To simply state it: Woman have a say in what role they want to play.
In “The Politics of Housework” and “I Want a Wife,” I found that the two focused on how we have been conditioned to think, act, and in the end, where we saw ourselves “fitting in” when it comes to, what society saw as the ideal relationship.
I believe that “I Want a Wife” leads with an ironic and incongruous theme, simply with how it is a list of what the “perfect Wife” does; I experienced a wanting to challenge that common thought. I understand the irony but is there we can disassociate being a Wife and having the sole responsibility of tasks limited to family and home? Here we read about wanting a “Wife” rather than a partner who would support equally and lessen any burdens for the chance to achieve personal, spiritual, and career goals. These thoughts throughout my experience led me to think about relationships that I have seen that challenge numerous systemic, cultural, and societal expectations. My grandfather, a Vietnam Vet and a true “Man,” do the laundry for the household without fail or complaint. While I don’t believe in commending what is right or fair, I find that seeing this simple balance in their partnership is something to appreciate even as an older generational and Hispanic couple.
In “The Politics of Housework,” I contemplated moreover the manipulation that comes with “keeping your man happy” or “fine I’ll do it myself.” Many of the comments proposed the narrative that men will play this incapable role to squirm out of simple house chores. Do I sense a “Damsel in Distress”? “Look at me! I’m trying my best, but I just can’t do it like you.” Convincing with flattery to get the Women to play their “rightful role.”
LESLIE FEINBERG INTERVIEWS SYLVIA RIVERA:
Reading this filled me with many emotions but ultimately left me feeling inspired. To read about Riveras experience growing up in the 60s-70s, a Drag Queen and treated with such degradation from such a young age. I think how we have been able to get to the present day’s progress with revolutionaries overcoming incredible oppression such as Sylvia and Marsha P. Johnson.
“They were actually afraid of us at the time…a lot of people forget that for 45 minutes we had them trapped in there.”
