Learning Module 10

Learning Module 10 LIVE LEARNING MODULE due 4/18 by NOON

Pick one of the following events to attend during the Ladyfest activities and submit a 3 paragraph blog entry with your reflection, grounded in course content.

FRIDAY 4/15 1:00 pm – Screening of PBS’s In The Life episode featuring KIN4LIFE, followed by Q&A with Nor & IQ of KIN4LIFE – ten Hoor 125

SATURDAY 4/16 10:00AM – Old School Consciousness Raising Session lead by Melanie DeMaeyer (one of the author's we read this semester) – Chloe’s Cup - 2117 University Blvd
SUNDAY 4/17 Noon-6pm – Attend one of the workshops at Alabama Art Kitchen – 2626 University Blvd

Noon – Ladyfest Zine Workshop – Learn about the history and importance of zines and help make a zine for Ladyfest Deep South 2011.
3:30PM – Vagina Monologue Workshop – If you’ve ever heard of the Vagina Monologues, then this is the arts and crafts version of that. Come create your own!
4:30PM – Herbs Health for Women – This class is a very broad, general, and beginner friendly exploration of plant-based medicines for women. Local, Abby Hall Luca, will cover several herbs and herbal formulas/ preparations for young through post-menopausal women. No knowledge of herbs required!

For more info please visit the following social networking sites for Ladyfest Deep South 2011.

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Learning Module 9

LEARNING MODULE NINE
Due Sat. 4/9 by noon

What would you do to end sexual violence at the University of Alabama? 
Using your articles for this week, write 1-2 paragraphs demonstrating your understanding of the social systems and social conditions that support male sexual violence against women and other men on college campuses.  Then in 1-2 paragraphs, build upon the “Feminist Frat Boys” article and reflect upon some possible forms of action/activism that you and your peers (as well as the larger University system) can take to end sexual violence on the UA campus.

Learning Module 8

Learning Module Eight
DUE SATURDAY 4/2  BY NOON
Look up some of the videos discussed in this week’s readings.  In two paragraphs, discuss what it means to "flip the scripts" of hetero-masculine sexual dominance? How does this also relate to re-appropriation and counter-appropriation?  Who has the power to set the patterns for dominant forms of representation in the music industry and Why? (use “intersectionality” in your analysis)
Next find a couple of videos that demonstrate what you would consider to be empowering to the women (and men) involved in them (as well as those viewing them), especially in relation to what you observed and learned from the film Dreamworlds 3).  Provide the name of the videos and in 2 paragraphs explain how female artists are using their messages, language, bodies, etc. toward greater gender empowerment?

Extra Credit Blog

Due Sat 3/26 by noon

In 2-3 paragraphs, please reflect upon the following article and place it in conversation with this week’s readings on globalization and women’s labor.  What is the importance of labor unions here and abroad?  Why are they particularly important for women laborers?  How do union concerns here in the United States relate to union concerns in the “developing world”? (hint: consider free trade agreements).  Can you imagine unions being a point of transnational solidarity for workers?  Why?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brigid-o/from-the-triangle-fire-to_b_839023.html  

Group 4 Brainstorming

Group 3 Brainstorming

Group 2 Brainstorming

Group 1 Brainstorming

Grant Hill to Jalen Rose "Who you calling an Uncle Tom?"

Some may not know the background or story behind Jalen Rose and his comments about the Duke basketball team but I thought the article was very interesting to hear the discussion betwee two African American men about the past, present and the future of their race. Grant Hill makes some very good points.

Check it out:
http://www.thegrio.com/sports/grant-hill-who-you-calling-uncle-tom.php

Look At This!

http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-prosecution-of-pregnant-women-as-drug-labs-in-alabama#?opt_new=t&opt_fb=f

What is happening in Alabama today!

If I woke up and the world had completely reverses and being gay was now considered normal I would honestly think I was having some crazy dream I wouldn’t believe it. It would take a lot to convince me but once I was convinced I wouldn’t switch to being gay. For one thing I love women too much just to give it up because everybody else does. Heterosexuality it just like homosexuality in the fact that we have no control over who we’re attracted to. Women attract me like crazy and I have absolutely no attraction to men and that wouldn’t change just because everyone else is. I mean its just like being black in segregated times I wouldn’t be able to change my skin color in public and you should be proud of who you are regardless so I wouldn’t even like pretend I was gay to be accepted. I wouldn’t even want to be accepted like that besides since it would be fake they would catch me pretending and I would still be outcast.

