Author: Jasmine Maldonado

The workshop allowed me to reflect on my own growth, not only in romantic relationships but also in friendships and family connections. It was amazing to acknowledge my changed perspectives, which have been a product of my hard work to address personal traumas. Also, it was a great experience to go through internally, but the fact that I was able to take part with such an open and amazing group of people felt very liberating. Professor Munshi and all of our classmates have created a welcoming and safe environment, which in turn has allowed me to utilize this workshop and share my personal experience of a damaging father-daughter relationship. Even in an all-virtual classroom, I have gained feelings of being open and protected by all of my peers. Just as much as this was important to me, I hope that all could take away a sense of connection. Knowing that we are not alone and can all support one another in our journey to become kind humans, to others, of course, but especially to ourselves.

I watched the film Anita, Speaking Truth to Power, where I was immediately brought to tears the moment her family walked into the senate room. From how she spoke about her families’ consistent support, to the friends that spoke out as a witness and stood beside her. Even while the white men who sat behind the table and their status, Hill never wavered from what she came there to do. Her sole purpose what to speak her truth, to make the public aware of who would be representing them, and ultimately creating a space for not only women but Black and marginalized women to feel as though they too could speak out.

Anita Hill speaks briefly to say that women should not view her story as a loss or be discouraged. Still, I believe that in viewing her story it allows one to ignite a fire, force change and eliminate stigmas crowding sexual assault issues. (In the workplace or domestic.) As we were made aware, Anita’s story at the time had been a taboo subject among men in Washington. They were not well equipped or, as Anita puts it, not well informed to handle such a nuanced issue in the public eye. They continually tried to use Anita’s experience to humiliate her and tamper her reputation in the public/media. Even after her 9 hr “interview,” which seemed more like an interrogation. Hill would have preferred to go back to Oklahoma, go back to teaching; however, the media and reporters had other plans. Even though this seemed like something that would completely shift the trajectory of Hill’s life, she used this as an advantage to speak loudly about what can be done to change the legal system and help sexual assault survivors.

In class, I would like to talk more about the prison system. Even though I have yet to watch the film Out in the Night, prison systems mishandled many issues, not just violence against women, specifically Black and marginalized. I believe the way it is used causes more harm, such as how prison is experienced for those with disabilities and the lack of mental health support to those who more often than not lack the resources elsewhere.

Growing up in the South and now living in New York, I have been able to gain perspective on the many forms of social constructs of gender and sex. What does it mean to be a woman? That color is “masculine” or “feminine.” “You look like a boy,” and the comments go on, and they continuously push the notion that Gender Identity is to be held within a box. I believe that gender identity is a form of expression, just the same as the choice of clothing we wear. The colors we chose should not and are not connected to any sex or gender.

After listening to the “Edge of Sports” podcast, I learned and expanded my own knowledge of the trans community’s negative effects as athletes. I don’t believe this is talked about enough, specifically cis and trans women athletes. The harsh rhetoric that says that young trans people should be excluded from women’s sports, even to say that it is just for and advocates only for cis women’s safety, is horrible in itself. We should be thinking about all WOMEN’s safety, including trans women; they are women. This is the same problem with restrooms where we are only thinking of the safety of cis women and whether or not they would feel comfortable. We neglect how we force trans men and women to feel uncomfortable and chose not to go because they are fearful because we aren’t protecting them, their lives, and their rights.

Heyy Everyone!

I can’t wait to read what ya’ll have shared, I’m sure I’ll be inspired one way or another:))

Personally, I love running in the park and finding a spot to meditate afterward; I have found that this helps me begin my day feeling grounded. Something I desperately need quite a bit of.

I also love exploring; I’m not originally from New York, so I have a lot to catch up on!

• love finding new places to get food
• thrift shopping, clothing, decor, or vinyls
• cool scenery (perfect photo-ops)
• Museums! OBVIOUSLY

Maybe once the weather is a bit nicer, I’d be down for a Covid friendly meet-up in the park. Ya’ll seem super kind and funnn!

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.”

“But there are other Christian women scattered over the Southern States, a very large number of whom have never seen me, and never heard my name, and who feel no interest whatever in me. ‘But I feel an interest in you, as branches of the same vine from whose root I daily draw the principle of spiritual vitality—Yes! Sisters in Christ I feel an interest in you,”.

Angelina Grimké, Appeal to Christian Women of the South, 1836

While reading Angelina Grimké’s words for the first time, I immediately understood the type of person I was listening to. Soon after, She also says, “it is not written in the heat of passion or prejudice but in that solemn calmness…”. True to heart words that deeply crave understanding and support. She speaks to Christian Women of the South to take part in mending the wrongdoings done by their legislation. Pronouncing it a “great moral conflict,” in which it is but appeasing their Christian obligation. Their Christian obligation to gather other Christians, using the Gospel and calling upon change; for it is right and just.

“when unwelcome light is pouring in upon the world on the subject of slavery…. We must come back to the good old doctrine of our forefathers who declared to the world, “this self-evident truth that all men are created equal, and that they have certain inalienable rights among which are, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” It is even a greater absurdity to suppose a man can be legally born a slave under our free Republican Government, than under the
petty despotisms of barbarian Africa.”

Angelina Grimké, Appeal to Christian Women of the South, 1836

I understand the sentiment behind the words our forefathers and its use by Angelina Grimké but it leaves me wondering if it was with the idea that “all men” was to include Black Men and Women. I don’t believe it was written with the intent to include any man who wasn’t white. So is this a call to change that narrative as well? Is it the start to change and enforce the idea that when we say “all men” it is to include Black Men and Women?

What has happened to the meaning of “Oppression”? How has it affected women, and how can we now steer the narrative to where the message is “sharp and sure”? Frye explains that the term “Oppression” has now been stretched to meaninglessness. Unfortunately, leading to the thought that most if not all are being “oppressed” in various ways. However, this is not necessarily the case. As Frye points out, being oppressed is much different than varying degrees of societal stress and frustrations. The way I see it, women and men are both held at mainstream standards; however, if a woman breaks those standards, she runs the risk of losing her career, “ruining” her reputation, being labeled as difficult or hysterical, etc.

…

I believe that Lorde’s essay leads with the thought that people who fight with the notion that “Oppression” is a competition ultimately can create a further divide, which holds us further from “liberation and a workable future.” Progress towards change can only be achieved when all who are oppressed work together to fight as one.

When I read Lorde’s following statement-

“Within the lesbian community I am Black, and within the Black community I am a lesbian. Any attack against Black people is a lesbian and gay issue, because I and thousands of other Black women are part of the lesbian community. Any attack against lesbians and gays is a Black issue, because thousands of lesbians and gay men are Black. There is no hierarchy of oppression.”

I immediately thought of MLK’s inspirational words, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” And after reflecting over Lorde’s essay, I found myself thinking of the times in my life I have heard “allies” say they “do not see color” I consider how this statement actually does more harm than good. If you don’t see color when you attempt to think outside of your own life experience, how can you see me and the experiences I have faced from being a brown woman in America? If we cannot see diffrences in others, such as race, gender, sexuality, etc. Then how will we effectively manage to change the narrative so that it promotes understanding and acceptance?