Quick Blog # 6

My social sphere is comprised of my parents, siblings, friends, relatives and people at work place, means variety of people. People around me are of diverse ages but I encounter with people of ages around 18 to 45 mostly. Reason could be my grandma and grandpa is no more a part of this world so I do not encounter that age group more often. I wish I could interact with people of that age group more because their way to see the world is broader than the youngsters of my age.

Young adults and middle ages adults are at an advantage because of the privilege that society has managed for this age group only. They are seen as having more up to date knowledge of technology. Society plays a big role in segregating different age group but can’t be blamed alone. Other way to see it is media segregates communities into smaller parts and then target a product to a specific age group which gives an image that they belong to a certain group only. Kids have their own interests like video games, sports, and parents have their own, grand parents have their own as well. Kids are more active and ready for any sort of adventure so they relate themselves with their age group more than the group of their elders. As I said society has a big role also played a big role in making it so obvious that which age group has to be with what age group. This idea was somewhat humorous to me that if a boy listens to his mom he is labeled as mamma’s boy and that he is not grown up or mature enough to deal with his own life. So we have pretty much every definition around us which tells us what is preferred in certain age group. Everybody wants to look cool and acceptable in society. Nobody has time to think and to feel what other are going through. I feel nobody can be even blamed for it. Life is fast and hard to manage and economic and financial pressures make it this way.

Well I think to make it better we should give more quality time to people around, elders, youngsters and kids. Try to understand the age difference and requirements of their age. This can happen only if we start to listen not to just nod but active listening. Communication between diverse age group people would be helpful in decreasing segregation and once segregation is decreased there will be more respect.

What can I do

As a society we need to work together to bring a change. I just realized how much American society is changed in last 35 years and it was by the movements which didn’t start as big movements but got bigger as awareness rose up. I also think that the dominant group also need take responsibility of using their privileged power against the oppressed. I believe if they are aware of the fact how this is affecting the lives of people around and that it really hurt the feelings and destroy the lives then things will get better. I like the way Johnson says the greatest barrier to change is that dominant groups don’t see the trouble as their trouble, it means they don’t feel obliged to do something about it. This happens for a variety of reasons and one is that they don’t know if it exist at the first place, because they don’t have to see it as a trouble, because they see it personal rather than a systematic problem, because they’re reluctant to give up privilege, because they feel angry and deprived and closed to the idea that they have privilege, because they are blinded by the prejudice, because they are afraid what will happen if they acknowledge the reality of privilege and oppression.

I feel like participating in non violent protest and spreading awareness about these issues of civil equality rights about discrimination and oppression. I think that I am privileged to be able to take this class and be able to know all kind of bitter realities of the society in which we are living. I have to accept I have never heard about the issue of transgender issues and how badly they feel about it. I think most subjects we talked in our course have changed my mind. It has also helped in getting a deeper look of American culture. I didn’t know about the ground roots of many issues. I will help in spreading the awareness about these discriminatory issues so that I know I have contributed to a little extent in making the world a better place.

I also like this quote “This is not the way things are suppose to be and this will not always be like this.” We know things are not suppose to be like this and to change them it needs awareness and knowledge. Awareness of the gravity of these issues how certain issues which seems to have no importance in our lives is destroying the lives of our fellow human beings.

Question N

A good activist believes in what he is doing and that it is for good. As action speaks louder than words they take action. Actions which will lead the society towards a positive change and leave a positive impact on the lives of the people affected. Their strong belief in their cause makes them consistent and strong to lead the way with full spirit.

A person can become an activist in any part of life like the women Naomi Klein who became a Feminist when a guy killed 14 women in Montreal massacre. An activist must have some clear goals, cause of their fight and the ability to communicate clearly about their objectives and a vision that how this issue is going to bring positive change in the society. They should be consistent and must keep going with courage and motivation, no matter what hurdle comes in their way. They have the dare to speak out loud, raise concerns, and make their voices heard on issues of equality, oppression and civil rights. Another quality which makes an activist a good communicator is the listening part. A good activist listens to the people around, make allies and find support for the cause they believe in.

As an activist I like bell hooks the most one reason I liked how she talks about equality on the issues of gender, race and class and she has a persistent strong voice. Another reason she stand out is that she herself has faced situation like race discrimination and she speaks out with compassion and positive outlook without degrading any part of society and by giving a positive outlook. Basically she tries to hold up the big picture and the root causes why privileged people don’t stand out for the cause and why oppressed people are not heard in the society.

Ageism

It is really sad to see that elderly people have to live their last years of life in isolation and poverty. It is not the way it happens in many societies. It is also heartbreaking to see that people are thinking about elderly people in economic terms. They are thinking more about health care cost but not the way they feel. No nursing home or elderly homes can give the love and respect the way own family can. They must not be thought as a burden. They are the ones who gave a life to us and gave us all we wanted and now if they need our love, affection and care they must not be thought as burden. I think this is happening because elderly people accept this form of life and younger generation feels they their elders will get better care in nursing home as there they could get all the care and facilities which would not be possible for them at home. I just feel this is how the society is formed.

