Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Activism Log 9
Michael Farmer
Nina Perez
WST 3015
May, 2010
• Activism
This week I worked on my Service Learning reflection paper. In addition I dropped of my ours sheet at Leandra Prestons office.
• Reflection
While writing my reflection paper I really came to realize the importance of solidarity between marginalized groups. I was so grateful for the opportunity to be shown the powerful work of Animal Safe House and how it helped not only women but men too. I know that my work with Animal Safe House has helped people from every single background. This is the ultimate reflection of solidarity. I was reminded of the article I read for my discussion leading; "The rising cost of whiteness" According to Kaye/Kantrowitz when we lose our sense of solidarity with other marginalized groups we lose our ability to stand for one another.
• Reciprocity
I feel like we definitely accomplished what we set out to do. Now we begin the process of preparing for our class presentation.
Nina Perez
WST 3015
May, 2010
• Activism
This week I worked on my Service Learning reflection paper. In addition I dropped of my ours sheet at Leandra Prestons office.
• Reflection
While writing my reflection paper I really came to realize the importance of solidarity between marginalized groups. I was so grateful for the opportunity to be shown the powerful work of Animal Safe House and how it helped not only women but men too. I know that my work with Animal Safe House has helped people from every single background. This is the ultimate reflection of solidarity. I was reminded of the article I read for my discussion leading; "The rising cost of whiteness" According to Kaye/Kantrowitz when we lose our sense of solidarity with other marginalized groups we lose our ability to stand for one another.
• Reciprocity
I feel like we definitely accomplished what we set out to do. Now we begin the process of preparing for our class presentation.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Gonna Beat My Wife????
Michael Farmer
Nina Perez
WST 3015
20 April 2010
Media is one of the most pervasive influences on the lives of people all over the world today. It can set or break trends, it can perpetuate stereotypes, it can propel elections. It can also lead to violence against people, especially women.
Songs like "I'm Gunna Beat My Wife" create space for people to think it is actually okay to beat their wives and partners (DUH!).Our text confirms that songs that are pro-intimate partner violence or normalize it are effectively a, "cultural legitimization of male violence" (Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 266). Take this line from the lyrics of the song as an example; "....Oh baby please don't beat me, baby I promise I'll never sleep with the moon in my face no more!". Those lyrics represent the pleading sobs of someone’s girlfriend, wife, mom, and sister, partner before her death. What kind of norm does this set up for the 12-year-old boy who overhears this song? What kind of solemnest does this steal away from victims of intimate partner abuse?
The lyrics in this song are very repetitive and short, however when we look at the line where the woman being killed states; "Baby please, I promise I'll never sleep with the moon in my face no more" it's clear that the lyrics are creating an excuse for the male abuser and placing the blame on the woman. This is something that happens all too commonly, in families, in the police department and in society. These excuses have allowed male violence against women to grow and change over time, according to our text "rape has evolved historically as a form of male reproductive behavior," (Kirk, and Okazawa-Rey 264).
It is fairly uniformly accepted that diverse images represented in the media help to create a more egalitarian and accepting society. Why then is it a stretch for some people to think that images of abuse and violence against women portrayed as positive on TV or in music could lead to an acceptance and perpetuation of this behavior? It shouldn't be.
Men and women in our society have an obligation to stand up against oppressive or sexist language in our media so we can save the future generations from violence and hate. Lady Gaga is one example of a superstar today who has come our and declared her stand against sexist and homophobic lyrics her mantra around messages in the media is a simple but true one, "It's always wrong to hate, but it's never wrong to love."
Work Cited:
Dead Milkmen. "Gonna Beat My Wife." Rec. 1 Jan. 1988. Beelzebubba. Grooveshark. Web. 27 Feb. 2010. .
Kirk, Gwyn and Okazawa-Rey, Margo. "Violence Against Women." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 257-271.
Nina Perez
WST 3015
20 April 2010
Gonna Beat My Wife
Media is one of the most pervasive influences on the lives of people all over the world today. It can set or break trends, it can perpetuate stereotypes, it can propel elections. It can also lead to violence against people, especially women.
Songs like "I'm Gunna Beat My Wife" create space for people to think it is actually okay to beat their wives and partners (DUH!).Our text confirms that songs that are pro-intimate partner violence or normalize it are effectively a, "cultural legitimization of male violence" (Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 266). Take this line from the lyrics of the song as an example; "....Oh baby please don't beat me, baby I promise I'll never sleep with the moon in my face no more!". Those lyrics represent the pleading sobs of someone’s girlfriend, wife, mom, and sister, partner before her death. What kind of norm does this set up for the 12-year-old boy who overhears this song? What kind of solemnest does this steal away from victims of intimate partner abuse?
The lyrics in this song are very repetitive and short, however when we look at the line where the woman being killed states; "Baby please, I promise I'll never sleep with the moon in my face no more" it's clear that the lyrics are creating an excuse for the male abuser and placing the blame on the woman. This is something that happens all too commonly, in families, in the police department and in society. These excuses have allowed male violence against women to grow and change over time, according to our text "rape has evolved historically as a form of male reproductive behavior," (Kirk, and Okazawa-Rey 264).
It is fairly uniformly accepted that diverse images represented in the media help to create a more egalitarian and accepting society. Why then is it a stretch for some people to think that images of abuse and violence against women portrayed as positive on TV or in music could lead to an acceptance and perpetuation of this behavior? It shouldn't be.
Men and women in our society have an obligation to stand up against oppressive or sexist language in our media so we can save the future generations from violence and hate. Lady Gaga is one example of a superstar today who has come our and declared her stand against sexist and homophobic lyrics her mantra around messages in the media is a simple but true one, "It's always wrong to hate, but it's never wrong to love."
Work Cited:
Dead Milkmen. "Gonna Beat My Wife." Rec. 1 Jan. 1988. Beelzebubba. Grooveshark. Web. 27 Feb. 2010. .
