Second Social Justice Event: Suffragette

In early November, I went to go see Suffragette, which was . When I got into the theatre it was interesting to see others around me. It was interesting because others found an interest in a movie that is complete based on women suffrage. 

Suffragette is based in early 20th-century Britain. The film is about the growing suffragette movement changing the lives of women forever. The women in the film take part in the early feminist movement in which they need to pursue in a dangerous game against the increasingly brutal state.

After watching the movie, I went home and thought about the ways in which this movie connects to the discussions in our class. After going through articles and notes, I found that the movies connects with Johnson’s article, Privilege, Power and Difference, and also with the theme of feminism.

In Johnson’s article, Privilege, Power and Difference, he talks writes that we are all part of the problem, and that us individuals really don't understand that we are the problem. But, then he goes on to say this: “The trouble is rooted in a legacy we all inherited, and while we’re here, it belongs to us. It isn’t our fault. I wasn't caused by something we did or didn’t do…it’s up to us to decide how we’re going to deal with before we collectively pass it along to the generations that will follow ours.” Johnson is basically saying that we as people need to make the right choices because it will affect incoming generations.

Now, this article applies to Suffragette because that’s exactly what these women did. They chose to become part of a feminist movement would greatly affect the futures outcome.

Also, this film connects with the theme of feminism. The theme of feminism can be described in many ways; however, according to the film feminism is a “push.” It’s a path that people tread to make things right in society.

The film connects to feminism because that’s what the film is about. In the film women push to make things fair and just for themselves. They believe they deserved more respect and that’s exactly what they fought for.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3077214/?ref_=nv_sr_1

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-JcBFAuLc-0U3o3NW1ka0UzZTQ/view

Combatting Intentional Bigotry and Inadvertently Racist Acts

By Fletcher A. Blanchard

I feel like now a days racism it taken to a whole other extent. I feel like people minds are fogged by the opinions and the opinions of others. People are literally taking racism to a whole other level. That level is making things worse. Racial segregation is real. It was real in the 60s and it's still real today. Some may argue that it's actually worse. Now I don't know about that, but what I do know is that racism has to be deal with. There needs to be some kind of middle group between all the different races.

To be honest, I feel like sometimes white people are blamed for no reason. People get so sensitive now a days. It's like one moment you say something and the next someone is getting in your face because they think you said somethings racist. It's literally ridiculous. People need to realized that. Blanchard article totally helped me to connect the dots of racism today. It just makes me sad to see the way things are turning out.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-JcBFAuLc-0UWxEQ0lsdmJsSzQ/view

I'm sure there are some of you out there that don't agree with me. But, just realize where I'm coming from. Are there any of you that agree with me?

Interrupting the Cycle of Oppression: The Role of Allies as Agents of Change

By Andrea Ayvazian

This was a very interesting text. It cools to know what exactly an ally is. According to Ayvazian, an ally is: a member of a dominate group in our society who works to dismantle any form of oppression from which she or he receives the benefit. That's pretty clear. I feel like this connects to me in a way because I am a while male who is Lutheran. And I don't follow in the footsteps of many hypocritical while people now a days. I am one to stop violence even if it mean that I may get hurt. That's just how I've always been. It was cool to read this article and figure out what an ally really is. I feel like I fell right into the definition! Also, I strive to be a good role model for those who are younger than me. I don't want to see someone grow up to be a jerk.

I really like when Ayvazian wrote: "Being consistently conscious." It just makes me think that we as people need to know exactly what is going on in order to stop something from happening. We need to, in Ayvazian's words, take risks and be smart. I couldn't agree with her more.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-JcBFAuLc-0Rm1PRjhIeTJKTVU/view

What do you guys think about allies? Do you feel that they are important to keep things moving forward in our societies?

Are any of you allies?

Ferguson’s Sex Wars

I was a little confused as to what information was being presented to me. I knew about all these weird sex practices, I just never really thought anything of them.

However, after reading this article I started to think: "Is this really how it is?"

Anyway, I really like how Ferguson broke down the two feminist groups. I got that basically in a radical feminist point of view that women are sex slaves and are prone to sexual male violence. Also, I got that in order to be in a good relationship, the two partners have to be equally consenting and emotionally involved. Continued, to have sexual freedom each partner has to have equal respect for each other.

The libertarian-feminist point of view is different. This is give complete freedom to each consenting partner. The sexual practice is base off of what they want in that moment. It basically says to eliminate all moral judgements and restrictions to create an equal environment for all.

I got that radical feminists value the emotion intimacy more than that of libertarian feminist who value pleasure.

