Letters have never been my favorite form of communication, despite my weekly use of snail mail (a tradition my partner and I established when I went away to college and have continued though we now reside in the same city as a form of communication which allows a significant form of creativity, unique expression, and a nice surprise to come home to after a long/hard/tiring/etc. day). I think my least favorite part is the salutation so I’m going to skip it.
For the purposes of semi-anonymous posting thanks to the dangers the interwebs pose, here, I am simply Alex. I am from South Bend and am currently a senior Art History and English Literature double major. This course interests me on a number of levels. Firstly, it fulfills requirements which will allow me to graduate this year. I transferred to Saint Mary’s later on in my college career and so I’m still playing catch up with GenEds (this course being the last I require). However, most of my friends are either Feminists or Women Studies majors/minors or both so I’m interested to begin learning what it’s like to study these issues from an academic standpoint rather than a merely informal one which takes place in conversation with them. I’d like to better understand the methods and theories involved in Women’s Studies on a technical level and understand how to best apply them in the field.
As an Art History major I’ve utilized feminist methodology in studying artwork and I’m interested in enhancing my ability to do so by expanding my knowledge of Women’s Studies. I expect this course will give me the vocabulary and tools to better express the sentiments I already attempt to communicate in a more professional and politically correct manner.
I currently take part in activism via financial donations to charities and groups which support freedom and justice for all. This varies depending on my financial need at the moment I receive my paycheck but I usually manage to budget so that I am able to donate 10% of my pay to these groups and the services they provide. I used to donate to SOS but have since ended that practice because it came to my attention that their management discriminates against their advocates which infuriates me and has encouraged me to find another organization which provides the same services for women but does not treat anyone unfairly.
I think that activism is important because it is expression. Without it, dissent is not possible and change is hard to come by. I have participated in marches and movements in the past and I find it empowering and a great way to raise awareness for others who may not have known about a certain injustice or issue in our community/country/world. I am careful about which organizations and causes I step behind however, because I have some very particular moral criteria which I expect them to adhere to. It’s not difficult criteria, it’s just that most human beings have a hard time showing complete respect, tolerance, equality, and love for all human beings. We seem to be a judging creature.
My definition of feminism is clouded by what may be an overly rationalized or technical approach to the word and movement. I feel that feminism is a delusional movement if it really is what most feminists I know say it is and believe what they say they believe. My argument is rooted in the idea that feminism suggests that both sex and gender are socially constructed Most people agree that there are three primary ways to determine sex. 1. Physical genitalia. 2. The individual’s chromosomes or 3. Whatever sex the individual claims for themselves (regardless of gender identity). Who is to decide which genitalia is which in “ambiguous cases”? If the chromosomes and physical genitalia are at odds which determines one’s sex? And if the person’s identification of their sex is at odds with either or both of their genitalia or chromosomes than do we disregard all these things? Anyway, many feminists agree that one of these three ways is the right way to determine a person’s sex but it remains that these three forms are at odds with one another and society determines which one we use at a given time. So, if sex and gender are socially constructed and therefore not “inherent” or “innate” than the idea of “female” is one which is arbitrary. In the end, it is impossible to determine what “woman” is and so what feminists fight for (equality for all people regardless of sex, gender, race, class, etc, etc, etc,) is really humanism. And using the word “feminism” implies that gender and sex are not arbitrary terms with arbitrary definitions which much of the feminist movement relies upon for their arguments for equal opportunities for all.
I realize that may sound insane but that’s where I stand. Women’s studies on the other hand is the study of what is generally considered “woman” and hir place in the world, generally speaking within hir culture/religion/region/social economic class, etc.
I don’t think there are any major difference between genders because genders are arbitrary terms which mean little to me. I think humans are humans and we’re all pretty well equal, despite our hardware.
The social construct of gender influences my daily life because I attend a “women’s college” and am therefore defined as and generally identify with the idea of woman. I also work in a drive-thru and am constantly sexually harassed, denigrated, and otherwise made to feel inferior because of my outward appearance.
My brainwashing culture has had the most influence on my understanding of how men and women behave but it is hogwash and I’ve come to a greater understanding of the truth of these things through my own experience and those of my friends. I adore the people who break these rules and I aspire to be one. (I hope I succeed).
