"Reviving Ophelia" by Mary Pipher:
I connected with a lot of what Pipher was saying. It's nice to know that inside a lot of the girls I wanted to be were probably going through the same things as me. The issues either exemplified myself or my sister. Amanda was humiliated by our parents whereas I was mocked for my close relationship with our Mom. She was smart and never let anyone convince her she couldn't do well academically whereas I fell in to the humiliation of being the "smart girl" that occasionally screwed up so I stayed in the middle of the pack as far as class went so when I did fail no one would notice. I think I still do that. I hate that at twenty-one I'm still fighting my identity. I hate college because I don't like to drink as much as everyone else, and I don't have friends because I work so many hours I can't go to activity meetings that occur during work hours. I've been here for three years and I am still so utterly alone and I do feel a lot the same way that I did in early high school. I keep telling myself there will be a lightning flash and I'll realize who I am, but I know it takes more work than that. I think I'm going to buy this book and read the whole thing. Maybe start therapy for myself.
"Alpha Girls" by Dan Kindlon
He has obviously never been a teenage girl. Yes, he interviewed a lot of very successful girls, and they seemed perfectly adjusted. But they all (with the exception of one) were upper class from families with education and resources, he was studying class not feminism. Of course these girls are confident they've gone to largely all-girl school which of course harbor more confidence and self sufficiency for women. He's a jackass. Those girls weren't going to tell him their problems in one interview, they don't trust adults, especially male adults, that much. He's clueless.
Soundtrack
"Mary Jane" by Alanis Morisette: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvu-ZvzJjFw
"She Talks to Angels" by The Black Crowes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1a76FeV2-Dw
"Wasted" by Carrie Underwood http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeavmGw2GUQ
"Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSG4Cml7HXs
"Give It Up or Let Me Go" by the Dixie Chicks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITAdd5a7pDs
"Wide Open Space" by the Dixie Chicks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlDPPu53V80
"Call Me When You're Sober" by Evanescence http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEoP43Pv57k
"Where is Your Boy Tonight" by Fall Out Boy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qGUVwUxmbY&feature=related
"Extraordinary Machine" by Fiona Apple http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWhMrLae-7Y
"Take me or Leave me" from RENT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CukH2QM7Ni8
"Virginia Woolf" by The Indigo Girls (no link available)
"Wonder" by Natalie Merchant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vx3ndjsalw
"Date Rape" by Sublime http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtb73qp0mmc
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
"Are We Postfeminist? Education, Work, and a Nation in Flux?"
Basically what Rowe-Finkbeiner is saying is that progress is being made, but slowly, and disproportionately. The question is, as a the third wave, are we satisfied with the rate at which changes are happening and with the advantage being towards white, educated women. The optimistic hope would be that as educated white women come to power that they will advocate for their "colored" peers, but I can see how that wouldn't be enough for those peers. I'm not sure if, being in the disadvantaged, I would trust that advocacy would eventually happen.
Then there's the Mom issue. I want to be a mother, but having grown up as poor as I did, maybe it would be better to leave that to women with money and to eventually adopt. It's amazing that women disclose anything in job interviews.
Questions, questions, questions, I just feel like that's all we get. There are no answers, there is probably an argument that it is our job that we answer these questions, but it seems so... pointless. Change is going at the pace that it will, so why keep questioning it? But then if we don't question will the change slow or overturn itself.
"The Politics of Black Women's Studies"
An Introduction to All Women Are White, All the Blacks Are Men, But Some of Us Are Brave"
Basically what Rowe-Finkbeiner is saying is that progress is being made, but slowly, and disproportionately. The question is, as a the third wave, are we satisfied with the rate at which changes are happening and with the advantage being towards white, educated women. The optimistic hope would be that as educated white women come to power that they will advocate for their "colored" peers, but I can see how that wouldn't be enough for those peers. I'm not sure if, being in the disadvantaged, I would trust that advocacy would eventually happen.
Then there's the Mom issue. I want to be a mother, but having grown up as poor as I did, maybe it would be better to leave that to women with money and to eventually adopt. It's amazing that women disclose anything in job interviews.
Questions, questions, questions, I just feel like that's all we get. There are no answers, there is probably an argument that it is our job that we answer these questions, but it seems so... pointless. Change is going at the pace that it will, so why keep questioning it? But then if we don't question will the change slow or overturn itself.