Personally, I agree with radical feminists because I believe that there is more to a relationship then just the physical part. However, that isn't to say that physical attraction isn't a big part of a relationship. Basically, to me there needs to be a balance between the two.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-JcBFAuLc-0SlpYYkEwNmFFeGM/view

What are your views on the bond between partners? What would you consider yourself a feminist point of view?

Kimmel & Tough Guise 2

I see the similarities in both the article and film. I can see that they both seem to focus on the ways men misinterpret growing up. How society basically shields their growth process, and turns them into undeveloped, bad men.

I noticed that Kimmel's article seemed to focus more on the ways men can develop and have developed in society for the better. I read that men basically need feminism to develop correctly. I truly believe this. Men need feminism to understand the day to day struggles of women and to do their part to stop the madness.

"Therapists advise anguished parents about boys' fragility...Boys, we read, are depressed, suicidal, emotionally shut down."
This quote directly goes with the film because of how boys act. When undeveloped, boys tend to act like a total nutcase. I mean lets be honest, when a boy is not brought up on good, solid morals, does he usually turn out okay? The answer is no.

"To hear these critics tell it, we're no longer allowing boys to be boys. We've misunderstood boy biology, and cultural meddling--especially by misinformed women--won't change a thing."
This goes with the film because the film depicts bad boys. Boys that are misunderstood. Boys that misunderstand life; that were taught the wrong way. And truly they aren't allowed to be real boys because they don't know how to be.

"Feminism encourages men--and their sons--to be more emotionally open and expressive, to develop empathic skills, and to channel emotional outbursts away from violence."
This goes with the film because it basically a guideline to become a better man. If the boys in the film were taught that feminism causes a man to be less violence and more open with their emotions, they would not have done the things they did.

I think that this movie really connects to this website called Worldstarhiphop.com. This website basically features fights (mostly men). I will post the website showing you what its about; however, view at your own risk...

http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/

Anyway, I feel that this connects to the movie because the guys fighting are fight to see who is alpha. They can get seriously violent at times too. I feel like this is blinding the younger men of today because they see these videos and they think that in order to be a alpha male, one would need to destroy another person. This is not right. It ruining the minds of young men. Is that what they are going to think manhood is? I really hope not.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-JcBFAuLc-0VHBlS2p2bFl1eEk/view?pli=1

Hopefully one day the morals of men will change. What are your taught on this subject matter? Do you think that if men were brought up through feminism that they would be a more caring, loving, and open man?

First Social Justice Event: UnSlut: A Documentary Film

On October 28th, I went to the library and watch the film UnSlut: A Documentary Film. This film was created by Emily Lindin. This film is about the sexual shaming and assault of girls and women in the United States and Canada. This film mainly focuses on a young woman named Rehtaeh Parsons, who unfortunately took her own life in 2013 due to the shamming and abuse.

The film itself is around forty minutes long. So, myself and others watched the film, and then proceeded to talk about it and its relevance to our society today. Many women in the room actually talked about them being slut shamed. However, us students used those examples to apply it to events that happen today. We basically talked about how to see and stop shaming and assault from happening. It was very interesting to hear other peoples’ opinions on this delicate subject.

This definitely connects to an article and theme that we have discussed in class; them being: Frye’s, Oppression, and the theme of oppression. I feel as though Lindin’s film, UnSlut, connects to those two because of these examples. 

In Frye’s article she discusses that women a fundamental claim in feminism is that women are oppressed. In Frye’s seventh paragraph she states: “It is common in the United States that…younger women, are in a bind where neither sexual activity nor sexual inactivity is all right. If she is heterosexually active, a women is open to censure and punishment for being loose, unprincipled or a whore.” Frye is basically saying that either sexual activity or sexual inactivity may potentially classify a younger woman as a whore or slut. Frye goes on to say that the younger woman may have to lie to her parents about what is going on. 

To tie into UnSlut, the example of lying or hiding from parents ultimately led to Rehtaeh Parsons's suicide.

Also, I would stay that the film connects to the theme of oppression. The theme of oppression is this: “oppression is against the ideals of humanity because it prevents people within the oppressed group from being fully human.” I can definitely see how that theme applies to many women. Every day women are oppressed and unable to be themselves. In the film, many of the women were crying because they felt that they couldn't be who they truly were inside. They felt as though they did not belong.