Kirk, Gwyn and Okazawa-Rey, Margo. "Violence Against Women." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 257-271.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Activism Log 5
Michael Farmer
Nina Perez
WST 3015
14 April 2010
Activism:
This week was a slow one for me. I continued to spread the work about our event that is in just a few weeks through facebook and by word of mouth. I also worked on my info board for the day of the event.
Reflection:
According to Paula Ettelbrick, the author of Since when is marriage a path to liberation?, Homosexual couples “must compare ourselves to married couples” (318). This quote made me think of alot of the friends I know who are gay couples in Florida and cannot adopt. Many of them have pets who they adore and think of as their children . I'm sure that it's doubly important for these types of couples to have a rescource like Animal Safe House.
Reciprocity:
Thinking about the work of Animal Safe House through the lense of my gay male friends and their pets expanded my traditional thinking of men and domestic violence. We're all seceptible to becoming victims of domestic violence regardless of our gender.
Work Cited
Ettelbrick, Paula. "Since When Is Marriage a Path to Liberation?" Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives 5 (2010): 317-320. Print.
Nina Perez
WST 3015
14 April 2010
Activism:
This week was a slow one for me. I continued to spread the work about our event that is in just a few weeks through facebook and by word of mouth. I also worked on my info board for the day of the event.
Reflection:
According to Paula Ettelbrick, the author of Since when is marriage a path to liberation?, Homosexual couples “must compare ourselves to married couples” (318). This quote made me think of alot of the friends I know who are gay couples in Florida and cannot adopt. Many of them have pets who they adore and think of as their children . I'm sure that it's doubly important for these types of couples to have a rescource like Animal Safe House.
Reciprocity:
Thinking about the work of Animal Safe House through the lense of my gay male friends and their pets expanded my traditional thinking of men and domestic violence. We're all seceptible to becoming victims of domestic violence regardless of our gender.
Work Cited
Ettelbrick, Paula. "Since When Is Marriage a Path to Liberation?" Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives 5 (2010): 317-320. Print.
Activism Log 4
Michael Farmer
Nina Perez
WST 3015
14 April 2010
Activism:
Our team this week worked alot to build momentum in the run up to our donation drive event. We continued to use every opportunity to hand out flyers, I attended multiple Democratic Party events and used them as a platform to spread the word. I was encouraged by people in the community and their positive responses. I've had several verbal commitments to make donations. I do worry about people being willing to take on fostering, but I got one new foster parent this week who signe up online.
Reflection:
Megan Seely in Fight like a Girl espouses that, “Throughout the world, in many cultures, there is an expectation that women are to be the keepers of the faith in their families and that they carry the responsibility to pass on these traditions to their children” (105). With this in mind it delivers an extra sense of commitment to this cause and the depth of it's importance. If society learns it's values and faith from women we must do what we can as a society to respect and treat them equally. We must have strong women figures for which our youth can look t for inspiration.
Reciprocity:
Recently at a mixer for a local gay rights groups I spoke a little bit about my project with Animal Safe House, the response I got was overwhelming affirming and positive. I was thrilled at the intersectionality that was revealed of the opression of LGBT peope and women in domestic violence situation.
Work Cited
Seely, Megan. Fight like a Girl: How to Be a Fearless Feminist. New York: New York UP, 2007. Print
Nina Perez
WST 3015
14 April 2010
Activism:
Our team this week worked alot to build momentum in the run up to our donation drive event. We continued to use every opportunity to hand out flyers, I attended multiple Democratic Party events and used them as a platform to spread the word. I was encouraged by people in the community and their positive responses. I've had several verbal commitments to make donations. I do worry about people being willing to take on fostering, but I got one new foster parent this week who signe up online.
Reflection:
Megan Seely in Fight like a Girl espouses that, “Throughout the world, in many cultures, there is an expectation that women are to be the keepers of the faith in their families and that they carry the responsibility to pass on these traditions to their children” (105). With this in mind it delivers an extra sense of commitment to this cause and the depth of it's importance. If society learns it's values and faith from women we must do what we can as a society to respect and treat them equally. We must have strong women figures for which our youth can look t for inspiration.
Reciprocity:
Recently at a mixer for a local gay rights groups I spoke a little bit about my project with Animal Safe House, the response I got was overwhelming affirming and positive. I was thrilled at the intersectionality that was revealed of the opression of LGBT peope and women in domestic violence situation.
Work Cited
Seely, Megan. Fight like a Girl: How to Be a Fearless Feminist. New York: New York UP, 2007. Print
Swiss Not So Much Of A Real Family Robinson
Michael Farmer
Nina Perez
WST 3015
14 April 2010
Swiss Not So Much Of A Real Family Robinson
Swiss Family Robinson is a film that was one of my personal favorites as a child. As an adult and someone who studies women’s studies I must say I look back in a certain degree of horror at the number of stereotypes and unstable constructions presented in that historic Disney film.
In class we spoke about women and young girls being portrayed as always being whole some and good and feminine. The people in this film who are portrayed as “good”, “wholesome” and “nurturing” are the group of people who make up the group that contains women and looks like the “traditional”, white hetero normative family; The Robinsons. Meanwhile the pirates, who are portrayed as male, are also animalistic, foreign, and brown skinned.
The Caucasian, European, Robinsons are portrayed as people who are outside of nature; they are of the city and of the world and thus toil with nature. We see them in their struggle with the violent, seas and with the challenge of day to day living on the barren island.
In contrast, the brown, indigenous pirates are portrayed as masters of the sea and people can easily maneuver through thick tropical rainforests.
