Event #2

1) Describe the event:

My second event was I went to a kids fashion show and let me tell you that before this class I probably would have thought it was all cute and fine. I have a goddaughter who just turned 8 and she is a twin so they invited me to their fashion show their daycare was having. So I said to myself why not I will go for support.

            I knew right off the back it would be interesting to attend because my goddaughter and her twin are nothing alike. Her twin is a girly girl always dressing wearing dresses and the whole nine yards while my goddaughter refuses to even wear her hair down at all. So, I was curious and said to myself I needed to go see this.

            Just as I thought all the little girls were in dresses and make up. Not one little girl had jeans on or anything other than a dress. Maybe before this class I would have been fine and thought not one thing was wrong with this. It made me even think of that show on TLC called “Toddlers and Tiaras.” I thought for sure my goddaughter wouldn’t wear a dress because she is not into that kind of stuff.

            I was proven wrong when she asked her mom where her dress was. I even told her I was surprised she was going to wear one. Her response was that little girls when dressing up need to be in dresses and make up. That lead me to think of an article we read in class right away.

2) Connections to readings:

            When my goddaughter said that I automatically thought of the Media and Ideology piece by Croteau. The media puts all these crazy images in little kid’s heads at such a young age. It almost shapes their lives for them telling them how they have to be.  They have this embedded in their head and want to live by the media’s “rules.”

            It also made me think of “Cinderella Ate My Daughter.” Like the media and ideology piece it makes kids think a certain way. At such a young age almost no child even challenges society. They go by what they see and who blames them.

3) Pictures

   

Event #1

1) Describe the event:

For my first social justice event I went to the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s “Flames of Hope” water fire. I thought it was so awesome and a great experience. I mean I have been to water fires before and some may ask what the difference between this one was. I just think the atmosphere was different and everyone was there for the cause that made it different.

The cause for the water fire is obviously to help raise money and along with awareness. Before this course I probably wouldn’t be able to make the connection as to why something like breast cancer can be revolved around feminism.  With the small knowledge I knew before I would probably just say that it’s because it has to do with females. Now I have been able to grasp the idea that it is a feminist issue because feminism isn’t just about dealing with things and problems dealing with women. It is more than just the linkage between women and feminism. In this case even men can get breast cancer.

To me breast cancer is a feminist issue because when we talk about the medical attention these people all need and things in that nature they all just want to be looked as like equals. I am glad I wrote up this blog post after the Medical Marijuana group yesterday because that ties into my post. They are cases and issues in the world that are reflected on people who suffer, suffered, or know someone who has been affected by breast cancer.

2) Connections to readings:

One reading this made me think of right away was “What Are Little Boys Made of?” by Michael Kimmel. It made me think of this reading for a couple of reasons. For one it is because even though men can get breast cancer it is always more known for women. So like Kimmel wrote that boys are put on the back burner it just made me make that connection. Because a man can say oh well women have the whole month of October in their name where is our recognition?

What it also made me think of though was that even during the month of October known as the “breast cancer awareness month” professional athletes wear and support the cause by wearing pink things such as shoe laces, cleats, headbands, gloves and so on. That just shows that it is spreading awareness out to everyone.

3) Pictures and links

    

Talking point #12

"Interrupting the Cycle of Oppression" by Ayvazian
Argument

I believe the author Ayvazian main argument which is obvious right by the tittle is trying to stop and break this oppression in the world. Oppression is just something that will always be there and keeps coming back so I think that's why she says it using the word cycle. She also states that we as a whole need to be able to stop or at least crack this. Although it's not an easy concept she says it would be a lot easier with having allies.

I agree with her on that because anything in life is easier with having allies on your side. Being able to back you up and even comfort you in some way. Even with being an ally doesn't have to necessarily mean you of the same group of that person you are allying with.

Random Post 1

Yesterday I went to baby's r us with my Sister-in-law and my brother, she had to change the baby so we went looking for the bathroom. I looked up to see this sign. I kind of did a chuckle at first and even my brother said why does it have to say mother's room. I thought the same thing and it kind of stuck with me all day.

Media and Ideology

Reflection
Talking point # 11 by Croteau

This reading I felt was different from others we have read for this class. It was more of a textual reading like more informational then easier reads we have done before. But as much as I didn't enjoy it compared to past readings I think it was good.

Although it wasn't as entertaining as readings like "Cinderella ate my daughter" it still had some examples that were relevant and some people could relate to. It brought up music from like heavy metal to even rap. The Marshall Mathers albumn that was mentioned I could relate to because I have heard it plenty of times. I think although music doesn't show pictures like television unless you know someone sees the video it still has a huge impact on society. I myself catch me singing things sometimes and after like fifth time singing it I finally realize what I am saying.

As useful as media can be it can also be bad in a sense. One has to know how to keep an eye out and how to really read certain message put out in the world. Ideology can be heavily impacted on today's media.

