Defiant Performance

      Julie Bettie's How Working-Class Chicas Get Working-Class Lives puts into personal detail the complexity of social structures and how economic standing is a major factor. Several young women (mostly Hispanic) were interviewed on what their future goals and aspirations were. The results were non-conforming. The view of adult-hood to the young women did not contain financial and societal success, but rather parenting gained respect. "For them, expressions of sexuality, and by an extension motherhood, operated as a sign of adult status and served to reject teachers' and parents' methods of keeping them childlike" (Bettie, 449).

      The white structure of our society deconstructs the idea of adulthood and replaces it with white, economical, social success and behavior. Those who do not fit into the category of 'prep' are subjected to oppression. By regularly expressing interest in things such as the application of make-up, clothing, and early parenthood as more important than educational achievement, the young women that were interviewed (and those similar from all around the nation) are exposed to negative treatment; there is a very sharp slope in differences between the working class and the middle class that creates additional tension. Bettie points out that these girls, Las Chicas, defiantly work against the norms of society, and I cannot blame them. Society has made it out that the young women Bettie interviewed are limited by the standards predetermined by others. Their lives are a struggle, but they beautifully work around that struggle by focusing on what they deem is adult-like and important.

Kai Myers

10-23-14

Special Topics: Women's Studies

Professor Soyoung Park

Life

      Dorothy Allison's novel, Trash, is a powerful novel that tells the tale of one woman's struggles in combating against death- rather, the desire for escape through death. The main character is one of several children from a poor, rural family, and the sheer number of children create a sense of detachment and remove her own self-worth. "The mystery is how many no one remembers" (Allison, 10). As an adult, she reflects back on her life with a hardened, brash, almost crude view. In the chapter titled Mama, she recalls the fondness and love she has felt for her mother; how she saw her as a rock- an imperfect, cracked rock. She realizes and accepts at one point that her mother has faults just as she does, and she is proud that her mother is reflected in her. "My lovers laugh at me and say, 'Every tenth word with you is Mama. Mama said. Mama used to say. My mama didn't raise no fool.'/ I widen my mouth around my drawl and show my mama's lost teeth in my smile" (Allison, 45).

      These first few chapters have a compelling, gritting, painful sort of beauty that draws the reader in. There is a realness that the main character, in her turmoil, tries to achieve.

Stone Butch Blues

      Have you ever read something that made you question your entire set of thinking? Leslie Feinberg's novel Stone Butch Blues addresses the life of a transgender individual named Jess Goldberg. This novel, in essence, is an exploration on the development of a young person into mid-adulthood. Many questions are brought to light such as whether or not Jess is truly a woman after taking hormones.

      But, honestly, the real questions that the novel tackles is: Who should decide who is a man or a woman? Why should these differences really matter? 

      Society's gender binary has been so deeply rooted into our system that even those who are sworn to protect, those with power feel threatened by the notion of individuals who do not fit into the traditional social, gender roles. I found it sickening and horrifying that Jess and hir friends were subjected to such brutal treatment from all types of figures. I knew that transgender people had suffered, are suffering, but I did not realize to what extent until I was placed in Jess's shoes. I saw through hir eyes the trauma that violent, cruel oppression brought, and I was absolutely disgusted.

      People who are transgender are humans; they want to feel normal and accepted. However, the patriarchal social structure of this modern society has and will continue to be the major division between oppression and personal freedom unless something is done.

      

Kai Myers

10-9-13

Special Topics: Women's Studies

Professor Soyoung Park

The Evolution of Transgender Treatment

      In Leslie Feinberg's Transgender Liberation: A Movement Whose Time Has Come ze brings to note that the gender codes have never been stable. In fact, "they are changing social concepts" (Feinberg, 206). In essence, transgenders  have been a part of society for centuries and were once prominent part of the social structure. The development of the patriarchy has created the illusion that it has been the sole dominating  factor, and it has formed oppression toward those who are not white, male, heterosexual men.

      Several examples of transgender are recorded in history. For example, Native Americans found transgender women to be among the most influential and powerful. "Perhaps the most notable of all berdache Native women was Barcheeampe, the Crow 'Woman Chief,' the most famous war leader in the history of the upper Missouri nations" (Fienberg, 209).

      So why is it that trans people are treated with little to no respect and are supposedly subordinate to the binary gender division of today's society? The reason is simple: those with interest in power won important historical battles that ultimately altered the social structure of the gender code. The new gender code best meets the needs and interests of those who want security in important positions and the like.

  

Kai Myers

10-2-13

Special Topics: Women's Studies

Professor Soyoung Park

Is Drag Really Offensive to Women?

      Judith Butler in her article Gender is Burning questions whether or not findings, spoken from a variety of sources, about the provocative, imitative, and socially destructive nature of drag are true. Butler breaks down the thinking of  feminist theorists Marilyn Frye and Janice Raymond. "The tradition within feminist thought has argued that drag is offensive to women and that it is an imitation based in ridicule and degradation" (Butler, 385). Then, decisively, Butler brings her own opinion into the matter. She states that, "...This 'being a man' and this 'being a woman'  are internally unstable affairs" (Butler, 385).

      In truth, drag is not at all a form of misogyny. The ambiguous nature of gender does not allow for a true definition on what is for men and what is for women. Drag is an entirely difference subculture in itself that presents itself outside of the social norm.

      Realness is another important factor within the drag community, and quite frankly, by emulating this realness, there is a sense of desire to become a woman in one aspect or another. It is not damaging toward women to be emulated by drag queens- rather, by leaving the notion of modern society's ideals, drag queens have stepped into the spotlight of personal prejudice by the very type of people they wish to become.

      

     

Kai Myers

10-2-13

Special Topics: Women's Studies

Professor Soyoung Park

Paris is Burning: Film Response

      I can honestly say that this documentary intrigued me. I had no idea the drag queen community (specifically of New York City but more than likely elsewhere, as well) had such an extensive form of operations. It was interesting to see how they had a sense of community, much like any other culture. There are subcategories within the overall community, more commonly referred to as "houses". 

      I think the word "houses" is wonderfully and aptly applied. Many gender deviants are shunned from their original homes due to their nonconformity, and it is usually a house within the drag queen community that takes them in as their own. Not only is the idea of houses an efficient way to organize, but it is also a way to give gender queers something to identify with. In other words, a house is a place where they can express themselves without concern and have a sense of personal stability.

      It was also really neat to learn about the "Ball" and how it equates to gender deviants (who win) to being a super model or someone famous. It is the counteraction toward society's neglect to recognize them due to their differences.

    All in all, I learned a ton, and I would definitely re-watch this as well as recommend this film to others.