As is typical in many films when women encounter danger from nature/the pirates in this film, the men become suddenly masculine and begin to work to protect the weak and defenseless woman. I was reminded of our class discussion reflecting on the passage from the first Gaia Girls book; “Girls are conditioned to being delegitimized by their parents and society and are constantly sent the message they can’t perform the same ways men can.” (Eco-Feminism)
Throughout the film the characters work to reinforce the idea of a hetero normative nuclear family as well as the unstable notion that men are meant to be fathers and women are meant to be mothers. The father figure in the family does this by calling his wife mother instead of by her own name and visa versa.
In the film the family uses their own form of “Monkey wrenching” to booby trap the Island in hopes of preventing the pirates from penetrating its borders. “Monkey wrenching is a form of eco activism that seeks to prevent humans from harming the environment.” (Eco-Feminism) In this scene the pirates are also portrayed as “masculine” and thus destructive to the island and the family. This unstable idea of masculinity and nature is broken down by Kirk, “based on their analysis of the connections between masculinist social institutions and the destruction of the physical environment” (Kirk 539)
However over sensitive this might sound thinking about Swiss Family Robinson in this way makes me a lot less comfortable with my future children watching it. I don’t want my children trapped by traditional roles as espoused in this film.
Work Cited:
Kirk, Gwyn and Okazawa-Rey, Margo. "Violence Against Women." Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 535-549.
Eco-Feminism, In-Class Notes, Womens Studies 3015, Nina Perez, April 14th, 2010.
Nina Perez
WST 3015
14 April 2010
Swiss Not So Much Of A Real Family Robinson
Swiss Family Robinson is a film that was one of my personal favorites as a child. As an adult and someone who studies women’s studies I must say I look back in a certain degree of horror at the number of stereotypes and unstable constructions presented in that historic Disney film.
In class we spoke about women and young girls being portrayed as always being whole some and good and feminine. The people in this film who are portrayed as “good”, “wholesome” and “nurturing” are the group of people who make up the group that contains women and looks like the “traditional”, white hetero normative family; The Robinsons. Meanwhile the pirates, who are portrayed as male, are also animalistic, foreign, and brown skinned.
The Caucasian, European, Robinsons are portrayed as people who are outside of nature; they are of the city and of the world and thus toil with nature. We see them in their struggle with the violent, seas and with the challenge of day to day living on the barren island.
In contrast, the brown, indigenous pirates are portrayed as masters of the sea and people can easily maneuver through thick tropical rainforests.
As is typical in many films when women encounter danger from nature/the pirates in this film, the men become suddenly masculine and begin to work to protect the weak and defenseless woman. I was reminded of our class discussion reflecting on the passage from the first Gaia Girls book; “Girls are conditioned to being delegitimized by their parents and society and are constantly sent the message they can’t perform the same ways men can.” (Eco-Feminism)
Throughout the film the characters work to reinforce the idea of a hetero normative nuclear family as well as the unstable notion that men are meant to be fathers and women are meant to be mothers. The father figure in the family does this by calling his wife mother instead of by her own name and visa versa.
In the film the family uses their own form of “Monkey wrenching” to booby trap the Island in hopes of preventing the pirates from penetrating its borders. “Monkey wrenching is a form of eco activism that seeks to prevent humans from harming the environment.” (Eco-Feminism) In this scene the pirates are also portrayed as “masculine” and thus destructive to the island and the family. This unstable idea of masculinity and nature is broken down by Kirk, “based on their analysis of the connections between masculinist social institutions and the destruction of the physical environment” (Kirk 539)
However over sensitive this might sound thinking about Swiss Family Robinson in this way makes me a lot less comfortable with my future children watching it. I don’t want my children trapped by traditional roles as espoused in this film.
Work Cited:
Kirk, Gwyn and Okazawa-Rey, Margo. "Violence Against Women." Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 535-549.
Eco-Feminism, In-Class Notes, Womens Studies 3015, Nina Perez, April 14th, 2010.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Activism Log 8
Michael Farmer
Nina Perez
WST 3015
12 April 2010
Activism Log 8
Activism:
This weekend our group had our donation drive for Animal Safehouse of Brevard. Our event took place Louie and Maria’s Italian Restaurant in east Orlando. Our goal was collect donations to provide to foster parents and, more importantly, to encourage guests to become foster parents for the Animal Safehouse of Brevard. Getting to the event was a stressful time for me, my car ended up breaking down. However, I borrowed a friends car and brought all the donations I had collected through the past months so we could make sure they were all together. We sucessfully collected more than the expected amount of donations we expected we got rave reviews from our service learning agency, and overall our event was a huge sucess.
Reflection:
I was glas to be able to connect with my classmates outside of class. I got to know my collegaues on a deeper level that I have all semester. Although we were very satifsfied with our results, of course everyone hopes that their activism can start a movement. We took comfort in the words we found in Fight Like A Girl, “No act is too small; you may never know the full extend of your impact. Activism is contagious. While you may be one person, your voice and actions can touch others, whose voices and actions can touch others, and so forth” (Seeley 16).
Reciprocity:
I had a fabulous experience meeting people who came by to support our event and enjoy some yummy pizza. Just putting this small event together over this semester has really made me realize the tough work it takes to make an organization like Animal Safe House tick. I felt awesome knowing that we touched lots of new people and brought them into the folds of the work of Animal Safe House, I know lots of these folks will help the organization keep up the steam.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Activism Log 7
Michael Farmer
Nina Perez
WST 3015
4 April 2010
Activism Log 7
Activism:
This week I'm very excited because our event for Animal Safe House is swiftly approaching. I traveled home to Apopka for the Easter holidays and shared with the family the work I've been doing. I got several commitments from family members to make cash donations for Animal Safe House. I also continued compiling data for our info board.
Reflection:
My work with Animal Safe House of Brevard is especially important to me having grown up close to someone who was the victim of domestic violence. Aside from spreading the word about the fabulous service that Animal Safe House of Brevard Provides the simple act of drawing attention to an epedemic of violence that often goes unoticed makes me feel good about my work. According to Kirk violence between intimate partners is very under reported, “Although violence between intimate partners is illegal in this country, it is seriously under-reported” (Kirk 263). My hope is that our work with the Animal safe house will help embolden women and mend to "come out" as surviviors and help others with similar experiances.