This film was incredible. It shows that things are all what they seem, and it shows us how to fix these problems.

http://literacle.com/literary-oppression/

http://www.unslutproject.com

Cinderella Ate My Daughter

By Peggy Orenstein

Why is it that girls go through the "princess stage?" This actually goes back to the idea of Generation M. The film shows us how the media and entertainment is affecting childrens' minds. This is exactly what is happening to these young girls. Most girls go through that stage where they want to be what they see. If you were to go to Disney World, I guessing that more than half of the little girls there would be in a princess costume (most likely Anna from Frozen). I mean if I was little girl that's who I would want to be. Also, this goes with Tough Guise 2 as well. I know that that movie is about boys but it still is on the same idea. The idea that child are growing up learning the wrong things through people and things in the world.

The children of our society are getting brainwashed by advertisements and adults.

Anyway, my point is that almost all girls go through that stage where they want to be what they look up to. And to be honest, I think that just part of life. If I had a daughter and she want to be a princess, I would let her be one.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-JcBFAuLc-0c1NiUF9nNFBnUE0/view

Also I forgot to say something about this. Pink. Why do little girls like the color pink so much? Because older people have said that pink is a girl color, either by getting them things that are pink or just by telling them that they should get pink instead of blue. A color is just a color people.

What do you guys think about what I think? What's your opinions on this situation?

Midterm Mapping

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BVWHavVPoW5z3ErZyHY8L-Ej5YPAQripGb3udVbUFKY/edit

The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House

By Audre Lorde

By reading The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House, I have come to an understanding that no matter what women can take the hardships and turn them into strengths; in turn, to temporarily get a man off guard. However, as Lorde said, "The master's tools will never dismantle the master's house." This quote is saying that a man can be beat for a moment, but that "win" will never bring a significant change in a household or the world for that matter.

Also, Lorde goes on to say, "...Adrienne Rich pointed out in a recent talk, white feminists have educated themselves about such an enormous amount over the past ten years, how come you haven't also educated yourselves about Black women and the differences between us---white and Black---when it is key to our survival as a movement?" This is very true because without the knowledge of other races hardships, how will there be any forward progress in society? Also to add, Lorde writes: "Racism and homophobia are real conditions of all our lives in this place and time. I urge each one of us here to reach down into that deep place of knowledge inside herself and touch that terror and loathing of any difference that lives there." She is basically saying that we need to reach deep into ourselves to fix the problems that exist in the world and in us.

As a whole, women have to know exactly what other women are going through to get what they rightfully deserve.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-JcBFAuLc-0TEFBU3R5X1c0TlE/view?pli=1

The points that Lorde made are completely true. There is no forward movement without the knowledge of what is going on around you.

Also, why did Lorde capitalize black women and not both black and white women? Is it to make is stick out more to the reader? I don't think that's it.

Compulsory Heterosexuality

By Adrienne Rich

I found this article to be confusing, but after reading Shamonique's blog it clicked a little. I was a little shocked at what Rich was saying. She has valid points, but still seems like that naïve person that everyone hates for their dumb views on life. I really like the quote Shamonique used it really shapes the article and makes me very pissed. The quote is, "the lesbian is simple acting out of her bitterness towards men." I found that to be a bit disturbing. I honestly want to punch Rich in the face because one of my greatest friends is lesbian and she isn't angry or disappointed with men, she just likes women in a sexual way. This is when I get really pissed at the world because of people like Rich. Don't listen to Rich be gay if want to, no one is going to stop you.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-JcBFAuLc-0SjlNWHFSYi0zWXc/view?pli=1

Does anyone else agree with what I'm saying? What are your takes on this article?

U.S.A., Land of Limitations?

Nicholas Kristof

I agree yet disagree with Kristof. I do agree that they should be talking about opportunity for future generations at presidential debates. However, I disagree with Kristof saying that America is not a land of opportunity. Yes our government is corrupt and strictly politics, what one isn't; despite that, any person can make it in the world. It doesn't matter where you came from, or who you are. The only reason I believe this is because there have been stories of people raising to get their shot. 

Now I could see this as feminist issue base one what we were talking about in class. Basically women do not get treated the same way as males do. It would be very hard for women to make it to the top of the business world based on the information Kristof has stated. I do agree slightly with the fact that women don't get many opportunities, but I still feel that they can make it if they worked for it; just as anyone can.

Kristof article connects to People Like Us in way that you are born to what ever you're born in to. But like I said it doesn't mean you pick up the pieces.

It seems like the program offers information on history, culture, and issues in the working field. The program is designed to give you a better insight on the working class studies.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/opinion/sunday/nicholas-kristof-usa-land-of-limitations.html?_r=2

I would really like to know what exactly you all think about this topic. Do you agree or disagree with what I'm saying?

