Event #1

Women’s Studies Event #1

Magdalen Hsu-Li: Smashing the Ceiling

Thursday, September 20, 2007

With an impressive combination of soulful music and inspirational storytelling, Magdalen Hsu-Li put on a great performance. As a self proclaimed feminist and bisexual advocate Magdalen was able to tell inspiring tales of overcome many difficulties in her life such as tourette syndrome, racial adversity, and sexual adversity both as a woman and as a bisexual.

As an appropriate starting point, Magdalen played her song, “Not an Ordinary Girl”, which in my opinion covered many of the concepts discussed in Women’s Studies thus far. The lyrics addressed the idea of a mythical norm and an imaginary ideal woman. Besides the hint of frustration that such an idea exists, the overwhelming emotion of the song expressed was determination. Determination used in the sense that she was out to prove that she was not the typical girl, but a better girl because of her individualistic qualities. She has takes what society would consider differences and celebrates them.

Magdalen talked about discovering the hidden biases of her surrounding community. Her parents as immigrants attempted to assimilate with the local Virginia culture and in their mind they succeeded. Magdalen saw a different picture; a picture of her parents stripping away their own identities in order to fill a spot that society had set for them. Magdalen also struggled inside her societal role as an Asian -American female. She was casted as meek, quiet, patient, and obedient. When Magdalen didn’t meet all this conditions she was often told that she wasn’t acting appropriately according to her race. It wasn’t until her high school years did she realize how she was being judged. It was then when started to stand up to her teachers, parents, and community and defend her identity has an individual instead of an Asian-American girl.

Having a sexual orientation besides heterosexuality can be difficult on anyone. Often times it can be hard for the individual to admit their orientation to themselves let alone to the world. Magdalen didn’t choose when to tell everyone that she was bisexual. A confidant revealed her secret during a dinner party. At first Magdalen was embarrassed as she watched her sexual orientation be turned into the joke of the party, but then she decided that she would turn it into a positive. She became an advocate for bisexuals and homosexuals.

I found Magdalen to be inspiring speaker. Instead of accepting the difficulties placed before her as fate or normal, she used them to better her life and to help others in the process. She actually took the variations from the mythical norm as fate to become an advocate for all those who do not fit that ideal image. Her confidence and spirit was moving.

Activity #5 - Gender Aptitude Test

Kate Bornstein, the author of My Gender Workbook, questions the social association between gender and sex along with the possible realms of gender orientation. Bornstein separates gender from sex; gender is the categorization of people based on appearance, genitalia, psychology, and societal roles. Sex is purely the act. She further explains that there are four main aspects to gender: assignment, role, identity, and attribution. Assignment is the societal designation of male or female. This is usually determined by genitalia present at birth. Gender role is the cultural expectations for the gender assignment. Identity is what the individual feels they are at the moment or should be. Attribution is how we determine others to be based on preconceived ideas.

Based on the reading I wasn’t surprised by the aptitude test. The questions were designed to make the taker wonder about their assumptions, especially those that connect sex to gender. It also really called gender identity into focus and separated it from gender assignment. I was evaluated as a “gender novice”, basically new to the questioning of one’s own identity and the role of identities in society. I think the test is great at having people questions their beliefs and to have people think about the norm that has been established in their minds through culture. Having it be multiple choice limited the responses though. Often times I didn’t really relate to any of the options for a certain question. I wanted room to explain myself; if gender is really a spectrum or circle, then having us choose between only four possibilities doesn’t really correlate with that idea. With that being said I also agreed with my results. Through this class and especially the articles for this assignment, I have just started to question my gender identity in sense that I do not match the mythical feminine norm nor do I want to. I think the test was very interesting and thought provoking in the world of gender.

CRJ #4

CRJ # 4

Anne Fausto-Sterling’s proposal to change the current two-sex system to a five-sex system in human society was fascinating (140). Modern society is entirely geared towards classifying everyone into two sexes, male and female, but this illogical when one considers how many hermaphrodites are born into the world. Over one percent of live births result in some form of an intersex child; that is an extremely high rate to be considered just a birth defect or abnormality. While dividing the sexes into five groups may be a bit extreme, three groups seems like a fair medium. Older cultures such as the Native Americans actually had a three gender system where intersex people had their own active roles inside of the society (125). Society should be more accepting of intersexuals instead of having parents of hermaphroditic children decide if their baby should be a boy or girl almost instantly after birth.

It was shocking to realize how brainwashed everyone on in our society is to the two-gender system. From birth we are taught how to act as either a boy or a girl from the clothing we wear to the toys we play with to how we interact with others. Gender is developed and taught, not biologically assigned. The activities that are assigned to the sexes are based on ancient preconceived notions that have no really justified truth. To be feminine is to be passive, graceful, and gentle while to be masculine is to be strong, aggressive, and dominant. People that challenge these social norms are either judged as homosexual or peculiar. There is no biological reason for these stereotypes. Women, although typically smaller, can be stronger than men especially when it comes to tests of endurance. Men can be extremely emotional at times. People cannot fit inside classified norms. When trying to classify people especially into two polar opposite categories there are too many outsiders. This unfair to a majority of the population.