Election Post

This year's election was interesting and where I watched it was too. So I had the day off and was planning on watching it at home with my family but I was called into work and was really needed so I said I would go. Luckily we have a tv there and our manager turned on the tv and let us all watch together. Now I work in a fast food place so it was interesting having all these customers come in and voice their opinions too as they would watch with us too while waiting on their food.

It was pretty funny experience because you would have people yelling and chanting in the dining room and coming through the drive-thru. Then when the electoral votes became closer when Obama finally got California I remembered the tv lost signal. Me and all my co-workers began screaming asking what happened to the tv. We finally got it back to running it was something with the cord and we seen that Obama was already at the 270 mark on electoral votes.

I must say this was my first time being very into the election and feeling a part of it so it was fairly new to me. But I knew who I wanted to win and I had actual reasons not like in the past when I would just talk without knowing. Seeing Obama reelected mad everyone in my job and me so relieved and happy. It was a great time watching the election at my job.

Talking Point #9 Sex Positivity

I really liked this weeks topic and reading. It was a fun one to read as well as had your mind think a little bit. I really never even knew there was a term called sex positive. Of course I know there is people who are into sex, having sex education, and thinking sex is good but didn't know they were classified as being sex positive. We all know the positives and benefits health wise on having sex but some don't even really believe that not having sex can be bad and good too. White describes this as "Owning our desire." Which I think is a good term for it.

I found her subject on Slut-Shaming very interesting too. I know it can be one of those topics where one can argue back and fourth. But to an extent I agree that some people bring slut-shaming upon themselves. Like when someone takes a nude picture sends it to someone who's not her boyfriend or sometimes it is; then cries when everyone has seen it. I know there can be times where there are certain exceptions but most times it's just poor choices.

The page on Wikipedia was full of great points and information. It did have a lot of factual information. It had a lot on sex positive feminism. And how it came from roots to laws and describing the whole topic. It does a great point on how all feminism aren't lesbians.

Comments/ Questions/ Points to Share ??
Who knew a 3 letter word (SEX) can be such a huge topic. From the first time hearing it in a sex-ed class laughing about it with your friends to now knowing everything we do.

Talking Point #8 Cinderella Ate My daughter

This blog I choose to do an extended comments on Nancy's blog. I thought this blog was a good one to do an extended comments on for the reasons on really being able to relate to certain peoples blogs. I really liked where she was coming from and could relate almost perfectly with. When I grew up I was never too into the Disney Princesses. I myself grew up with two brothers. I can see where Nancy comes from on not being able to relate to certain princesses for physical differences and I think that's why I never got to attached to them as well.

I love the topic of the princess phase because although I did not undergo it I have witnessed it time and time again. It is so true on how little girls and even some boys trying to be prince charming or even playing with dolls get so caught up in that fantasy. It even goes into are own media like shows such as toddlers and tiaras. Like those innocent toddlers are getting there eye brows wax and nails done that is just so crazy.

Talking point #7 Kimmel

What Are Little Boys Made Of? by Michael Kimmel
Hyperlinks

This article was actually interesting to me as I started reading. I've never heard of anything like a "boy crisis" or any of this. This was all first time material to me. We live in a country where men are at an advantage as we all seen from the scwamp exercise but yet the boys are in the crisis? I guess now I can see with all the feminist movements and all that around but I still don't see where boys are becoming depressed fits in.

I found an article that I found related perfectly with Kimmel. The article basically talks about the crisis a bit and talks about it coming back. The image I put below made me laugh because in the article it talks about testosterone being a problem. It calls it magical and how it's the reason why boys are so aggressive and risk taking. It's all because of all the attention on feminism they say we have all forgot about boys. In other words it's like putting them on the backburner.

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

Connection from Lorde to Rich

Although Richs article was a lot longer than Lorde's I still found this connection between the two. Even in Lorde's piece she relates to Rich. They both pointed out the struggle of being a lesbian in today's society. I think it was also good how Lorde pointed out that it doesn't even matter if you are educated. It's still a struggle out there on trying to break the cycle. They both have strong stances on wanting to crack this taboo in today's society. I think when Lorde states it's learning how to stand alone is the tool is very powerful. Because it's the truth, many have the fear of standing alone as Rich says. We all have differences between us and instead of using that to make us stronger we take that into a negative manner.

Questions/Comments/ Points to Share
I just thought it was good back to back readings that really had a good connection between them. It made me keep Rich's article in my mind I even went back to read it to make sure my points were correct. It made the article fresh and made me go deeper into Lorde's piece aswell.

Compulsory heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence

Rich's Article was very deep and had a lot of material in it. At first it had my head spinning. I won't lie I had to read some of my classmates blogs. From what I got from the term compulsory heterosexuality is just a concept but in my eyes in some can argue that it's really not in somewhat of existences. People think that someone should just love one gender or be on sexuality but I think it goes beyond that. It's this crazy ideology like we pointed out in class.

