SL BLOG #3

SL Blog #3 Week of Nov.19^th, 2011

Activism:

This week my community partner VOX joined with NOW and helped them raise money for their organization. We encouraged as many people to attend. It was held at a café and many other organizations attended as well. They had entertainment and were giving out raffles. They were able to make raise money as well as give some education of about each of their organizations (it wasn’t just fun but informative as well). My only issue was that there might have been more that attended had the local been bigger and in an area that was easy to get to. Well, in my case because I don’t live nearby it was difficult to find. The next time we have an event such as this one I think it should be done somewhere on campus (if possible). But, I think that overall we had much success.

Reflection:

Although, the benefit cause was for NOW and not my community partner we still had a part. Both organizations joined together to announce this gathering and give out information to the students that came. Because, we were working with NOW I learned a few things from their group that I didn’t know. I also found out that both VOX and NOW work together because they both work towards women’s issues. Working with them I was reminded of our Violence Against Women chapter from the Women’s Lives Multicultural Perspectives book. A section from this chapter explained the importance of activism and how it can make a change.  It stated as follows by Judith Herman M.D. “changing public consciousness about a traumatic issue like violence against women takes a concerted political movement” (p.267). The main reason I chose this passage was because of the meaning it had. If we stand up as a group and try to change any form of oppression then maybe we can eventually change how society thinks. We can only do it one person at a time. It is much like what we did when we were raising money for the NOW organization, we all worked together for one same cause.

Reciprocity:

Attending this event I met new people that I might not have spoken to before. I have become educated and learned that we need to look beyond appearances and instead see what is inside. To hear what all these different people I met had to say was amazing. Everyone had diverse views of the many issues we are facing today. In a feminist perspective I think that they may see what is happening as we are all focused on the serious issues rather than other things like what we look like or who we are. Instead we come together and try to figure out what is the best thing to do to solve the problems by having discussions. The different opinions are encouraged instead of looked down at. And, I think this is important because this is how we can include everyone when trying to fix a situation. In my opinion this is how society should work rather than trying to get rid of the new ideas and stick with the old. 

Works Cited

Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women’s Lives Multicultural Perspectives 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010.

SL BLOG #2

SL Blog #2 Week of Nov. 16^th, 2011

Activism:

This week I was out tabling with VOX and we were working on calling the White House to keep birth control free and reduced. Each one of the members that was tabling along with any other that we could get made the calls. Most of us were able to get in contact with the White House and tell them how we felt about it. However, as for myself I wasn’t able to get in contact with them because every time I tried something came up. Unfortunately, this was the issue for some. The other negative side to this was that we were only given two days to call in and express our opinions about it. I think that in the event that we have another chance doing this, we should keep trying to get as many people as we can. And, also to try to find a way so that we have more time because, the lines can get busy with so many callers. I think that we all tried our best and hopefully the hard work should pay off.

Reflection:

When I came that Wednesday I had an idea of what the Obama Administration was talking about because, I had heard from some of my classmates. But, it wasn’t until I got there that I was able to read about it. Its main purpose is to charge for birth control instead of keeping it free or at least less than what they want to make it. This reminded me of the Women’s bodies, Women’s health chapter from the Women’s Lives Multicultural Perspectives text. In this chapter it explained how women should have the right to control their own reproductive health. As the text says “…we need sex education that is accurate and culturally appropriate; affordable and reliable birth control” (p. 211). Without having the accessibility of affordable birth control many women are going to feel with very little options as to what to do. Having a part in this really made me feel better because I felt like I was making a difference.   My view of feminism now is that they are women and men united joined together fighting for the same cause. At least it was what I saw that day when everyone pitched in to make the calls to the White House. And, I believe that my community partner has the same opinion I do because, it is in the action that they do. As I get more involved and learn more by working with my community partner I realize two things. One that feminism is not what people may believe that it is. And, secondly I get to encounter people that don’t agree with our views.

Reciprocity:

Working with VOX has taught me many things. I’ve learned how to work better with others and even how to talk to those that may not have the same opinion I do. Each time I meet with them I learn something new. In a feminist perspective I think that this means that slowly I’m being educated and stronger as a woman. With the knowledge I gain it gives me more support, and ability to fight for my rights.