Reciprocity:
Having grown up in a home where I saw somone close to me become the victim of emotional and verbal harrassment, I know the high price children and spouses pay for this atrocity. I can't even begin to comprehend the pain that comes from the addition of physical violence for people. Many times domestic violence is a learned habit, and is passed on to children. I know our work will help to end this viscious cylcle and realease children of abusers from being damed to repeat their father/mothers awful mistakes.
Kirk, Gwyn and Okazawa-Rey, Margo. "Violence Against Women." Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 257-273.
"U.S. Election 2004 From the Eyes on an Iraqi Woman"
Michael Farmer
Nina Perez
WST 3015
5 April 2010
For many people in the United States 2004 was a critical year for domestic politics in our country. Many people felt outrage that our country seemed to be on an very swiftly moving downward spiral and Democrats were poised to take control of the White House and the reigns. A huge focus of election 2004 was the war in Iraq, the terms for which we had occupied that country and the thinking behind our extended stay there. All wrapped up in our own fury and self importance we never seem to remember that there were actually thinking, breathing people in the country we were occupying who literally had a life or death interest in our election of a new President and administration.
Luckily for me and for others with an open mind, a woman in Iraq kept a blog that helps serve as a voice for what Iraqi's were feeling in 2004 in the midst of the American elections. Her blog is incredibly powerful because it came at a time when the American media and even people in our own government tried with the utmost eagerness to paint Iraqi people with one broad-brush stroke. Her blog is so powerful that with one fowl swoop her words crush any of the myths perpetuated by the simple minds of the American media and governments. She talks about how even it was true post occupation that most Iraqi's did not pay close attention to American elections that myth was no longer true now that they had become occupied and it was even true in 2000 when Iraqi's feared what a Bush administration would mean for them.
"Many, many people have asked me about the elections and what we think of them. Before, I would have said that I really don’t think much about it. Up until four years ago, I always thought the American elections were a pretty straightforward process: two white males up for the same position (face it people- it really is only two- Nader doesn’t count), people voting and the person with more votes wins. After the debacle of four years ago, where Bush Jr. was *assigned* president, things are looking more complicated and a little bit more sordid (Enloe)."
Another thing I think is striking from this quote is the inherent "feminist" language it contains. Such broad swatches of Americans think that Iraqi women are an oppressed, uneducated group who are kept away from society and politics. Her asserting this intellectual well formed opinion about the American election is such a powerful myth buster about the nature of women in Iraq and the existence of a woman's movement there.
In my opinion her blogs primary function is one of education. Although, this particular entry and many of Riverbends other entries are also inherently political. Even though Riverbend and her fellow Iraqi's cannot themselves participate in American elections, (which to me seems an atrocity given they are essentially a conquered territory) her blog and her voice can definitely have a powerful effect on her American readers. It's clear she knows this when she passionately implores Americans to live up to the best of what we are and vote for John Kerry. "I guess what I’m trying to say is this: Americans, the name of your country which once stood for ‘freedom and justice’ is tarnished worldwide. Your latest president has proved that the great American image of democracy is just that- an image. You can protest, you can demonstrate, you can vote- but it ends there. The reigns were out of your hands the moment Bush stepped into the White House. You were deceived repetitively and duped into two wars. Your sons and daughters are dying, and killing, in foreign lands. Your embassies are in danger all over the world. ‘America’ has become synonymous with ‘empire’, ‘hegemony’, and ‘warfare’. And why? All because you needed to be diverted away from the fact that you’re current president is a failure (Enloe)."
When I received this assignment I immediately navigated to Riverbend's blog entries from 2004. I hoped that she had made entries based on the American election. What a fascinating record of Iraqi thought during that time. 2004 was an especially disappointing election for me and for many Americans, but none of us can know the depth of despair people occupied can feel when they literally "lose" and lose big. The result of occupation is summed up well in chapter ten of our text, Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspective, women in the military is discussed. “Perhaps one of the most far-reaching effects of war is the normalization of violence in everyday life…” (504). This normalization is perhaps the most awful result of the 2004 elections that is forgotten, and the biggest burden left behind.
Nina Perez
WST 3015
5 April 2010
For many people in the United States 2004 was a critical year for domestic politics in our country. Many people felt outrage that our country seemed to be on an very swiftly moving downward spiral and Democrats were poised to take control of the White House and the reigns. A huge focus of election 2004 was the war in Iraq, the terms for which we had occupied that country and the thinking behind our extended stay there. All wrapped up in our own fury and self importance we never seem to remember that there were actually thinking, breathing people in the country we were occupying who literally had a life or death interest in our election of a new President and administration.
Luckily for me and for others with an open mind, a woman in Iraq kept a blog that helps serve as a voice for what Iraqi's were feeling in 2004 in the midst of the American elections. Her blog is incredibly powerful because it came at a time when the American media and even people in our own government tried with the utmost eagerness to paint Iraqi people with one broad-brush stroke. Her blog is so powerful that with one fowl swoop her words crush any of the myths perpetuated by the simple minds of the American media and governments. She talks about how even it was true post occupation that most Iraqi's did not pay close attention to American elections that myth was no longer true now that they had become occupied and it was even true in 2000 when Iraqi's feared what a Bush administration would mean for them.
"Many, many people have asked me about the elections and what we think of them. Before, I would have said that I really don’t think much about it. Up until four years ago, I always thought the American elections were a pretty straightforward process: two white males up for the same position (face it people- it really is only two- Nader doesn’t count), people voting and the person with more votes wins. After the debacle of four years ago, where Bush Jr. was *assigned* president, things are looking more complicated and a little bit more sordid (Enloe)."