I would think this some crazy stuff going on, how the world just gone change overnight like this. My life would change a great deal I would go from being a sexy, normal, accepted guy to a sexy, weird, unaccepted guy. I’m pretty sure my relationship with my family would be strained if I all of sudden became the only heterosexual but they my family so I know they would accept my decision and support me even if they didn’t agree, that’s what family does. As far as letting other people know I’m straight if people came up and asked me if I was straight I would tell them yes but I wouldn’t just walk around with a sign on my chest saying “I’m straight Hate Me”. I would have the same mentality that I do now as long as you leave me alone I have no reason to mess with you so just leave me alone.

Learning Module 7

LEARNING MODULE SEVEN
(Due Saturday by Noon)

Read the Heterosexual Questionnaire and take the time to answer the questions for yourself.  Now read the following prompt and critically reflect upon the following questions.
This morning when you awoke from a night’s sleep, you became aware that society was no longer as you remembered it. In fact, it had universally made a 180-degree turn in sexual orientation and the world you remember as being a comfortable environment for heterosexuals like yourself no longer accepts people like you. You don’t want to return to isolation, so you must deal with the situation, and do it right now. But now you don’t fit in. Homo-erotic love is the required standard. Heterosexuals are moral outcasts. They are widely thought to molest children, and the marriage of your partner that you have looked forward to for several years will not be legally recognized. Procreation takes place in test tubes and hired wombs according to accepted procedures, and couples like you and your partner are considered hazardous to population growth. You turn on the TV news, only to see a demonstration on the courthouse steps by anti-heterosexual activists shouting ‘heterosexuality is sin’ and ‘ban the straights.’ A sense of doom envelops you as the truth sinks in. You have a cup of coffee and sit down to think about how you will deal with the situation.” What do you think? How will your life change? What will happen to your relationship with your family and friends, now all gay? Will you allow others to know that you are straight and risk the consequences? What might they be? How do you decide to deal with the situation? Why?

In 2-3 paragraphs, write some key insights drawn from BOTH of these exercises, and how it felt to answer the questions.  Use course readings to discuss ways to navigate through this oppressive situation and how you see the world changing if homophobia was abolished.

In the news...

Because this pertains to what we are studying this week, I wanted to share this with you all...

The Westboro Baptist Church has been in and out of the news for a while now due to its radical views against homosexuality. They put on protests with signs that say things like, "Thank God for 9/11" and "Fags are beasts" and take pride in picketing funerals of fallen American soldier. Personally, I find these statements hurtful, harmful, and erroneous.

Watch the video and read the article about the First Amendment rights that were recently brought to the Supreme Court.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Supreme_Court/supreme-court-westboro-protests-military-funerals/story?id=13037219

Crunk Feminist Collective Article

Read this!!http://crunkfeministcollective.wordpress.com/2011/02/23/whats-love-got-to-do-with-it-attacks-on-reproductive-justice/

Learning Module 6

LEARNING MODULE SIX
Due Saturday (2/26) by noon
After reading the essay, “And So I Choose,” by Allison Crews place her discussion of “rights” in conversation with the article you read for class this week, “Beyond Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life?”  First (2 paragraphs), in your own words, please describe why each of these terms are in fact problematic or limiting to our larger discussion of reproductive rights.  Why were each limiting in Crew’s reflection?  What does a “reproductive justice” paradigm offer instead?  Second (1-2 paragraphs) reflect on the recent arguments surrounding legislation addressed to congress (see links below).  What do you think is at stake in politicizing women’s bodies and reproduction?  What would a reproductive justice argument look like in response to this legislation.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/18/planned-parenthood-fundin_n_825258.html?ref=fb&src=sp
http://reproductiverights.org/sites/crr.civicactions.net/files/documents/Center%20for%20Reproductive%20Rights%20Testimony%202%2014%2011.pdf

Learning Module 5 REDO

LEARNING MODULE FIVE (REDO)
Due Wednesday 3/2 no later than Noon

Imagine you are participating in a conversation with the Combahee River Collective and, in a consciousness-raising group, you read the following article.  Using the Combahee River Collective Statement and what you have learned in the past weeks, discuss a black feminist perspective to this issue (In 2-3 paragraphs).   How would the Collective approach the issue, especially with regard to privilege, interlocking oppressions, “the personal is political”, and a critique of the limitations of dominant feminist and anti-racist approaches to hierarchies of inequality.  What new perspectives might they offer?  Be creative…imagine you are sitting at the table with them!
http://www.theroot.com/views/recy-taylor-symbol-jim-crow-s-forgotten-horror

Learning Module 5

LEARNING MODULE FIVE
(due Saturday by noon)

Imagine bell hooks joins the Combahee River Collective and in a consciousness-raising group reads her article “Straightening Our Hair”, and shows the film clip “A Girl Like Me”.  Based upon your readings for this week, discuss a black feminist perspective to this topic.  How would the Collective approach the issue, especially with regard to privilege, interlocking oppressions, “the personal is political”, and a critique of the limitations of dominant feminist and anti-racist approaches to hierarchies of inequality.  What new perspectives might they offer?  Be creative…imagine you are sitting at the table with them!