CRJ #3

Carole Vance’s discussion on the social construction theory was fascinating. There is a cultural belief that there are set “truths” about the “natural” behavior and sexuality of the sexes. These beliefs entail that men and women are naturally heterosexual, men should not possess feminine qualities, and women should not possess masculine qualities. These beliefs are not truths though; they are carefully constructed ideas by society. Society created the idea of biological determinism; that biology, through genes most likely, creates appropriate gender behavior patterns. Females are supposed to possess feminine qualities such as beauty, artisanship, and delicacy. Males are supposed to be masculine with qualities such as strength. Essentialism is the belief that that biology can determine one’s behavior. Throughout history the typical roles of males and females have stayed basically the same, and the according to essentialists this is because it passed on through genetics. Social constructionists believe that behaviors are learned and shaped by society not through biological processes. Society determines the specific roles that members of a gender can play appropriately in and outside of the home. There is set of suitable behaviors and qualities that will allow for one to float through life easier. By making life harder for those who don’t fit this suitable norm, society has a way to control gender roles and sexuality. Over time the suitable norm becomes so common that it is deemed as a natural instinct or produced by some biological factor. Through this society has become unified, and people who do not fit are made to feel that they are abnormal. Homosexuals are considered either rebels or biological irregularities. The essentialist idea of biological determination of gender behavior is illogical though because everyone is different. Females vary in interest, looks, and lifestyles. There is set of values that all women can fit into. The same applies to men. Also, it is a societal theory that men are superior to women in many aspects.

CRJ #2

Peggy McIntosh brings up a key issue concerning feminism, racism, and any other systematic oppression in White Privilege and Male Privilege. While many people will admit that there are issues in the world, they will not admit that they are a contributor or that from these issues they actually gain an advantage. This is a major issue because while open sexism and racism have been controlled through social awareness and government acts including Title IX, they still remain subconsciously. There cannot be equality between the sexes and the races until the people with advantages, particularly Caucasians and males, acknowledge the advantages race and sex contributes to their daily lives. Until reading this section I was unaware of the advantages being white and middle class has given me. I have entered the university setting without anyone questioning the path that led me there. No one questions whether or not my race played an important role in my admissions process. It is basically assumed that I received my admissions letter due to my intelligence and application. White privilege can go unnoticed; live dormant inside all Caucasians as the invisible package, because we are accustomed to having these daily privileges. The privileges we receive are perceived as normal, automatic, and natural. We grow up learning that America’s foundation is based on the bootstrap myth, that with enough work and motivation everyone is able to climb the economic ladder towards success for their selves and their family. People who are not able to climb are either shiftless or unfortunate. The suggested cure for this social disease is acknowledgment of the problem. This is a difficult thing to face, because it is easier to see these advantages as rewards for hard work than as undeserved rights of a section of people. People do not want to admit that they have been granted unfair advantage in life, or risk losing that advantage.

Homophobia generates sexism. There is an assumption that men and women are supposed to be heterosexual and that being homosexual is “different” or “weird”. It relates back to the mythical norm of what a woman is supposed to represent, and thus when she varies from that ideal image is conceived has being unnatural. Pharr discusses how lesbians are perceived as people who want to live completely without men and thus are against men. This is a radical notion that has no factual foundation. The perception and fear of lesbians causes unnecessary hate and suppression. Lesbians are backed into a corner with two choices, either suppress their sexuality from the public or live an honest lifestyle with the fear of being judged against because of their sexual orientation. This unjust ultimatum causes unnecessary obstacles in homosexuals’ lives. This form of suppression is heterosexual privilege. The only way to stop this is to acknowledge that it exists and to live our lives in a fashion that does not allow it to persist.

Activity #4 - A girl like me

In chapter two of Women’s Voices Feminist Vision the mythical norm is defined as a standard that all women are compared; “white, middle-class, heterosexual, abled, thin, and young” (pg. 60). Women that deviate from the “norm” are considered different, strange, outsiders. Whether or not we realize it, this ideal norm is embedded into almost everyone’s mind. It’s easy to recognize these factors when one’s own image varies from the norm. Typically people can sense and grasps that they are being judged against because of a particular aspect of their image or culture, but it’s exponentially harder for the same people to recognize the advantages certain image and cultural aspects grant them. The ironic part is that no one truly fits the mythical norm, and why would anyone want to?

Culture, society, and the media all impact a person’s lifestyle, self image, and self esteem. These aspects sadly instead of using their power to create positive images, succumb to contributing to the mythical norm. The implantation of the mythical norm in people starts at an extremely early age. Think about the toy industry: Barbie is a beyond ideal thin, white, female. Four-year-olds play and start to compare themselves to a toy that they will never be able to resemble. Even Disney movies that try to teach moral lessons and good behavior support the ideal female image. When has anyone seen a black Disney Princess? When these ideals are placed inside children it alters their own self image, especially among the non-whites. In the film African-American children were asked to choose between a black doll and a white doll. A shocking majority chose the white doll, even though it did not resemble them. Clearly this shows a concerning possibility; the children have learned that there is a difference in skin tones, and that this difference has higher importance than just appearance. The white doll is “better” and “prettier” because that is the way society treats white children over black children. This deviation in fairness among children due to race can cause lasting harm to non-white children’s self worth. This decrease in self worth only goes on to enhance the superiority of white children. Chapter two also mentions a concept called horizontal hostility. This is when people who feel that they are in a lower status will take their frustration out on people within their status range or even lower. By creating lower self esteem in children, these children will grow up to be adults that continue to enforce the belief system.

