The readings this week were filled with great examples of privilege and oppression. In Marilyn Frye’s book “Oppression” she breaks down the circumstances that differentiates oppression from what may look oppressive until its viewed in depth. Some people use the word oppression loosely when it really means you’re being hindered simply because you are who you are whether it be gender, and race or etc. She tells us it is okay to acknowledge a person is experiencing an unfortunate situation without it qualifying as oppressive. Someone who is oppressed is caged in to a stigma of what the hierarchy of society expects them to be.  I remember a couple of times (not consecutively) going shopping and being trailed in a hair store, discount store etc. simply because of my skin color likely. That to me is oppressive not just unfortunate. I was likely followed because the notion is black people steal essentially I’m being followed just for being black. This would probably not be the case for a white person they are more likely to follow me. The same clerk following me can then turn around and say they are being oppressed for trying to protect their inventory and make sure no one steals so they are benefiting from making my shopping experience uncomfortable, not me.

            “White Privilege” by Peggy McIntosh speaks on the white privilege and power that white people do not realize they have simply for being white. McIntosh says there is an unearned power in being white and as a result, they should begin to think of ways to utilize that privilege and power in a way that brings equity to all races.   I don’t think I had a childhood where I could honestly point out being under privileged, but that is mainly because I was too young to understand what that even looked like. As an adult I see and recognize it more than I would prefer. Especially in the school I work in certain situations white parents are given the benefit of the doubt but the minority parents are frowned upon in the same situations. I will say it is not at the fault of anyone but society that this is the case. Society created the narrative of superiority in race and while there is no doubt we have progressed there is certainly a long way to go in achieving equality for all and it meaning more than words!!

I believe for Alok moving beyond the gender binary means society evolving, into a place where there is no longer fear of change and we allow everyone to identify as they truly feel themselves to be without stipulations or fear. As a result, we would then not let what patriarchal society has said to be normal continue to oppress those who don’t comply with being defined by body parts and societies expectations of gender roles. Alok says “People might tolerate the existence of gender non-conforming people, but tolerance is not the same thing as acceptance”. Tolerating people who identify differently means something totally different than accepting them into society as a constant normality, it shouldn’t be unusual to see someone expressing themselves outside of “societies normalcy”. Moving beyond the gender binary means inclusivity for all without scrutiny. My gender identity goes against the binary norm when it comes to the expectations one might have for a female. I am not soft and dainty as some may expect a female to be. While I do get my nails done and etc . One may say I have a rather aggressive presence and demeanor for a female. I do have feminine qualities about myself but my tone of voice is not soft it is deeper than that of a soft spoken females voice. I also prefer a short haircut rather than having a head full of hair. I follow the gender norms with formfitting clothing as society may expect a woman to. However, I do not wear skirts and heels often only on special occasions. I prefer sneakers and jeans almost always!!

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.

Hi everyone. My name is Miranda(pronouns she/her/hers) this is my third semester at BMCC. I am a mom of 1 and work full time. I am currently in pursuit of my associates degree in liberal arts (should be human services) something went wrong with my advisory. I will fix the situation shortly. I do believe the classes I am taking need to be taken anyway so I am not wasting time at-least. I work as a para for the DOE and am required to go to school to keep my job in good standing. Eventually, I would like to venture out of my current job and do something human services related. Family , education and honesty is what I value most. I dislike blatant disrespect more than anything. Currently I am taking this course as a requirement in pursuit of my degree, it peeked my interest most. I hope to learn many new insightful facts I can grow from and take with me on my life journey. One thing I have learned about college is you learn so many things you never would know went on in the world because no one ever talks about it. Looking forward to learning a lot!

Discussion #1