"The Politics of Black Women's Studies"
An Introduction to All Women Are White, All the Blacks Are Men, But Some of Us Are Brave"
I feel strange writing about the politics of Black women's studies. I mean I'm not black, and I've known few Black people and those that I do know I've never spoken with about how they feel about how they are presented, or that they're not presented in education. Reading this makes me want to call my manager Rita and ask her about all of these things, but I don't know if it would be a sore subject, or what I would do with the knowledge once I had it. A part of me thinks that of course there needs to be a Black women's studies class, but then I wander at what point do we stop specializing I mean with mix races and sexual/gender identities being what they are will we have to one day have a Native-African-Hispanic-Asian women's studies course as well. I mean I realize that it seems a bit out of the realm of what will come to be, but then again... not so much. I think the emphasis should be on balancing what already exists rather than further segregating and specializing things. When a course only appeals to one group others get lost, and interest usually doesn't sustain to keep the course going. I understand that concept that a white professor shouldn't necessarily be teaching about African American anything, but there are always panels and guest speaking that can be done. The reading moved me and I loved that it was more answers and definitives than questions, but I'm just not sure of the practicality of the assertions.
Academic Future:
I'm an English-Writing student and I think an important part of being involved in an artistic community, such as writing, is to be open to diversity and to be willing to learn about everything, yes I picked women's studies because it is more personal, but that doesn't keep me from being interested in Native/Aboriginal studies as well. I'm not sure if I'm going to go ahead with the Women's Studies minor as I had intended because I find myself more and more frustrated with the class and it's lack of action and continuing questions. I'm not sure if the idea is to inspire us to answer questions, but it is hard to effect change without a place to start other than questions.
Academic Future:
I'm an English-Writing student and I think an important part of being involved in an artistic community, such as writing, is to be open to diversity and to be willing to learn about everything, yes I picked women's studies because it is more personal, but that doesn't keep me from being interested in Native/Aboriginal studies as well. I'm not sure if I'm going to go ahead with the Women's Studies minor as I had intended because I find myself more and more frustrated with the class and it's lack of action and continuing questions. I'm not sure if the idea is to inspire us to answer questions, but it is hard to effect change without a place to start other than questions.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Past Presents
"Iron Jawed Angels"
I first saw this film when it premiered on HBO. I was thirteen at the time and searching for my place in the world. I went through my political idealism phase very young and it was during that part of my adolescence that I first encountered the concept of feminism. After the film I started looking around and seeing all the injustices of gender. Growing up in a trailer park outside of a suburban Oklahoma town there was a lot to see. Over the years I've mellowed and have realized change comes with time, but watching "Iron Jawed Angels" again, got me just as fired up as the first time I saw it. We owe so much to these women and to ignore it seem to be taking it for granted, but then I realize all things have cycles, after great activism there is generally a decline in public involvement until a time when resources can be replenished and a new fight can begin, I think my age group is on the edge of such a decline. We (as women) have been backstage laying ground work for awhile, but I think as we come in to our own, get our degrees and go out in to the world we are going to be stretching limits and creating foundations for younger generations to built on, whether we take center stage or continue a more quiet fight.
Manifesta's Dinner Party:
This article, well book introduction really, makes me want to start an organization here on campus. It creates the urge to form a bond and start discussion. I had an abortion earlier this year. I haven't told anyone, except my mom and my sister. I probably wouldn't post it here if I thought anyone would really read it besides Dr. Pendly and Yaisa, plus there are forty people in class and none of them know me. I'm ashamed and it's hard. I would love to have a group to talk to, a "judgment free zone" so to speak, but I don't trust that to be possible here in the bible belt, maybe it isn't possible anywhere. It's encouraging to know that there are amazing strong women getting together though, even if they're not raising revolutionary flags or leading protests, just to know that personal progress can be made and maintained and sympathized with.
I first saw this film when it premiered on HBO. I was thirteen at the time and searching for my place in the world. I went through my political idealism phase very young and it was during that part of my adolescence that I first encountered the concept of feminism. After the film I started looking around and seeing all the injustices of gender. Growing up in a trailer park outside of a suburban Oklahoma town there was a lot to see. Over the years I've mellowed and have realized change comes with time, but watching "Iron Jawed Angels" again, got me just as fired up as the first time I saw it. We owe so much to these women and to ignore it seem to be taking it for granted, but then I realize all things have cycles, after great activism there is generally a decline in public involvement until a time when resources can be replenished and a new fight can begin, I think my age group is on the edge of such a decline. We (as women) have been backstage laying ground work for awhile, but I think as we come in to our own, get our degrees and go out in to the world we are going to be stretching limits and creating foundations for younger generations to built on, whether we take center stage or continue a more quiet fight.
Manifesta's Dinner Party:
This article, well book introduction really, makes me want to start an organization here on campus. It creates the urge to form a bond and start discussion. I had an abortion earlier this year. I haven't told anyone, except my mom and my sister. I probably wouldn't post it here if I thought anyone would really read it besides Dr. Pendly and Yaisa, plus there are forty people in class and none of them know me. I'm ashamed and it's hard. I would love to have a group to talk to, a "judgment free zone" so to speak, but I don't trust that to be possible here in the bible belt, maybe it isn't possible anywhere. It's encouraging to know that there are amazing strong women getting together though, even if they're not raising revolutionary flags or leading protests, just to know that personal progress can be made and maintained and sympathized with.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Statistics: Media Rage
Okay, so first of all, note to anyone: Don't interview people just after reading disturbing statistics and being pissed off at the media, because it will only lead your older interviewee to chuckle and look at you as if you were a child learning to walk.