The next term that actually made me chuckle was lesbian existence. The thought of even if you were a woman and liked another one's intellectual thoughts it made you a lesbian. Lesbianism is everywhere and I think that's where she was getting at. I picked out this quote from her "Lesbian existence comprises both the breaking of a taboo and the rejection of a compulsory way of life." I liked this quote a lot as well as many others. The use of the taboo is great because it's like someone doesn't want to break through on wanting to be non heterosexual. It puts a force on everyone to be and like certain people. 

Question/Comments/Points to share

Even after reading the article which I read over multiple times I was still a bit confused. I felt like I was off even though I felt I was right about it. My only question which is one that could only be answered by Rich herself was "Why did the article have to be so filled?" I felt like it could have been a lot easier to  read to get to the points she wanted to make.

Talking point #4

This week's reading was interesting. Exploring through my first website was the same but yet different from the second. I thought it was a fun way to take in a lot of the concepts we are covering in class about feminist issues. The mini games on the websites were cool to set up your own living room and see how it would be. The games I really liked because it just shows you in other perspectives. Money and class can definitively be a feminist issue.
All the unequal pay between men and woman is such a high problem. I loved seeing the posters on the websites showing it. It was funny to read but also so true on the meanings behind them. I also liked seeing the mini stories people had up on the websites too. I think feminist take up these issues because since it's one of the biggest they really want to pin down the problem.

Mitt Romney on same-sex-marriage (week 3)

My article I read was on Mitt Romeny's stand on same sex marriage. I never was big on politics or followed much of it so I thought this weeks assignment was interesting on my part. I never knew that Romeny once actually was trying to help out on gay marriage when he was governor of Massachusetts. Now he has done a 360 and is in no way shape or form favoring same sex marriage. Romney has stated numerous times, "That every child in America should grow up with a mom and a dad."

Thinking Point # 2

"Privilege Power and Difference" By: Allan Johnson
Reflection Post

I thought Johnson had such a strong voice throughout this whole piece. It was very well written and really easy to understand. His choice of wording I found were great at times. He used "an elephant in the room" which I thought was great on talking about gender, race, and inequalities. I thought it was good because it is and can be this huge problem but no one ever wants to address it. Johnson just makes me think about a lot when I am reading. Sometimes I think back to a certain situation when I am agreeing with him or disagreeing. I take his thoughts and just take them in and try to better understand them through my own life situations. 

Talking point #1

Quotes-

"Fear of Feminism" By : Lisa Hogeland

1)  "Once you have your "click!" moment, the world shifts, and it shifts in some terrifying ways."
     I picked this quote out for a couple of reasons. I thought it was a very clever way to describe when someone actually notices the real world problems for feminism. That click maybe completely different from person to person. It can be anything from a situation or discussion or maybe even a film you have watched. In one point in our lives we all for the most part have this realization that we live in a life of woman inequalities. I believe the quote ends in "some terrifying ways" because when you get into depth on feminism and other topics surrounding it you really maybe in shock on how bad this situations are. Also terrifying ways maybe because of you become to talk or even out your self as a feminist some feel that is a risky thing to do.

"A Tsunami in History" By: Rowe-Finkbeiner

2) "The vote didn't come easily."
    Some may say why out of every sentence or good points in the article did I choose this one but that is very simple to answer. I thought this quote although being very short had such deep meaning behind it. Others and even myself before that film in class and don't truly understand the struggle women went through to get the rights we have today like the right to vote. People say yes it was a process to get it and women fought for it but it was much more than that. Even just thinking about all the years it toke and time spent on getting women the right to vote is crazy. And that is way I choose this quote because it came with great meaning behind it.

3) "Yet women still face social and economic inequities each day; the glass ceiling has only cracked, not broken; and there is a persistent wage gap between women and men, and an even larger wage gap between mothers and non-mothers, with single mothers taking the largest wage hits of them all."
    Lastly, I picked this quote out because even though we live in a time known as the third wave does not mean we are living in a perfect life. We are no where near reaching the goals that these women have fought for over the years. There are still a ton of women inequalities. The quote is great yes we have "cracked" the glass but we still have more to do before we can say the glass is broken. And the quote to bring up the wage gaps between the two genders is great because it does show proof that we have not solved all issues.

Introduction

Hi All,                                                                                                                                                      

My name is Kayla Perdomo and I was born and raised in Pawtucket, RI.  This will be my third year here at RIC. This summer all I did was work and I finally got a dog that I've been begging my mom for since I was like 5.   When I am not in class I do like to hang out with friends when it doesn't conflict with studying or working which maybe like one day out of the week. I am excited for this class to learn a lot and have a good time doing it.