Better dead than pregnant

Having control over someone’s reproductive system was troubling to me. Seeing that made me think about what our society really feels. I have open feelings on many subjects and can open my eyes to ideas, but for this it really got my attention and made me think and realize many different things about our society and government. I first of all do not feel strongly about our government and the way things are handled and views on certain matters on what is important and what is not. Having control of reproducing with women of color is a horrible thing. After this and seeing how our government can look at it as a issue with security is faulty and just ridiculous. White America in my eyes feel threatened by having other races reproduced and it is a shame. People need to open there eyes and realize what our country has been made up of. Whites were not the original settlers on Americas. Controlling a reproductive system is negative and not good for society. I feel women are the most important people in our world because without them how would we be able to reproduce and just the aspect of having woman’s care and touch. This reading shows how men are trying to be in control of everything. We could easily do something in reverse to a male with sperm and things of that nature but we target the women and in my opinion it is wrong. Women are precious and through this reading it shows me how important they are. The reproductive system of any man or women shouldn’t be tampered with because giving life is a beautiful thing and this can take that away.

And since we all came from a woman
Got our name from a woman and our game from a woman
I wonder why we take from our women
Why we rape our women, do we hate our women?
I think it's time to kill for our women
Time to heal our women, be real to our women
And if we don't we'll have a race of babies
That will hate the ladies, that make the babies
And since a man can't make one
He has no right to tell a woman when and where to create one
So will the real men get up
I know you're fed up ladies, but keep your head up
-Tupac Shakur

5 faces of oppression

This reading discusses in depth how Blacks, American Indians, Chicanos, Jews, physically and mentally disabled, elderly, etc are discriminated against in society. She talks primarily about five different types of oppression including powerlessness, exploitation, violence, cultural imperialism, and marginalization. It also addresses how the oppression of one group creates advantages for another, and how such behavior results in the forming of social norms and stereotypes by and for all. It was interesting to read about how each group is oppressed differently and how they may even receive a combination of the types. Personally, this reading was impacting because it was forward and stated the obvious, that everyone is oppressed and discriminated against regardless of their heritage or status in society. Everyone has experienced oppression and it is unfortunate that it still continues. But the harsh reality is that it probably will not stop and we can only hope to develop new strategies that will slowly but surely bring about positive change. In an effort to better understand oppression, one must be able to define it in a way that is consistent with it’s effect on individuals and society as a whole. According to the reading, oppression is any disadvantage or injustice that someone faces because of everyday practices. This definition is simply put, and can’t possibly grasp the negative consequences of such. Perhaps experiencing oppression is the only way to fully comprehend it.

Dreamworld!!!

The media has negatively put its effects on sexuality and romance. Showing men as higher powers and making women look to be seen as slaves to men bowing down to there every command. This presents the idea that women are sex objects. These images people false sense of sex and shows that, people want sex easy and easy romance. With the images given people can have a feel that what the media says is true and the way to be. Intimacy and sex can be present without the role play and we have our own desires through intimacy and sex. In ‘Dreamworld’ male heterosexuality is shown as a powerful sex object that is needed for women to survive. The video portrays the negative stereotype of women being sex objects by them waiting on the men to sweep them off their feet with sexual desires they may have, and shows how the women are dependent on a man. The film also presents men as driven on sex. I feel the media shouldn't have these negative portrayals of sex especially seen through the youth in America. The negative images of sexuality are not what really goes on in our society and these can be harmful. More realistic scenes and images of women should be put out there for respect of women. Music videos portray femininity as submissive, sexy, with whore like women that show their need to having men fulfilling sexual desires and being their dominant force, again showing how women must depend on the men. The stories are just that and not in the womens favor. This is a dreamworld for young boys, young men, and grown men. It shows more of a pornalistic (a new vocab word) world and how sex is a driven factor for men.
A womens dreamworld would be much different and would show different signs of sex. more intimacy, romance, and all that good stuff will be present. the way men and media portray and see women would be different in many ways. Dreamworld has opened my eyes up to the negativity masculinity has and its effect. I feel that the images in todays society of men and women in the pop culture have this impact of violence shown towards girls and women. This is wrong.