Another thing I think is striking from this quote is the inherent "feminist" language it contains. Such broad swatches of Americans think that Iraqi women are an oppressed, uneducated group who are kept away from society and politics. Her asserting this intellectual well formed opinion about the American election is such a powerful myth buster about the nature of women in Iraq and the existence of a woman's movement there.
In my opinion her blogs primary function is one of education. Although, this particular entry and many of Riverbends other entries are also inherently political. Even though Riverbend and her fellow Iraqi's cannot themselves participate in American elections, (which to me seems an atrocity given they are essentially a conquered territory) her blog and her voice can definitely have a powerful effect on her American readers. It's clear she knows this when she passionately implores Americans to live up to the best of what we are and vote for John Kerry. "I guess what I’m trying to say is this: Americans, the name of your country which once stood for ‘freedom and justice’ is tarnished worldwide. Your latest president has proved that the great American image of democracy is just that- an image. You can protest, you can demonstrate, you can vote- but it ends there. The reigns were out of your hands the moment Bush stepped into the White House. You were deceived repetitively and duped into two wars. Your sons and daughters are dying, and killing, in foreign lands. Your embassies are in danger all over the world. ‘America’ has become synonymous with ‘empire’, ‘hegemony’, and ‘warfare’. And why? All because you needed to be diverted away from the fact that you’re current president is a failure (Enloe)."
When I received this assignment I immediately navigated to Riverbend's blog entries from 2004. I hoped that she had made entries based on the American election. What a fascinating record of Iraqi thought during that time. 2004 was an especially disappointing election for me and for many Americans, but none of us can know the depth of despair people occupied can feel when they literally "lose" and lose big. The result of occupation is summed up well in chapter ten of our text, Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspective, women in the military is discussed. “Perhaps one of the most far-reaching effects of war is the normalization of violence in everyday life…” (504). This normalization is perhaps the most awful result of the 2004 elections that is forgotten, and the biggest burden left behind.
Enloe, Riverbend. "American Election 2004." Web log post. Baghdad Burning. 25 Oct. 2004. Web. 5 Apr. 2010.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Activism Log 3
Michael Farmer
Nina Perez
WST 3015
1 April 2010
Activism Log 3
Activism:
This week my group and I brainstormed possible venue locations for our event via the web. We all bounced around a couple idea's, I mentioned the First Unitarian Church of Orlando and the Orlando Gay and Lesbian Center. Finally, we settled on choosing a restaurant. A couple of my group members agreed to go check out the venues to ensure that they worked for our purposes. In addition to helping out with the venue, I've continued work on data for our information poster boards and flyers. I've also chosen to register as a puppy foster parent with Animal Safe House of Brevard, which I'm very excited about.
Reflection:
This week I'm super excited at the prospect of us having chosen venues for our events, and possibly event having two locations. I hope that the locations are in areas accessible enough for the maximum number of people to attend, education around this issue is so very important. I'm a little bit worried about the prospect of fostering a dog in my home, but also excited to help and for a new challenge.
Reciprocity:
Up till now I feel like we've gotten the bulk of the core parts of this projected ironed out. Excited to see what happens next and to do some good solid education about Animal Safe House Of Brevard. Feeling a little nervous about the possibility of fostering a dog and what that means for the contents of my home. But, I know I'll be helping some inspiring women and learning alot myself.
Work Cited:
Activism Log 2
Michael Farmer
Nina Perez
WST 3015
1 April 2010
Activism Log # 2
Activism:
My group and I are on a good track with our project, we communicate regularly via the web and bounce ideas off of one another. This week I've been working on the research for a poster board full of information about Animal Safe House Of Brevard, the work they do and why it's so important. I'm also planning to take the same data and create flyers that can be distributed about our event and the organization. I'll place these flyers around my apartment building, my neighborhood downtown and at the gay and lesbian center.
Reflection:
This week was again a week of planning and reorganzing as things developed. Always in my mind was the “Twelve Step Method”, from Fight Like A Girl (Seely 19), it's helped me to organize our work in my head.
Reciprocity:
Working with Animal Safe House of Brevard has been a very eye opening experiance for me. I've long been invloved in praxis, working in the LGBTQ rights movment and I've always though of myself as a feminist. But, I've never really seen te physical effects of what happens to women when they are abused by their spouses. It's so important that their animals, sometimes the only happiness they have in their world have a safe place to stay so that their moms can become free. I'm glad to have gone "outside the box" on this one and strayed from my normal praxis.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Give us a fighting chance, an image we can be proud of
Michael Farmer
Jeannina Perez
WST 3015 (Introduction to Women’s Studies)
17 February 2010
The Film Hairspray though based on civil rights and social justice is full of false generalizations and stereotypes. I’ll focus on the false generalizations and stereotypes made about women’s sexuality in the film and the idea’s about plus sized women.
Plus sized women in the film are constantly shown as outcast individuals with little or low self-esteem, they’re portrayed as matronly and un attractive. The contrast becomes very clear when Tracy Turnblad tries out to be on the Corny Collins show and is denied, among other things because of her size. The message is thin is normal, thin is good, thin is beauty. Look at Tracy’s mother, she stays shut in the house, buries her poor self esteem in housework and boring matronly clothes. Tracy’s mother is not portrayed as pretty or sexual, she’s fat, old, sad and asexual in the film. She’s also portrayed as weak, she takes the path of least resistance, she has a hard time making declarative statements. “We ignore the societal and institutional reasons that contribute to obesity; instead we perpetuate cultural sizeism by pointing fingers at those who overweight reinforcing the idea that thinner is better.” (Seely 131)
Somewhat conversely women who are portrayed as sexual are portrayed as evil, calculating, slutty, diseased ect. “Sexuality can be restriction and vulnerability for women Especially for those who repudiate societal norms.” (Kirk, and Okazawa-Rey 149) We see this in the character of Velma Von Tussel. One of Velma’s spotlight moments it’s a song entitled “Ms. Baltimore Crabs”, she sings about how she slept with entire panel of judges to in order to be crowned a beauty queen. It’s implied that because of her sexual freedom, she’s contracted crabs. Later in the film she tried to seduce Mrs. Turnblad husband to turn them against each other with the promise of sex.