Can one’s skin color, hair texture, nose shape, or any other physical aspect determine their character, intelligence, or value? Absolutely not. Peggy McIntosh lists all the ways that being white has helped her in her life. It’s shocking to think that certain life tasks and goals are made easier just because of one’s skin color. White privileges are everywhere if you stop to look at them. Applying for loans, shopping at certain stores, passing through airport checking stations are all statistically easier if you are white. White men and women are more likely to be hired for top positions. Just because someone is white with smooth hair does that make them smarter than someone with tight curls and a darker skin pigment? When the girls in the video started to talk about skin bleaching systems and hair relaxers I was a bit disturbed. What sort of world do we live in where people would want to bleach away their beautiful skin tone? With lighter skin would they be a different person? I would hope not. Skin has nothing to do with the brain and the heart, but from a social standpoint it is a leading characteristic. It all leads back to the mythical norm and white privilege. The closer one is to the ideal man/woman the better their life will be. I appreciated the girls in the movie talking so freely about how their lives have been affected. I have noticed that although racism has been inappropriate among many Americans, it still resides inside many unnoticed. My sister has two beautiful biracial children, but I have witnessed on more than one occasion typically white women approach her and tell her how wonder if is that she adopted. While these ladies believe themselves to be granted a complement to a young mother, they are actually insulting her choice of family and lifestyle. My sister has to then explain that her children are not adopted, but biological. That though they do have their father’s skin pigment and textured hair, if you look closely they have her eyes, mouth, and nose. It is almost as if the mythical norm is now taking on more aspects and a new shape with the growing and evolving society. It’s a scary thought to have to face, but as long as everyone keeps celebrating their differences and self image then maybe we can break the mythical norm.

Assignment #3 Tolerance Tests

I found the Tolerance quizzes to be fun and enlightening. It makes perfect sense due this sort of assignment at the beginning of the Women’s Studies course, because often times people can be taught, lectured at, or read about a certain topic but never actually absorb the information. This quiz allowed us to see a glimpse of how we naturally feel. Hopefully those who discovered that they do have a bias towards women will be able to use this course to either break down that bias or at least reach a level where they are more consciously aware of it and its impact on the world. Now I do not think these tests are perfect because so much depended on your computer skills, state of mind, and ability to comprehend words at a fast pace.

The gender test gave me the strongest feedback. I showed a strong association of males with careers and females with families. At first these results were a bit of a shock because I don’t feel like I was raised in a society or a household in which women are restricted to the home. My mother has had a full time job since before I was born. I was raised to believe that I could have any job I wanted; doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc. I grew up in a college town were a good percentage of my friends’ mothers were scientists, professors, or possessed some other high end University occupation. The more I thought about it the more I think that my results stem more from just my own liking. I’ve known since I was little that I either want a lot of children of my own or to work in setting in which I interact with children on a daily basis. I think it’s natural for me to association women with families and men with careers because internally that is part of what I want for myself. On the other hand I really respect women with major careers, so I wouldn’t say that I have a bias towards them. I was shocked by the general public results, saying that less than one percent of the total poll takers showed a strong link between females and careers. I would have thought with all the advances women have made in the last 50 or so years that the number would have been greatly higher. I also took a quiz relating men and women to science and liberal arts. My results were that I moderately associated women with liberal arts and men with the sciences. I wanted to see if my results would match what I had received on the gender-career test. I think these results were closer to my hometown and internal beliefs. I still think that it is a bit ironic that I showed a slight bias against women and sciences when I am thinking about entering a science major.

The last quiz I took was on discovering if you have a preference between thin and obese people. My results were that I had no automatic preference between the two, but yet again I was shocked by the general statistics. Twenty five percent of the people polled had a strong association with thin people and only one percent had a strong association with obese. I think this mostly had to do with pop culture at the moment, with everyone’s attention on celebrities, fitness, and diets. Also I find that weight is one of the few biases that seem to be almost socially acceptable. Many people view weight as an aspect of one’s life that can be controlled. Also since weight has a dominate influence on other health issues it make sense to want to be healthy, and healthy is often mistaken as thin.

I think that many biases are acceptable because there hasn’t been a big enough voice in the media or public to acclaim them unacceptable. Racism was widely regarded as normal until the issue was raised in enough campaigns, protests, and debates until a majority of people agreed that it was unacceptable. I know these tests made me question some of my assumptions and beliefs on people and the world around me. I also hope that everyone else who take the test will take the time to consider their results and how they achieved them.