Encountering the American Holocaust

The primary focus in this article is that the American Holocaust was far worse than the Nazi Holocaust. In addition, regardless of that people still firmly believe that American’s strategy for obtaining more land was not killing. This reading was very impacting because it included several different views and ideas about the holocaust and it’s effect on the world. The fact that it included actual statistics and numbers gave me a better understanding of how detrimental it really was. The information presented in the reading was convincing and didn’t hesitate to address many different aspects of the issue at hand. It is apparent through the reading that the American Holocaust was one of the most horrific events in history. Millions of people were killed in this massacre and or through health problems/disease. I liked that the author took an approach as if the reader had no prior knowledge of the incident. For that reason, I was able to learn a lot and gain a thorough understanding of what happened.

Towards a definition of patriarchy

Heidi Hartman

This reading revolves primarily around the common portrayal of the traditional American family. More specifically, it addresses the idea that men are the sole money earners while women remain at home doing household chores. There are several reasons for these beliefs, including facts like men earn more money than women do on average and in turn, hold a higher status in society. Due to this, men also hold more power and control over the less dominant group (women). The reading has somewhat of a feminist approach and it also fails to introduce the potential benefits of a patriarchal society, but it gives the reader a better understanding of how both men and women function in society and how they are portrayed by others. My initial reaction involves disappointment because it is apparent that women are treated unfairly and not always given equal opportunities at work simply because of their gender stereotypes which label them as weak and incapable. I feel that while living in a patriarchal society has it’s benefits, it has developed into an unfortunate situation because it has interrupted the equality between men and women.

Abstract for Final Project

Title: Masculinity and It’s Detrimental Effect
Topic Statement: This topic surrounds the idea of masculinity and how it inevitably effects individuals in society in negative ways leading to greater issues like violence toward women, gender stereotypes, sex scripts, and male dominance.

Thesis:
One of society’s greatest problems today stems directly from the issue of violence toward women. The oppression of women in society has lead to an obsession with masculinity and provoked serious efforts to diminish patriarchy. After looking deeper into the context of society, it is evident that violence toward women can be attributed to several factors including the male centered, male identified, and male dominated society in which we live.

Supporting Theories:

The reading titled “What is Masculinity?” provides a better understanding of what it means to be hyper masculine and how that can ultimately effect individual behavior. The theory suggests that masculinity can inevitably lead to patterns of violence within society.

The next reading, “Toward a definition of Patriarchy” discusses how men are the dominate figures in society. This is an important perspective because it better defines gender barriers and how they can create problems for women in society and diminish equality between men and women.

The final reading selected, “Oppression, Privilege and Resistance” revolves around the idea that the oppression of one group allows privilege of another group which is one of the components of discrimination and violence toward women. When women are subjected to oppression it leads to male dominance and power and a negative portrayal of women in general.

References: Oppression, Privilege, and Resistance (pgs. 143-147)

Masculinities and Culture (Chapter 1)

Inequality and Violence in the US (Chapter 1)

Tough Guise

Tough Guise shows how negative views of masculinity are present and continue to be seen negative. This shows how young men are viewing the tough guy stance as being a real man and feel toughness is the only way in being a man. The way our society is, men have this standard of having to be a strong physical type of person. The negativity that has been put on masculinity is and can be harmful. Men may have control over a lot of things and have this image but is that what we are suppose to live like and be like? There are many women who are capable of doing things men can and are probably better at it, so why cant we put an image of women being this tough person. I feel that we live in a "man's" world and will probably always be this way mainly because of how things are ran and how these negative images are instilled in the minds of young people which can carry with them for their whole lives.

Through my childhood my grandfather was the main man who ran everything and the women were second to his decisions and sayings. Even though my family has more women in my generation and the one before me the men have the control and authority. This is present because of the stereotypes of men having to be the higher power. Women may run my family but ultimately the man is who makes the final decision. Tough guise shows all these examples and shows that men need to be the leader of whatever may be at hand.

Crash-racial stereotyping and prejudice

The movie Crash has many examples of racial stereotyping and prejudice. From the very beginning stereotypes against multiple races are shown. There are a wealthy white man and woman walking down the street and Jean holds onto her purse and moves closer to her husband Rick when she sees two black men walking toward them. Anthony and Peter, the two black men walking toward Jean and Rick notice Jean’s reaction and they hijack Rick and Jean’s SUV. This confirmed the negative feelings that Jean had toward black men. When they get home she wants the locks changed because her purse was stolen and the car keys with the house keys were in the hands of strangers. Rick hired a Mexican man to do the lock replacement. Jean comes downstairs and sees the Mexican man and gets very upset. She makes some racial remarks about Daniel going out and selling the new keys to his “homies” and she wants the locks changed again the next day. Rick thinks that she is being irrational. She screams at him that she just got a gun shoved in her face and how is she supposed to feel.

