Reflection 1
In the essay “Feminist politics Where We Stand” Bell Hooks defines feminism as a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression. After reading the chapter I think Hooks is defining feminism as a movement that is or was intended to rid/readjust the way the world views and values gender roles, patriarchy and expectations as a whole. Not only in the workplace, but in all aspects of life. Hooks says “I liked this definition because it did not imply that men were the enemy. By naming sexism as the problem it went directly to the root of the problem” (1). The movement is not only geared toward shifting the view of men but more-so anyone who harbors the same beliefs of a sexist or oppressor be that male or female. I knew some things about male oppression prior to reading and aligned feminism with rebellion against that and equal job pay/opportunities for women. I never thought it was just a group of angry females, but I did believe it was about equal pay and job opportunities. However, after reading this chapter I see the bigger picture behind the movement has no specific targeted gender and it is meant to encourage a progressive mindset that views everyone with equity no matter your gender, orientation, race etc.
Reading “Sex and Gender 101” was insightful. Prior to reading the article my thoughts on gender were everyone should be free to identify as they truly believe themselves to be. The article helped to affirm that belief. Intersex was what I found most insightful I knew some people were born with both genitals on occasion. However, the fact that there is no such thing as normal genitalia made me think because it is not so common to out- right know a person is intersex some people would argue that is in-fact not normal when in actuality it is. Also I pondered the idea of the gamble it must be for a parent to assign a sex to an intersex child with the possibility they grow up identifying opposite of the sex chosen for them Would they resent their parents for choosing wrong? The article also helped with understanding different terms and ways that some people may identify for instance “cisgender” while I have heard the term I was never clear on what it represented or meant only that It had something to do with gender representation and the article helped me to understand the definition. My thinking was cisgender coincided only with the LGBTQ. I now know a heterosexual identifies as cisgender as well.
Hello Miranda I like how you framed that statement “Feminism is against anyone who holds the same patriarchal view and oppressors” . It’s true that there are women out there that are helping reinforce the system that is hurting us. I also found the sex and gender article helpful and learned from it.
Hi Miranda, I totally agree with you since feminism is having the quality of genders and rights so that you can live in peace and harmony. I feel like it’s like you say that feminism is more focused on making anyone see how important it is to be able to give rights to everyone without exception to anything. While it is Sex and Gender 101 I feel that in itself, I see that in this article they focused on placing the beliefs that society has about gender. I was also not sure about cisgender being next to heterosexuals as well.
Yes – cisgender just means that your gender aligns with the sex you were assigned at birth. Most heterosexuals are cisgender.
Hello Miranda! I enjoyed reading your post. I agree with you, feminism is not about going against men. As Hooks said in the book, we all have been raised under a patriarchal system so men and women can have some sexist ideas. Feminism tries to deconstruct these ideas and create a new foundation where there is no oppression based on sex and gender.
Hi Miranda! This is a good post and I agree that feminism is for everyone doesn’t matter that their sexuality or race. When reading the essay bell hook wrote you can see the truth of what feminism is all about!
Hi Miranda,
Thank you for sharing, I not only enjoyed reading your response but appreciated it as well. I also agree with you on the idea that after reading Hooks essay I understood the true idea of feminism; the whole bigger picture behind the movement. Regarding the essay “Sex and Gender 101” by Kyle Myers I also thought it was insightful and helped me refresh my memory on what I already knew.
Hello Miranda,
I enjoyed reading your response. I also agree with your statement that anyone could be a feminist if they wanted to they could. I also loved the point you made that feminist isn’t about attacking men.
Hi Miranda! I love the way you explained how feminism doesn’t target any individuals but is more interested in the equity of everyone. Especially including patriarchy and those who share the same beliefs as the oppressors. I think it’s an important distinction!
Great! Just want to note that equal pay/opportunities for women are very much part of feminism. They just are not the only part. And they will only allow us to deconstruct sexism to a certain point.