Generation M: Misogyny in Media and Culture

A Film By Thomas Keith

Wow. Its stunning to see how mainstream everything is. I mean I knew about how things were with entertainment, but actually discussing the issue makes me a little uncomfortable. I makes me think about subliminal messaging (existing or operating below the threshold of consciousness; being or employing stimuli insufficiently intense to produce a discrete sensation...: a subliminal stimulus; subliminal advertising). The certain mainstream things can stimulate sexual activity and violence. The mainstream American entertainment hyper-sexualizes girls. The documentary puts that all together to tell the audience what happening in these modern times. However, the film does help give tools that help when talking about these issues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEd2ZGLsUew

What do you all think about this topic? Do you think that it's subliminal as well? Also, why do you think that modern media is doing this to our generation?

Oppression

Marilyn Frye

While reading this article, I couldn't help but think of the Middle East. I've seen movies, heard stories, read articles, watched the news...the list goes on. My point is, I've heard and seen things that happen in those countries. I feel that what I've heard and seen goes directly with what Frye wrote about. The women in the Middle East are trapped. In Frye's article she talked about how women are trapped, they know that some way, some how they could get out, but if they try they'll could get hurt. That is disturbing. Those women aren't worth anything to those men; they are just objects.
Fyre shows what oppression is by explaining the root; which is, press. To press something is to mold, flatten, or reduce it. That directly ties into what I was saying before about the women in the Middle East. Most women there are treated like shit. They aren't worth anything besides a caretaker. That is discussing. I wish that could change.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-JcBFAuLc-0WV9DM0hwV3RrSTQ/view?pli=1

I know that oppression is happening in the United States as well. Women are being misread and mistreated. People in our world pin assumptions on women without any recollection of who they are or what they do.

What are all of your opinions on oppression in the United States and Middle East? Do you think people know what the word really means and how is applies to our lives? Have you ever seen anyone being oppressed?

"Fear of Feminism: Why Young Women Get the Willies"

By Lisa Maria Hogeland

The author, Lisa Maria Hogeland, argues that young women today have been affected by feminism. She says that the idea instills fear into their minds, which I will completely agree with. I could definitely see what she was getting at. Hogeland talked about how suggesting feminism to young women can be a lot to ask of them. She goes on to say that young women may be a afraid of being feminists because they will be judged and called names. But she also explains that being a feminist takes work. You will be mocked but you must persevere. Her point is to encourage feminism but to also tell the younger generation that the work of feminism is for the greater good.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-JcBFAuLc-0U2hwWUZlcGhTc1U/view

Hogeland article had a great message under it. She let her readers know that people fear being mocked for what they believe in. For example, younger girls are scared to be a feminist because of homophobia. This is true, but think about the big picture too. People are scared to be what they want to be because of others being jerks.

The younger generation people who are afraid need to know that there are people out there, actually a lot of people who will support them 100%. Don't worry about that hand full of people that think they're right. Be who you want to be, and don't let anyone change your mind.

"The F-Word: Feminism in Jeopardy"

By: Kristin Rowen-Finkbeiner

I thought that this article was extremely interesting. While reading it, I actually felt quite uncomfortable. I felt this way because in high school we didn't talk much about these feminist movements in my U.S. History class...to be honest it seemed like all we talked about was the railroad. But that is besides the point, going off what I said before, why didn't we talk about it? That is what makes me feel uncomfortable. It gives me the feeling that there are still some sexist activities going on. There should have been chapters upon chapters about these feminist movements. Instead there were about 2 to 3, and maybe a point here and there throughout the textbook. It is such a sad thing think about because those were peak moments in history for women. Kristin Rowen-Finkbeiner shaped this article in such a great way. She made sure that the reader knew exactly what happened and how important it really was. Some of the things in her article I had no idea about. Something should be done about that.

file:///C:/Users/Ginger/Downloads/Rowe_Finkbeiner.pdf

The women back in the day fought for what they believed in, and men and women are still practicing those beliefs today. Where would these women be without their faith? They are extremely strong for what they did and those women deserve to be remembered.

Today people are still fighting for what they believe in. Years from now, they will still be fighting. Hopefully one day this on going battle will come to a halt. It makes you think though. Where would women be if they did nothing?

Where There's a Will, There's a Way.

Hello everyone! I am Kyle Buonfiglio. I'm a music education major, and my main instrument is voice. Now...that is what I am known to be in college to those who are just meeting me, but really I am a fun loving, friendly guy. I love to make people laugh. I guess you could call me normal.

The reason I joined this class is because I am tired of people getting ridiculed for no reason. I want this class to teach me more on the subjects of feminism and gay civil rights. I already support, but I want to learn how to support even more. This class is truly going to be great.