In our first assigned reading, “Sex and Gender 101” by Kyl Myers, Myers briefly speaks about the complex differences between a person’s biological sex, gender and gender identity. People who might be less educated on the topic like I was before this reading would assume a person’s biological sex is usually determined by their external genitalia, which is correct, but would not know that sex is not limited to just male and female. Intersex, another term used to describe biological sex, can be when a person’s sex hormones don’t “match” their physical genitalia, when they have characteristics of both male and female reproductive organs and sex hormones, one less or one extra sex chromosome or simply when they have ginger hair. Myers makes it a point to emphasize the fact that a person’s sex can be changed through things like medication and doesn’t have to be restricting. Gender assignment is when people are expected to act a certain, stereotypical way based on their physical genitalia. For example, boys are usually expected to like cars and be dominant while girls need to be soft and domestic because of certain gender roles that have been in place for centuries. However, many people including myself don’t really fit in with the stereotypical idea of what a woman should do and act like and their gender identity and gender expression differ from that given to them. Gender identity, how a person thinks of themselves, can also be totally different from someone’s gender expression, how they show their identity. I’m not sure if this is the best example, but I consider myself a bisexual woman but has recently only dated or talked to men. This shows how easy it is to confuse the terms but how important it is to know the difference when addressing to or talking about others.

In chapter 1 of bell hooks’ “Feminist Politics: Where We Stand”, hooks speaks about how feminism has lost its meaning and purpose over time. hooks defined feminism as “a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression”, one that could not be possible without the union of women from all different races and with progressive mindsets. So many people have this misconception that feminism is an anti-men, equal pay type of movement and don’t realize that feminism actually aims to help understand why sexism between women is just as prevalent and how this needs to be solved and brought to light if sisterhoods are ever to be had. Without women supporting other women, the feminist movement cannot possibly efficiently work and make change. I’m not lying when I say this short read was so powerful and full of knowledge that I want to myself try and be a serious feminist advocate for myself and the women around me. I knew women supporting other women was important, but I’m just now realizing how much we really need it.

Hello everyone! My name is Rutdany Peralta and I am 19 years old with a couple of tattoos that I love and believe show my individuality. My family immigrated from the Dominican Republic when I was 6 years old and we’ve lived in the Bronx ever since then. For 2022 I decided I wanted to travel and really get to know myself more. So for January break, I went back to visit my family in Bonao, Dominican Republic for the first time since 2012. It was such an amazing and humbling experience in which I realized just how American I’ve become. It was shocking, to say the least, how disconnected I was from my roots and how much I couldn’t relate to certain things. Going to a new place everyday and meeting a bunch of wonderful people made me realize I have to step out of my comfort zone and really try to make friends; friends are such a huge part in our lives as adults because they contribute to our happiness. Those 2 weeks in DR taught me more about life and myself than the past 2 years have in the Bronx and to me that says a lot. I can’t wait to learn more about myself.

Currently, I am a Liberal Arts major who’s still undecided as to what I really want to do. I’m a really indecisive person so my academic and personal interests are always changing and make it hard to choose what I want to do/study for the years to come. However, in the next couple of years I hope to see myself making a difference and helping children in need whether they’re in the foster system, a bad home or just need care. I’m super passionate about this and it’s unsettling to me knowing there are children without a home and in much need of love and care.

I’m looking forward to taking this class and learning more about the reasons and theories women are so marginalized in various parts of society and how possibly about myself.