I really enjoyed this class. As I previously mentioned in one of my emails, this class makes me want to further explore women’s studies. Normally, I am not a fan of discussion based classes but this one seemed comfortable, because everyone in the class was just as uncomfortable with the subject matter. It is unfortunate that subjects like drugs, sex, abuse, and other society taboos are kept so quiet. If there was more discussion or communication maybe solving these problems would be simplified.
One of the most interesting portions of this class to me is the depiction of women in all forms of media. Through the media society shows us the roles and ways that women are supposed to have and how they are supposed to behave. Billboards on the highway show gigantic images of scantily clad models. If that isn’t a bold statement telling us how we should look then I don’t know how it could get any more obvious.
Other advertisements, especially for cleaning products show women as promoting a certain product. Why isn’t there a man running through a house chasing after a child who is making stains everywhere possible. As I have learned it is because that is a woman’s role.
Another interesting part of this class was learning about the subgroups of women that come with our multifaceted identities. White women are supposed to be thin with blonde hair and blue eyes. Black women are supposed to be the voluptuous vixens (mammies) who were to outspoken so their husbands left them. Hispanic women are supposed to be the stereotypical “Marias.” Oddly enough, by looking into the mirror each morning we see that these sterotypes are not accurate. We go on to acknowledge these discrepancies but still allow them to be perpetuated. If we know that the mammy stereotype that portrays black women as heavy, ugly, and happy to do housework as incorrect, then why do we still purchase syrup in mammy shaped bottles, called “Mrs. Butterworth.”
The message that I got from this class was to not just sit back and let society tell me how things are. I look at things with a critical eye and questions the motives of everything. This is not to say that I am out bashing men on the heads for cat calling, but I am saying it has made me more aware. One thing I will take with me is to not be so judgemental. It is so easy to look at somebody and say "wow, they are fat!" or wow, that is a big baby. But after reading about some of these people, meeting some of them, and watching videos of people who lost their battles, made me realize that I never know what kind of demons these people are facing. The saying "never judge a person until you walk a mile in their shoes" is enitrely true. It is that thought that will make me live my life differently and hopefully a better person.
One of the most interesting portions of this class to me is the depiction of women in all forms of media. Through the media society shows us the roles and ways that women are supposed to have and how they are supposed to behave. Billboards on the highway show gigantic images of scantily clad models. If that isn’t a bold statement telling us how we should look then I don’t know how it could get any more obvious.
Other advertisements, especially for cleaning products show women as promoting a certain product. Why isn’t there a man running through a house chasing after a child who is making stains everywhere possible. As I have learned it is because that is a woman’s role.
Another interesting part of this class was learning about the subgroups of women that come with our multifaceted identities. White women are supposed to be thin with blonde hair and blue eyes. Black women are supposed to be the voluptuous vixens (mammies) who were to outspoken so their husbands left them. Hispanic women are supposed to be the stereotypical “Marias.” Oddly enough, by looking into the mirror each morning we see that these sterotypes are not accurate. We go on to acknowledge these discrepancies but still allow them to be perpetuated. If we know that the mammy stereotype that portrays black women as heavy, ugly, and happy to do housework as incorrect, then why do we still purchase syrup in mammy shaped bottles, called “Mrs. Butterworth.”
The message that I got from this class was to not just sit back and let society tell me how things are. I look at things with a critical eye and questions the motives of everything. This is not to say that I am out bashing men on the heads for cat calling, but I am saying it has made me more aware. One thing I will take with me is to not be so judgemental. It is so easy to look at somebody and say "wow, they are fat!" or wow, that is a big baby. But after reading about some of these people, meeting some of them, and watching videos of people who lost their battles, made me realize that I never know what kind of demons these people are facing. The saying "never judge a person until you walk a mile in their shoes" is enitrely true. It is that thought that will make me live my life differently and hopefully a better person.
No comments:
Post a Comment