• What is meant by the following quote?: “We might use our position at the bottom to make a clear leap into revolutionary action.  If black women were free, it would mean that everyone else would have to be free since our freedom would necessitate the destruction of all the systems of oppression.”
• What does the Combahee River collective mean by “identity politics”? How do you see this operating in Paris is Burning?
• What do race and gender have to do with capitalism?

I think that quote means that Black woman as a whole march in everyone’s rallies and marches because that’s how strong they are as a whole. They don’t just fight for one cause that benefits them they fight all causes, and until everyone is freed from under the Foot of the systematic oppression as it were then no one is truly free. Side note the treatment of black woman in America was and continues to be in my opinion disgusting. We can go as far back as when it was documented that Doctors in America would not give pregnant black woman the proper or if any medications during child birth because they did not feel pain as much as everyone else. Or how the fashion of black woman is ghetto or urban until it becomes a trendy fashion show catwalk idea , and then its called brilliant or new age.

Identity politics refers to the connection between social issues such as racial discrimination, homelessness that plague a certain group whether it be female or Gay. Allot of the issues we have been reading about surround particular mistreatments of certain groups are shown within this film. I have actually heard about this film when i was younger and actually love the soundtrack . That is the type of music i would hear in my house growing up. I never even knew house music was popularized in gay clubs i just knew i loved the music and that some of it reminded me of freestyle music which i also love. Identity politics was captured in this film by them as group having this common bond , this gathering of people that are in one way or another dealing with similar nightmarish social issues, childhood trauma, not being excepted for who they are by there family and society.

Race and gender are forever intertwined with politics . In the eyes of politics it enables people to be put into certain social classes i believe. Its your modern day caste system. Which by design exploits the underprivileged. It just so happens that the underprivileged are usually brown people, female , or gay. Ill never forget that reading where the quote basically told us that we are the cogs in the machine and that there really is no big corporate scary devouring beast its only us, we are that machine . If that’s the case then this quote

The liberated woman is a woman that is not chained to her kitchen cubicle. A liberated woman controls her own destiny. A liberated woman is empowered and refuses to participate in acts of stereotypical servitude . She refuses to depend on the security of others. The liberated woman liberates other woman. The liberated woman does not hold all men accountable for the subjugation some woman willingly take part in. The liberated woman does not preach about woman empowerment while simultaneously knocking them down . A liberated woman pushes for woman’s equality and does not waiver her on her morals.

The liberated woman is vital to the woman’s liberation as an example of triumph. The liberated woman would be something for other females to strive for which would spread attention and gain support to the movement as well. A liberated woman free from social biases would shatter societal standards and push the boundaries that once prevented the female gender from reaching their full potential. It is only by becoming a shining example that could bring about such a change. Only by having large numbers of support does the world take oppression seriously .

“The Politics of House work” demonstrates that something simple as doing chores as something demeaning to woman, something they are supposed to be doing because they are woman . The traditional ways woman are looked at in society are the same even within the privacy of her home. Though i can empathize with her frustrations this piece should really be called, “Men leave the seat up! , the movie”. Their are some parts that are downright ridiculous and rather disrespectful at times. For example

“Man’s accomplishments have always depended on getting help from other
people, mostly woman.

Nikola tesla’s inventions , Michelangelo’s Sistine chapel , geometry, man discovered the constellations. I was with her in the first half until it turned into a man bashing piece as it usually does. Another point was her wording of “All men “. As in

“In a sense, all men everywhere are slightly schizoid-divorced from the reality
of maintaining life. This makes it easier for them to play games with it”.

She doesn’t know all men and the men she thinks she knows is portrayed like an idiot caveman correctional officer. That neither knows how to debate or be in a relationship with another person . This example i guess it fits perfectly with her narrative of implementing her personal experiences as facts.

ANTIONE MALAVE, Reading Reflection 7

The article was intense it was until I saw the graphic visuals that I really put into perspective the type of danger that was imposed on those people. The blessing in disguise was that after that happened the laws and regulations changed. We have them to thank. Apart of me thinks new regulations need to be applied from more current labor horror stories that involve big tech, sneaker and fashion design. I feel like the emotion stirred up from seeing the peoples arms out the window of the burning building and then seeing them jump for there lives is something that will stay with any viewer for a while as it should. It was captivating and heartbreaking that they were the sacrifices that brought fourth future preventative danger. It also needs to be said that usually the solution only happens after the tragedy, which is sad.