Even though the film Hairspray was mostly mocking these stereotypes and bringing their falsehoods into the sunshine it does shed light on the way many of the people we see everyday actually feel. The reality is that big women are beautiful, sexual, strong willed and any other personality type they want to take on. But, when we tell them from a young age as a collective society they cannot be these things, they must be less than, we set them up for failure. The same goes for women who are blossoming sexually. Women should be empowered to explore sex and be armed with the sense of seld and knowledge needed to be safe. If we send them into the sexual world with one hand tied behind their back because of stereotypes in films, We all lose.
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Womens Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th. New York, NY: Mcgraw Hill, 2010. 149. Print.
Seely, Megan. Fight Like A Girl. New York, NY: NYU Press, 2007. 131. Print.
Jeannina Perez
WST 3015 (Introduction to Women’s Studies)
17 February 2010
The Film Hairspray though based on civil rights and social justice is full of false generalizations and stereotypes. I’ll focus on the false generalizations and stereotypes made about women’s sexuality in the film and the idea’s about plus sized women.
Plus sized women in the film are constantly shown as outcast individuals with little or low self-esteem, they’re portrayed as matronly and un attractive. The contrast becomes very clear when Tracy Turnblad tries out to be on the Corny Collins show and is denied, among other things because of her size. The message is thin is normal, thin is good, thin is beauty. Look at Tracy’s mother, she stays shut in the house, buries her poor self esteem in housework and boring matronly clothes. Tracy’s mother is not portrayed as pretty or sexual, she’s fat, old, sad and asexual in the film. She’s also portrayed as weak, she takes the path of least resistance, she has a hard time making declarative statements. “We ignore the societal and institutional reasons that contribute to obesity; instead we perpetuate cultural sizeism by pointing fingers at those who overweight reinforcing the idea that thinner is better.” (Seely 131)
Somewhat conversely women who are portrayed as sexual are portrayed as evil, calculating, slutty, diseased ect. “Sexuality can be restriction and vulnerability for women Especially for those who repudiate societal norms.” (Kirk, and Okazawa-Rey 149) We see this in the character of Velma Von Tussel. One of Velma’s spotlight moments it’s a song entitled “Ms. Baltimore Crabs”, she sings about how she slept with entire panel of judges to in order to be crowned a beauty queen. It’s implied that because of her sexual freedom, she’s contracted crabs. Later in the film she tried to seduce Mrs. Turnblad husband to turn them against each other with the promise of sex.
Even though the film Hairspray was mostly mocking these stereotypes and bringing their falsehoods into the sunshine it does shed light on the way many of the people we see everyday actually feel. The reality is that big women are beautiful, sexual, strong willed and any other personality type they want to take on. But, when we tell them from a young age as a collective society they cannot be these things, they must be less than, we set them up for failure. The same goes for women who are blossoming sexually. Women should be empowered to explore sex and be armed with the sense of seld and knowledge needed to be safe. If we send them into the sexual world with one hand tied behind their back because of stereotypes in films, We all lose.
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Womens Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th. New York, NY: Mcgraw Hill, 2010. 149. Print.
Seely, Megan. Fight Like A Girl. New York, NY: NYU Press, 2007. 131. Print.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Activist Log
This week was spent largely getting the wheels turning. Our group previously spent time polishing our proposal. My tasks this week have been to research venues for a possible fundraiser for the Animal Safe House, locations for donation drops offs and also ways we might be able to spread the word about our work. I also signed up to be a foster parent.
Project Proposal
February 2, 2010
Jeannina Perez
WST 3015
Community Partner: Animal Safe House of Brevard
Address: animalsafehouse@gmail.com
Contact: Arielle Schwartz
954-401-4901
Community Partner Profile:
Animal Safehouse of Brevard was formed in summer 2008 as a network of individuals committed to helping both women and pets who are victims of domestic violence. Animal Safehouse recently became a registered Florida non-profit agency which relies heavily on donations and volunteers and is in need of assistance to help as many women and pets possible.
Community Partner Mission Statement:
Animal Safehouse of Brevard is a not-for-profit effort geared towards providing temporary safe placement of pets that, like their owners, need to flee from domestic violence situations. The mission of Animal Safehouse Campus Action Network is a commitment to encouraging women to escape domestic violence by fostering and providing for their pets while they are in shelters; to raise community awareness about domestic violence and about the links between domestic violence and animal abuse.
Political and/or Social Basis for Organization:
Animal Safehouse of Brevard appeals to the desperate need for a safe place for pets who are subjected to abuse while their owners seek shelter and rehabilitation. Domestic violence can sometimes also involve animal abuse; both of these violate women’s rights and animal rights.
Community Partner Needs:
In order to be productive and to continue helping animals, this organization needs constant help from the community. Transporters, foster parents, volunteers, and vets are needed. Animal Safehouse of Brevard relies heavily on donations to keep our program running. Items needed are unopened food, collars, leashes, bowls, flea treatment, heartworm treatment, veterinary care, crates, pillows, toys, and blankets.
Memorandum
TO: Jeannina Perez
FROM:J. Audette, M. Farmer, A. Ondina, K. Sanders, S. Stoneburner, K. Temple
DATE: February 2, 2010
RE: Proposal to Write a Feasibility Report for a Service Learning Project
This is a proposal for the services needed for the benefit of the Animal Safehouse of Brevard County. We outline the services we plan to provide to the benefit of this community partner in this proposal. We will also include the connection between the goals of the Animal Safehouse and Women’s Studies.