http://www.understandingrace.org/lived/video/index.html

online module 4

A Partial List of Heterosexual Privileges

The most unfair advantage of being heterosexual is being about to love who I want and furthermore being able to “legally marry the person I love.” I think if you are able to love you should have the opportunity to get married and spend your life with that person. Number three is another one I never really thought about “I can hold hands, touch, and dance with the other person I love in public without fear of others’ reactions.” Living in the south my whole life I believe that most people are judgmental towards gays and would be offended if they saw two guys or two girls kissing. However, I wish that would change and the world would be open to every ones choice to love whoever they want. Finally number twenty “I can live life fully and openly with my family and friends.” Being a dancer I have several friends that are gay and to me this is the hardest part watching them live a lie to their family and others who are not accepting. I am able to bring my boyfriend around my friends and family with no hesitation, and I wish the same for my friends who are gay.

A List of My Privileges

1. I can cry my way out of getting a speeding ticket. (If the cop is white, and not a complete jerk I can cry until he feels bad for me)

2. I can walk into a classroom in Tuscaloosa knowing my race will be the dominant one. (There are more whites than blacks in Tuscaloosa)

3. I can love my boyfriend and not fear disapproval from my peers. (I am straight so they will accept him)

4. I can go on vacations during the year. (This would be because of my class, but being able to enjoy life and take vacations).

5. I can stand on the side of the road without being called inappropriate names according to my color. (We all know about the racial slurs happening in Tuscaloosa, and this needs to stop).

Examples and Privileges

The first of my three examples is from the Black male checklist and it’s “When I read African American History textbooks, I will learn mainly about black men.” I can see where this notion comes from. I remember in middle school we had assigned reading, and most of the books we read had to do with white male main characters. I can see this being the same with someone who reads African American literature. An example from the Heterosexual checklist that appealed to me was “ I can legally marry the person I love.” I do have that privilege and sometimes it’s easy to forget the struggle that so many other people have to go through because a state refuses their approval. Makes me feel grateful for the already circumstances, but motivates me more to be involved in the GLTB community, so that is finally something we can both equally celebrate. An example from the Male Privilege that caught my eye was “If I seek political office, my relationship with my children, or who I hire to take care of them, will probably

Not be scrutinized by the press.” This is very interesting to me, because it makes me think of Sarah Palin and all of the bad press she got about her personal life and family. Makes me wonder if it were a male in that position if it would even matter as much. This is just making me think of all the growing pains of equality that are still present in politics.

1.I will be more successful in acting because it’s easier for woman to pull emotion

2. I am not offered certain scholarships because I am white.

3.I am classified as ethic because of my dark features

4.If I wear a thong to the pool I am slut.

5.I will not walk by myself in a parking garage because I am woman.

The first privilege I listed has to do with acting in film, and theatre, and speech. It seems like woman are constantly more successful in the roles they play because of the abilities to channel “real” emotion to the audience. Time and time again in speech woman are winning first place in the acting events, because of how well they can portray emotion, tears, and headache. Very rarely is it when a male wins because of his ability to do all of those over a woman. When it does happen, people are wowed. The second one I wanted to talk about made me think about when I was a senior applying to schools. It was imperative for me to get whatever scholarships I could. My teachers gave websites and guides to where you can find them. I remember getting stressed out because the numerous amounts of scholarships that only pertained to an African American descent. There were so many cool one ‘s I wish I could do, but I couldn’t because I am white. Not to say there wasn’t any for white females, but the ones that seemed the most interesting and enjoyable were restricted from me.

My third checklist is something that has really stuck out to me since I transferred this fall from South Florida. I can’t even tell you how many times since I’ve been here that I have been out at a bar and some man has come up to me and asked me what ethnicity I am, because I have super dark hair and dark eyes. I understand those features are not dominant here, but I get comments like “ What island are you from, what country are your parents from, are you Spanish, Latino ect ect.” I find none of that offensive but I never got asked that so much until I moved here. The fourth ties into the third. It is very normal to see thong bathing suits on woman at the beach or at pools in South Florida. I believe it’s because there are so many people down there from different cultures and countries where nudity is more exceptional. Here it’s quite different, considering the reactions I got from people over summer when I wore just a bikini (not thong) cut bathing suit. Won’t be doing that again till I go home. The last one I think is one that all women are privileged too. Parking garages can be very scary, and there are so many instances where woman have been abducted. I can relate to a place I used to work at. It was a policy for no woman to walk to their car without escort from one of the male employees. Now I can recall times being frustrated because of having to get out of there for whatever reason. But in the end it’s something I’m thankful for.