Works Cited:

Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women’s Lives Multicultural Perspectives 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010.

SL Blog #1

SL Blog #1 Week of Nov.9^th, 2011

Activism:

During this week I helped out and tabled. It was very interesting to see how all the information that they had out. By passing out pamphlets, pins, and even condoms I learned something myself. We tabled by the student union and spoke to as many students that passed by. Some were very interested to see what our table was about and were very kind to listen to what we had to say. It was good to see many students both females and males stop by and ask for information. The only problem was that we couldn’t get everyone to stop and then there are those that just don’t agree with what we have to say. Overall I think a lot was accomplished with the time we had. My suggestions for the other week is just to try to get the students attention more so they become aware and possibly join the organization.

Reflection:

This week’s work relates to the chapter of Women’s Sexuality chapter in the Women’s Lives Multicultural Perspectives text (WLMP). The passage that I was focusing on was talking about the activism that helps educated women and men on “sexuality and health” (p.159). “…organizations, and women’s studies programs where they link their knowledge and experiences of oppression based on sexuality with other oppressions” (p.160). After reading this and working with my community partner it convinces me more that it is a must to have groups, and classes that deal with women’s sexuality. It is important for young women and women of any age to become informed of their bodies. But, it also can help educate the men. I think my community partner want to educate students and show t hem that they are not alone and that they have options and the right to make decisions for their own bodies. I think that by working towards this and as members becoming educated we are doing more for the community around us. The more we know the more we are going to care and take action. As said in the WLMP text “feminists have engaged in heated arguments about women’s sexuality agency in patriarchal cultures” (p.156). As a group they are working on changing how society is treating women’s sexuality.

Reciprocity:

In return from helping my community partner I think I am gaining the proper knowledge to inform myself as well as others. Every day I learn more and become more involved and aware of what is truly going on in our society. I feel I can go out and help someone that may need advice and, show them that they can have their opinions even though not everyone may agree. Giving education on sexual health can be one of the most important things women can receive. It is vital that they are informed well and know they are not alone.

Works Cited:

Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women’s Lives Multicultural Perspectives 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010.

Campus Engagement

Campus Engagement #1

On November 14, 2011 I attended Dan Savage’s Q&A about sex. It was very interesting because, most people prefer not to speak out so clearly about sex. Many people still treat the subject as taboo. What I liked most was how open the questions were. And, the questions were not just about sex but it included questions on relationships as well. Dan answered the questions by offering advice. However, there was one question that I did not agree with Dan’s response, at first. One of the audience members had asked “how can I stop my boyfriend from objectifying me”? His response was “why would you want him not to”? To be honest it made me upset that he would answer it like that because I just couldn’t understand how being objectified would be a good thing. But, then he went into detail about what he meant. He basically said that it is good to have someone see you for your physical attributes sometimes, because it gives a boost of confidence for the girlfriend/boyfriend. He did say that it shouldn’t happen all the time because, then that’s when it becomes rude.  It’s good to receive a compliment every once in a while from your significant other. I have to say that he got me on that one because, once he put it that way I wasn’t so upset with his answer. Another question asked was “what were his thoughts on monogamy”? Dan gave an interesting answer again because, this question lead to speaking about being “faithful”. He explained that if two people can remain monogamous then it is a great accomplishment for that couple. His advice was that to have a strong relationship with your partner both need to be very opened with each other and, to discuss the possibilities of being unfaithful. Dan began to explain that this conversation should be one of the first between a couple and, trying to figure out what will happen and even if the “relationship can survive” this predicament. Which, I thought was an effective way of approaching such a stressful situation. But, he really caught my attention when he asked the audience a question. “If you discover your partner cheated on you 15 years ago are you going to throw away all those memories and moments together over a mistake”? Dan was trying to ask if that one error was more important than the relationship. That question gets you and makes you think very hard about how or what to do in that situation. And, then of course there were some really explicit questions that made me laugh because I know I wouldn’t have even thought to ask about. The only thing missing was I would have liked that there were more questions concerning women issues but, overall it was a fun and good experience.