Pearly is the woman I interviewed. She is much past forty-five, but with mischief in her eyes wouldn't tell me how much past. She is the mother of my manager at Lane Bryant and an African American. She worked to support her family through several deadbeat male significant others at a time when women "just didn't do that sort of thing" she was fighting multiple oppression due to her gender and her race, but she didn't have the option of doing anything else. She constantly had to ignore men's ignorance and rude behavior from downright cruelty and sexual harassment, to the discourtesy of not even saying her name properly, but through this she has not become bitter. She is a loving caring, active member of her community. She has decided, however, that though she will vote, the fights of feminism are for the young. She claims to have fought her battles and has encouraged myself and her daughter (who is in her forties) that it is now our burden to bear and the future of respect for our gender (and their race) is up to us.
After the doing the reading I quoted her some of the arguments against feminism, those of our inability to cope with the responsibilities we fought for, and what the media had to say and while she couldn't recall having read a lot of them at the time, she said she wasn't surprised. She said of course the media and government want us to believe that the fight is over because they don't want to change. They don't want harder competition and the like.
Personally, I'm angry that I didn't realize these things were said. I'm angry that our budgets keep getting smaller and smaller. And I'm angry that I've let myself be duped in to thinking we're almost to equality when we're still so far from it.
Pearly is the woman I interviewed. She is much past forty-five, but with mischief in her eyes wouldn't tell me how much past. She is the mother of my manager at Lane Bryant and an African American. She worked to support her family through several deadbeat male significant others at a time when women "just didn't do that sort of thing" she was fighting multiple oppression due to her gender and her race, but she didn't have the option of doing anything else. She constantly had to ignore men's ignorance and rude behavior from downright cruelty and sexual harassment, to the discourtesy of not even saying her name properly, but through this she has not become bitter. She is a loving caring, active member of her community. She has decided, however, that though she will vote, the fights of feminism are for the young. She claims to have fought her battles and has encouraged myself and her daughter (who is in her forties) that it is now our burden to bear and the future of respect for our gender (and their race) is up to us.
After the doing the reading I quoted her some of the arguments against feminism, those of our inability to cope with the responsibilities we fought for, and what the media had to say and while she couldn't recall having read a lot of them at the time, she said she wasn't surprised. She said of course the media and government want us to believe that the fight is over because they don't want to change. They don't want harder competition and the like.
Personally, I'm angry that I didn't realize these things were said. I'm angry that our budgets keep getting smaller and smaller. And I'm angry that I've let myself be duped in to thinking we're almost to equality when we're still so far from it.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Voting Interview
Susan
She votes in every election-- local, state or national. She registered to vote the day she turned eighteen. She is also active in the military which I think adds motivation to vote because she interacts with choices that are made on a daily basis on a more personal level than the rest of us.
Rita
She hasn't voted since she was young. She thinks that the men in Washington are going to do as they please regardless of her vote. Since moving back to Oklahoma, three years ago, she hasn't even re-registered.
Lana
She votes in National Elections if she has the time, but otherwise feels that she doesn't have the time to do the research to make a truly informed decision and thus shouldn't vote.
LaDonna
Claims to have voted in every election, but has never mentioned politics and knows very little about local, state or national campaigns.
TJ
Votes often locally, state and nationally, but feels that is a private matter.
Rose
Has never voted. She moved to this country from Africa and doesn't feel very invested in politics.
Joyce
Votes in every election. Especially locally because she has six children who have gone through the public school system and works for the state as a counselor.
Bre, Rebecca, and Jamiece
Registered in high school, but haven't voted.
She votes in every election-- local, state or national. She registered to vote the day she turned eighteen. She is also active in the military which I think adds motivation to vote because she interacts with choices that are made on a daily basis on a more personal level than the rest of us.
Rita
She hasn't voted since she was young. She thinks that the men in Washington are going to do as they please regardless of her vote. Since moving back to Oklahoma, three years ago, she hasn't even re-registered.
Lana
She votes in National Elections if she has the time, but otherwise feels that she doesn't have the time to do the research to make a truly informed decision and thus shouldn't vote.
LaDonna
Claims to have voted in every election, but has never mentioned politics and knows very little about local, state or national campaigns.
TJ
Votes often locally, state and nationally, but feels that is a private matter.
Rose
Has never voted. She moved to this country from Africa and doesn't feel very invested in politics.
Joyce
Votes in every election. Especially locally because she has six children who have gone through the public school system and works for the state as a counselor.
Bre, Rebecca, and Jamiece
Registered in high school, but haven't voted.
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