Cameron and Christine are a black well off couple. They experience stereotyping and racism when they are driving home from a party. A white police officer pulls them over for driving while black. He makes them both get out of the car and does a search on both Cameron and Christine. Officer Ryan has Cameron and Christine stand next to each other so Cameron can see what he does to his wife. Ryan runs his hands up Christine’s legs and fingers her. Cameron does nothing to stop this violation of his wife because he is afraid of the legal consequences of speaking out against a white police officer. Cameron and Christine got in a fight when they got home because Christine was angry that Cameron did not stick up for her to Ryan. Ryan also had a white partner with him, Hansen, that thinks the inappropriate search is wrong but does nothing to stop it because Ryan is his partner.

Farhad is a Middle Eastern store owner who fears for the safety of his family because everyone thinks of them as terrorist because of the 9/11 attacks. His store gets broken into and there is graffiti written all over the walls. He hires Daniel to fix the lock on the back wall that Jean and Rick hired. When Daniel goes home to his family his little girl runs out to meet him. As she runs out the front door she almost gets shot by a stray bullet from a black man doing a drive by. Daniel jumps in front of her so she doesn’t get hit, the bullet was blank. Daniel tells the little girl that an angel is watching over them because he did not die.

Graham is a black officer who has a Hispanic partner, Rita. They are dating in addition to being partners. At one point they are lying in bed together and the phone rings. Graham answers it and tells his mom that he will talk to her later that he is with a white woman. Rita gets mad at this because she is Puerto Rican and the only reason he said he was with a white woman was because that would make is mom angrier than if he would have said he was with a Hispanic woman.

There are many examples of racism and stereotypes in the movie Crash. It is blatant and outright racism with some of the characters. Anthony, Jean, and Ryan have the most obvious feelings of racism. Rick, Hansen, and Peter do not have strong racist feelings but they do little or nothing to stop the racist behavior of their wife, partner, and friend.

Something about the subject makes it hard to name

Gloria Yamamato

This reading talks about racism and how it wont be demolished easy and will not be easy to get rid of. Racism is evident everywhere in our world and can not be resolved easily. Taking necessary actions in everyday life, having discussions with others, and trying to open the eyes and minds of others can help the with racism but will not completely take it away. In the reading there are four different types of racism discussed that can be found in our society, aware/blatant, aware/covert, unaware/unintentional, and unaware/self-righteous racism. I feel that being aware and covert about it can be the best because you know about racism and are low key about how you feel on it. Some people are born into families that have hate for other races and groups which can have an affect on someone. With openess and a will minds can always be changed and things can be seen differently. The forms of racism discussed in my opinion are all negative and wrong. People should just look at life for what it is and not base decisions on people because of their race and groups they associate themselves with. Through this reading i find myself more aware to the types of racism and how some people minds are.

SEXISM IN THE GAMING INDUSTRY

Video games have always been a male preferred thing to do. I feel the reason games are becoming more and more appealing for men is the fact that men play games more than women especially at an older age. The arguments for this article is that videos, movies, etc., are portraying their characters as products and not people. Our society today is filled with a lot of different things that can exploit an individual or group in ways people may have no interest or have aa high interest for. Its all about marketing and sells. Money is powerful in our world and trying to get the most is everyone's goal especially in advertisement. The way games are advertised is to make money, not to really worry about who thinks its wrong to sell and who thinks its not the right message but its a business. Games have real life situations in them which can be harmful to some people and age groups and should probably not be sold to a younger audience who may not get the concepts, this is why games come with warning labels and age prefered players.

Racial Formation

Race is something that is biologically inherited but the constructs that go along with it are socially constructed. Science can be used to put people in different groups, in different societies race is looked at differently because of the social standings and the make up of that society. Part of the way that society breaks people into groups is by exploitation. When one group of peoples feels that they are superior to another and enough of them believe it they can make things happen. Exploitation and oppression are very powerful tools when it comes to breaking down people’s spirit. In the reading Race Formation it goes through the development of racial classifications have come about through out the years. It first started with scientific classifications then it moved to political classifications. Classifications based solely on a facial feature or gene is incorrect because of the diversity within the population of people as a whole.