Need for materials, time and volunteers to assist in raising money, awareness and donations to assist Animal Safe House of Brevard
The mission of the Animal Safehouse is to provide foster care to pets of women who need to leave abusive situations. Many women will not leave because they either have children or pets at home that they do not wish to abandon. By providing the foster care, the pets will be taken care of and the women can feel more confident in leaving.
Plan Proposal
We plan to provide services for our partner by partaking in the activities of the Animal Safehouse. It will benefit their cause and also provide them with extra help. We also are aiming to raise awareness. As a group, we will make flyers, table at local businesses and plan a “signing day” where interested persons will be able to sign up to foster an animal in need. We plan to table with a constant schedule with the hopes that we will also be able to collect donations.
Rationale for women’s studies
This project is relevant to women’s studies because it presents the problem with domestic violence toward women and animals.
Action
We plan to get as much information from the Animal Safehouse as possible before planning any action. We will need to record information of known families and pets in need of the Animal Safehouse’s services. Then we will take this information and use it to create flyers and any other means of spreading the word to people. We also plan to organize a “signing party”.
Timeline
Below is a schedule of events, activities and/or deadlines for our project:
1. Research/interviews – through February 13
2. Begin creating materials to use for spreading the word–through February 20
3. Organize “signing party” for Animal Safehouse – through March 6
4. Flyer – through March 13
5. Finalize “signing day” (event will also be around this date) – through March 25
6. Send thank you letters– April 2Monday, February 8, 2010
Hypersexul Ads Are Damaging to Women
In 2010 more than ever media is a pervasive in all aspects of our lives. It could be said that media shapes our socialization more than any other factor, even our parents. Because of this unprecedented pervasiveness media has a responsibility to think about the messages it sends to the masses. Unfortunately the media bottom line comes down to making money and has little or no regard for social justice. Take the image from a Dolce and Gabbana ad above.
Everyone who is into fashion and trends knows that D&G sets the standard for whats in style and what's considered beautiful. If this is the case, what does this particular ad mean for girls and women? From the outside it would appear that what D&G is saying is that women must be thin blondes who have large red luscious lips, sexy nails and long legs. In addition it tells women that their only inherent value is in sex appeal. Not just in this ad but it the majority of D&G's ads women are selling products in sexually suggestive poses. One could assume that this message is not lost on girls and women and could mean they might think that their worth to society lies only in sex. Since these are all false generalizations, many women will be left out this idea of beauty devaluing their self worth and esteem.
This ad is not a realistic depiction of women and does damage to the self image of women girls all over the world. What's even more disappointing is that it suggests the only way for you to fulfill this false image and thereby gain self esteem is to sell the product D&G is hawking.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Jews in the US: The Rising Costs of Whiteness
Kaye/Kantrowitz, Melanie. "Jews in the US: The Rising Costs of Whiteness." Womens Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5. (2010 ): 119. Print.
Melanie Kantrowitz is a professor of literature, Women’s Studies, and Jewish studies. She is the founder of Jews for Economic and Racial Justice and the former director of Queens College/CUNY worker education extension center. (Kaye/Kantrowitz 119)
Kantrowitz’s article Jews in the US: The Rising Cost of Whiteness hits hard at many of our traditionally constructed views of Jewish people and who they are. Kantrowitz begins with her recollection of an essay she read by James Baldwin in 1990, in the essay Baldwin asserts that Americans Jews have opted to adopt a white identity. Kantrowitz cites this essay is the basis for the beginning of questioning Jews as a race. Kantrowitz explains that many Jewish Americans have experienced privilege because of their ability to pass, or “whiteness”. She writes, “On the other hand, the last time the cops stopped me. In the car with me were two other white Jews. My heart flew into my throat as always, but they took one look at us and waved us on. I remembered all of the stories from my friends of color who did not receive a friendly apology and wave.” At the same time however, she illuminates instances of discrimination Jewish Americans have endured, like swastikas painted on people’s homes and cross burnings.
This leads her to the question of what being Jewish means. Race or Religion? Kantrowitz says, “Of course Jewish is not a race, for Jews come in all races.” (Kaye/Kantrowitz 120) She explains that Jewish people have been racialized throughout time because of persecution and exile. In American culture with think of Jewish people as white because much of the Jewish people we know in the US moved here from Eastern Europe. When Kantrowitz says that Jews have been racialized she means that as a larger group, Jews have been exiled, hated an discriminated against and thereby developed a distinct culture socio-historically
Kantrowitz goes on to say that there is danger in Jewish people in the US trying to assimilate and pass as “white”. The danger creeps up when Jewish people begin to feel like they are no longer marginalized and therefore don’t feel the need to build bridges with other minority groups, gays, blacks, women, Latinos. Kantrowitz extrapolates that these coalitions of minorities are pivotal to preventing atrocities mass exile and murder of minority groups.
In the end, Kantrowitz seems to come to the realization that the more conscious she became of her Jewish identity the more she felt she was in solidarity with others like herself. This is pivotal she says, because if we don’t all stand together who will stand with us? She points to a powerful testament of solidarity by a Rabbi defending Oregon gays. “The Holocaust began with laws exactly like ballot measure 9. Those laws first declared groups of people to be subhuman, then legalized and finally mandated discrimination against them. Comparisons to the Holocaust must be limited. But clearly, this is the start of hatred and persecution that must stop now. “(Kaye/Kantrowitz 129)
Melanie Kantrowitz is a professor of literature, Women’s Studies, and Jewish studies. She is the founder of Jews for Economic and Racial Justice and the former director of Queens College/CUNY worker education extension center. (Kaye/Kantrowitz 119)
Kantrowitz’s article Jews in the US: The Rising Cost of Whiteness hits hard at many of our traditionally constructed views of Jewish people and who they are. Kantrowitz begins with her recollection of an essay she read by James Baldwin in 1990, in the essay Baldwin asserts that Americans Jews have opted to adopt a white identity. Kantrowitz cites this essay is the basis for the beginning of questioning Jews as a race. Kantrowitz explains that many Jewish Americans have experienced privilege because of their ability to pass, or “whiteness”. She writes, “On the other hand, the last time the cops stopped me. In the car with me were two other white Jews. My heart flew into my throat as always, but they took one look at us and waved us on. I remembered all of the stories from my friends of color who did not receive a friendly apology and wave.” At the same time however, she illuminates instances of discrimination Jewish Americans have endured, like swastikas painted on people’s homes and cross burnings.
