights movement and how she essentially became prominently known for her activism for the advancement of the black community especially women. Reading about the feminist waves once again brought up the intersectionality within the many different characteristics and definitions of feminism that are in place for the term. Claire Goldburg Moses’ What’s in a name?: On Writing the History of Feminism addresses how the movement’s definition has evolved, intertwined and separated those essentially fighting for similar if not the same causes throughout the decades. She asks if naming the movement is more important than its goals of protecting and serving the oppressed.

The reading that really caught my attention this week was “It’s Time to End the Long History of Feminism Failing Transgender Women” By Tina Vasquez. One major point that we also saw in our discussions and readings about activism is that you can’t pick and chose what you are supporting. As a feminist and an activist, you are meant to stand up for anyone who defines themselves as female under the umbrella of gender identity. It was shocking to read Dana Taylor’s story in how she is transgender and identifies as a transexual separatist – I had never heard this term before reading about it today, but also wasn’t surprised that there are transgender people in the world who believe that society is better off not allowing trans people to participate in spaces intended for women. I think this relates closely to other movements from the past such as “separate but equal”, this was a gimmick in order to give African American people the bare minimum of freedom while not allowing them to participate in any white spaces. Maybe Dana Taylor thought it would be less confrontational if trans people separated themselves, but the entire point of equality is allowing trans people to live out their real authentic lives, and to celebrate their confidence.