• How are suffrage, labor rights, and the equal rights amendment related?
• How/why are labor rights also issues of gender justice?
• How do you see these historical issues enacted in today’s society?

They are related to being laws or policies that were implemented and fought for due to the inequalities that plagued them. What they also have in common is that those rights and amendments are still being challenged today. All three of them have in common that they are shared injustices.

Imagine if everyone supported each other, not just online sending money i mean in real time marching with them. I think that anytime there is an issue with how people are treated regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, it should be a world issue to take on . Imagine protesting as a unit for your fellow man , woman whatever you call yourself. If that were to take place (I am doubtful but still hopeful) allot more laws would either be changed or eradicated all together. Usually woman are paid less to work the same hours as a man . Unequal pay scales, maternity, the inability to vote. Add that to the fact that woman essentially are looked at beneath men.

While there has been tremendous amount of progression as far as some of the historical issues are concerned. I feel as thou I have stated previously that in some cases the original idea and energy placed into fighting these movements have become a bit of a mockery. With the original ideas or aim for a specific movements being hijacked and changed to fit a different narrative. Another issue that seems to go unnoticed is that the policies/laws only really start rolling into effect after something horrific happens .(I am not trying to be a Debbie downer I swear) As was the case in the Triangle factory fire. It was only after the deaths that the government felt it needed to respond by having policies and laws put into place. While I don’t mind seeing protests everywhere especially the larger scale ones the do not dare show on American television the injustices would cease if we were unified and everyone was fighting on the same team

The first episode of my newly directed political reality game show, the first of its kind called “Pour decisions”. It will feature five personalities from various racial, religious and gender backgrounds. These 5 guests will discuss topics ranging from todays political climate, dating, racial issues, music, ..nothing will be off the table. Seems like your normal reality show but there is a catch. Before a topic pops up on screen the guest are dealt five cards with specific instructions on them. For example a card in the deck may say ” the person whom you give this card to is no longer allowed to talk while using there hands” . If they violate these rules they are to do a shot. Perhaps a guest is in the midst of a heated debate regarding gender fluid bathrooms and they use their hands. They must do a shot but what if that guest has a double shot card in their deck?. The double shot card can be used in response, freeing you of any violations and given the opposition a bit more a buzz then they had hoped. Their are various scenarios similar to this that in my opinion put a friendly twist on tense discussions. Their is also one card in the deck that is a super ultra power card. What is the card you ask, and why is it called this magnificent name?. I am glad you asked, lets say for instance the holder of this card does not like the response of a guest regarding the question of female oppression this card allows the holder to distribute an edible to that person. The show should run about an hour. I would say this would need to be on a network like HBO or Netflix for its raw content , it would be even more exciting if we eventually got celebrities to take part in the debates . Fortunately or unfortunately we live in a time where celebrities are politicians and are allowed to speak for the masses. This kind of talks need to be had , especially now where people are afraid to actually have them. I feel this would be a beneficial to the world right now and comes on around 8:00pm on Thursdays.

After viewing the reading and watching the film activism I define it as a united response to unfair oppression that brings about social change.