This leads her to the question of what being Jewish means. Race or Religion? Kantrowitz says, “Of course Jewish is not a race, for Jews come in all races.” (Kaye/Kantrowitz 120) She explains that Jewish people have been racialized throughout time because of persecution and exile. In American culture with think of Jewish people as white because much of the Jewish people we know in the US moved here from Eastern Europe. When Kantrowitz says that Jews have been racialized she means that as a larger group, Jews have been exiled, hated an discriminated against and thereby developed a distinct culture socio-historically
Kantrowitz goes on to say that there is danger in Jewish people in the US trying to assimilate and pass as “white”. The danger creeps up when Jewish people begin to feel like they are no longer marginalized and therefore don’t feel the need to build bridges with other minority groups, gays, blacks, women, Latinos. Kantrowitz extrapolates that these coalitions of minorities are pivotal to preventing atrocities mass exile and murder of minority groups.
In the end, Kantrowitz seems to come to the realization that the more conscious she became of her Jewish identity the more she felt she was in solidarity with others like herself. This is pivotal she says, because if we don’t all stand together who will stand with us? She points to a powerful testament of solidarity by a Rabbi defending Oregon gays. “The Holocaust began with laws exactly like ballot measure 9. Those laws first declared groups of people to be subhuman, then legalized and finally mandated discrimination against them. Comparisons to the Holocaust must be limited. But clearly, this is the start of hatred and persecution that must stop now. “(Kaye/Kantrowitz 129)
Monday, February 1, 2010
Passive Socialite or Active Soldier?
The characters in "Iron Jawed Angels" made the woman's movement their entire lives, while in “Mary Poppins” the mother seems to do it has a "hobby" or on a part time basis and only seems partially committed to the movement. This is couldn’t have been clearer then in the scene where Alice Paul affirms she has no room for a man in her life as long as she has the woman's movement. In my view “Mary Poppins” portrays suffragists (especially the mother) in a very passive way. On one hand the mother is flying the suffragist flag and then in another scene she's taking notes silently as her husband revels in male dominance. The mother in "Mary Poppins" seems to suggest that the women’s movement is nothing but upper middle class white women with too much time on their hands. (However false this may be)
I think it's clear that the suffragist movement is more accurately portrayed in "Iron Jawed Angels". The film is a very raw depiction of the rough and hard work working for civil rights really is, struggles between the establishment and the younger newer factions, stress surrounding funding, political push back ect. In “Mary Poppins” the movement is portrayed in a more "book club" fashion, more of like a social gathering of women.
I think in both films men underestimate women, but especially in "Mary Poppins" the husband dismisses his wife’s work for the suffragist movement when all the while he has know idea just how successful it will be. In "Iron Jawed Angels" men place much harsher sanctions on the women, especially in the parade scene, men even become violent and bash women implying they "wish to be men".
I think women in both films are doing SOMETHING to disrupt norms about women. Obviously the women in "Iron Jawed Angels" do more because they appear to be farm more out-front on issues regarding the movement. Take for example the women picketing the President in a time of war; these women are willing to be imprisoned for their beliefs. We're not given any indication that the mother in "Mary Poppins" has done anything like this or is willing to be imprisoned for her beliefs.
In my mind these two films are demonstrative of the powerful suggestions of media and it's possibe bias against women and the women's movement as reported in "Fight Like a Girl" (Seely 1). Each of these films portrays suffragists in different ways I would argue that "Mary Poppins" make light of the movement while "Iron Jawed Angels" appropriatly pays it homage.
"Iron Jawe Angels-A Film by Katja Von Garnier". 29 January 2010 .
"Mary Poppins 1964". Answers.com. 29 January 2010 .
Seely, Megan. Fight Like a Girl: How to be a Fearless Feminist. New York and London: New York University Press, 2007.
I think it's clear that the suffragist movement is more accurately portrayed in "Iron Jawed Angels". The film is a very raw depiction of the rough and hard work working for civil rights really is, struggles between the establishment and the younger newer factions, stress surrounding funding, political push back ect. In “Mary Poppins” the movement is portrayed in a more "book club" fashion, more of like a social gathering of women.
I think in both films men underestimate women, but especially in "Mary Poppins" the husband dismisses his wife’s work for the suffragist movement when all the while he has know idea just how successful it will be. In "Iron Jawed Angels" men place much harsher sanctions on the women, especially in the parade scene, men even become violent and bash women implying they "wish to be men".
I think women in both films are doing SOMETHING to disrupt norms about women. Obviously the women in "Iron Jawed Angels" do more because they appear to be farm more out-front on issues regarding the movement. Take for example the women picketing the President in a time of war; these women are willing to be imprisoned for their beliefs. We're not given any indication that the mother in "Mary Poppins" has done anything like this or is willing to be imprisoned for her beliefs.
In my mind these two films are demonstrative of the powerful suggestions of media and it's possibe bias against women and the women's movement as reported in "Fight Like a Girl" (Seely 1). Each of these films portrays suffragists in different ways I would argue that "Mary Poppins" make light of the movement while "Iron Jawed Angels" appropriatly pays it homage.
"Iron Jawe Angels-A Film by Katja Von Garnier". 29 January 2010 .
"Mary Poppins 1964". Answers.com. 29 January 2010 .
Seely, Megan. Fight Like a Girl: How to be a Fearless Feminist. New York and London: New York University Press, 2007.
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