The film united in Anger documents the Aids activist movement “Act Up” . The film gives you meaningful and sometimes heartbreaking interviews. It also shows you the rebellion activist side when and what heart they had to actually do some of the things they did . One such act that comes to mind was them being able to make fake id cards to sneak into a television studio. They new they had only a few seconds and get their message out to the world . The message had to be loud and enough to draw attention and curiosity. They executed the plan perfectly so much so that their news clip was actually seen in another country. In depicts the loss , the unity , the struggle , the marching , the signs. It perfectly sums up what activism is about, using their voice to protest the harsh realities they were facing along with power they had while unified. I think too many times we campaign for our own issues and no one else’s and that’s where the togetherness comes into play. Activism includes Standing with each other on multiple issues regarding oppression. This can cause a larger impact in my opinion as power in numbers can enable the message to be delivered globally reaching a larger number of people. I think realistically If I had the time and I do not , but if I were to engage in the activism that is gender justice. I definitely would like to do something that I have not seen before. For instance a round table meeting with people from different ethnic backgrounds, gender, religions what have you and we would discuss gender, racial , news topics while drinking wine and or liquor . If you have already figured it out the tone of my show would be more inviting , friendly perhaps a bar type atmosphere. I feel like every time you see people discussing these type of sensitive issues they are always screaming at each other nothing every gets solved. Why not introduce a few elements into the equation while discussing to make things interesting. it may not even have to be an alcoholic beverage it could be a board game I am just trying to cut the tension and even the playing fields a bit . That is something I haven’t really seen done on tv and or a podcast before i think it would bring some people together instead of providing more distance . The name of the show would be called “we-u-night” it would be hosted at night something different to have different sides speaking there points that was fun and interesting instead of the same old boring ping pong hearsay would be refreshing

The reading entitled “Patriarchy, the System: An It, Not a He, a Them, or an Us” (2014).. This reading without a doubt struck a cord with me . The author attempts to get you the reader to investigate the root of the what actually is patriarchy while deconstructing its perceptions. A quote that stuck out to me

“we obsess over legal debates and titillating but irrelevant case histories soon to become made-for-television movies”.

I can also concur that we tend to point fingers at the killer instead of what negative social elements created the killer. Another element of the reading I found intriguing was how people always address the system as the oppressor but never consider that there are people conscious or unconsciously participating in there own oppressions. I am not saying it is not true I am saying there is a reason that “The system” is successful. The amount of people that are willing to try and fight the system pale in comparison to those willing to jump inside of it .

It is important to recognize patriarchy as a system and not an individual identity, because we all of us make the social system happen. We are the moving cog pieces within “The system”. We consciously and unconsciously participate in the system on a daily basis. We power “The System” and we do not have any idea how much power we actually have together , “The System” is not some omnipotent destructive tool put here for our demies.

I
have learned that sexism and heterosexism both arise from the same source as
racism.
This quote that raised my eyebrow, add this on to the fact that the author explains that within the lesbian community she is black , within the black community she is a lesbian and any attack against black people is a gay and lesbian issue. I loved this because She is essentially fighting the multiple causes that effect her instead of just one. We have to fight every form of oppression not just the one that benefits us. For example if your fighting for a cause that eventually goes away while knowing of other oppressions people face you, ignoring those oppressions due to the triumph of your own makes you less of a person. I can see that point but then also one could actually say in response to that , if no one showed up to my rally why should I show up to theirs? . The privilege I have experienced from a of experience from a patriarchy standpoint would be to freely blanket the internet with my thoughts freely and without consequence while simultaneously having anonymous people agree or disagree with me. I could basically say what ever i feel, spread misinformation and someone someone would agree making other people agree and or disagree. In that same vein I could also be inquisitive on why their are campaigns for the sensor of internet or free speech. The reading patriarchy, the system made me look at the privilege oppression video as somewhat interesting and senseless at the same time. Interesting as far as knowing what people defined “privilege” as and knowing that “oppression ” is thrown around far too much. The part i found senseless after reading the material was that there was not a clear solution on how to fix those problems just a reply and how it made them feel, which means those issues will still continue in a sense.

These readings went well with what seems to be the theme of “oppression”. This time thou “oppression brought his friend “white privilege” with him to spice things up. I understood what they were trying to imply within the context of that video. there are various forms of privilege that apply to different people ethnically and also how they grew up. It had me intrigued i thought the message could have been executed a bit better but i understood what they were trying to accomplish. The Marilyn Frye had some good points in it as well camouflaged under the finger pointing and scolding of men being unable to rebuild themselves. I am starting to despise the word “oppressed” i feel like the people who are actually oppressed don’t even use it half as much as we do in the states. Even thou Peggy McIntosh poses questions that will make the average reader unaware of the level of racism that may be endured by people of color and i enjoy that . At the same time she seems to also carry an invisible knapsack of white guilt which i thought was annoying .