People In old age do not get the job because of being over qualified. That is too much. The stigmas attached to aged people that they could be slow, incompetent, and less active than an enthusiastic young person who have not experienced practical life, does not really make sense. Experience counts and can help in practical terms. Most people In their old ages are healthy and active and does not even look old so what’s the deal they should get a job. This kind of discrimination is just too bad. They are forced to live a life of poverty and isolation by giving them a sorry figure from job Then they are left with no other choice other than just to sit and wait for their death.

Ageism just like some other isms is so seldom talked about because we don’t see it and who is going to raise this issue. Privileged people don’t seem to notice and old people are disappointed with the way their life is treating them. I was raised in eastern culture where elders are highly respected and stay with their family for their lifetime. They don’t have a life span of 90 to 100 years though. I don’t see myself an ageist as I see elderly people as blessing and one kind look of them matters more than the care they might need.

Gimp

It was really interesting to watch the video Gimp, the way they dance, the way they move the potential they had. It is just some extraordinary talent which is inspiring and yet an eye opener that says it is not we who are disabled but you who cannot see our amazing talent.

Girl with no legs and one with missing arm were dancing and were doing it so gracefully. I just feel dance is another way of expression. This way they were telling that we are proud of what we are, do not look down on us we can do anything which is possible in this human world.

This video gives us a comparative look of the people around us we see as disabled and these fully talented and wonderfully able people. They are beautiful, and amazingly talented. Instead of focusing what they don’t have, they focus on what they have got and do what they want. The word disable, crippled or gimp must not be used for these talented people wonderful expression and beautiful extensions of dance.

The discriminatory reaction people have towards the disabled people is saddening because they just don’t want us to feel sorry for them. People think they cannot do anything on their own and need support and help for every little thing in life. Think that they will be a burden for the person who lives with them. All they want is respect, honor and acceptance of them and their talent in society. Socially constructed society is just unable to cater the needs of people who differ a little from the norm.

A person who inspired me and totally changed the way I think:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciYk-UwqFKA

Quick Blog # 5

Pornography, explicit sexual images contribute to a great deal in the way men see women sexually or as sex object. Also easy availability of pornography is definitely a big reason for the rising problems of sexism and misogyny. Dominated men and submissive women are the images which are vastly portrayed in the socially constructed society around us and these images further rise another image that women are the objects and can be used. I don’t feel pornography itself is bad but showing it in negative, abusive terms isn’t the way it should be like.

Abusive sexual images in pornography increases the violence and portrays that abusive relationship exist and male are the one to dominate and women as passive and dependent upon man. The way pornography is shown creates very strong image that this is the real way of having sex in which a man dominate a woman and not only man but women is enjoying and having pleasure also she is satisfied with this kind of physical interaction. A strong visual image of abusive nature and the man, who enjoys them, fantasizes this image and then try to make these fantasies a reality. Which ultimately destroys a healthy relationship of a normal life.

process piece

Process Piece

I liked doing this project as I personally felt that this topic is related to me. I was a little worried because my experience with PowerPoint or with any media is nonexistent. I knew little bit of PowerPoint so I decided to do it that way. Topic of racism against a particular religious belief just caught me somehow and it was really amazing to see how people react. It was like trying to learn a little about human nature. Tragedy of 9/11, suddenly fears arose against an unknown foreign religion, foreigners and the stereotypes which were built around it and are still there. How negative images just make so much sense in a chaotic situation and how people can be so judgmental. I got disturbed by some images which I got about racism against Muslims in India and in Australia but my point of focus was American Muslims only also that would have made it longer. I loved doing this project and my basic point was to make Muslims voices heard who are living here for a long time. What they have to say and how they feel about being in United States post 9/11tragedy. I just got some tremendous amount of information overload and it was hard to choose from them. I was confused whether I should add the statement of a person who converted to Islam but after reading whole interview of Michael Wolfe I felt he has something interesting to share which even I didn’t know before. I just added his opening statement but his whole interview shares a full interesting story.

I enjoyed myself doing this project and while doing this I got to learn about so many things which otherwise I wouldn’t have. Communication is a tool which can help solve many issues and can help in breaking the stereotype image which started after 9/11 and actually got stronger with the anger of loosing lives of young brave soldiers and two wars at the expense of tax payer’s money. On the other side anger also roused up in the Muslim world with the sense of helplessness and being victimized of what was never their fault. Media plays a very crucial role in aggravating this anger. I never saw them showing the image of a daily life Muslims and those who donated money, blood and expressed their sorrow and grief on this tragedy instead they kept showing the stereotype image of a Muslim, image that they live in deserts, ride camels, and are against women equality right. These are just so not true.

Personally it is just an annoying feeling that how a bunch of narrow minded extremist has destroyed the image of peaceful Muslims all around the world. Aftermath of this extremism is just horrible.

Resources

Cateura, Linda. Voices of American Muslims. New York 2005

Rastogi, Mudita and Elizabeth Wieling ed. Voices of Color . California 2005

The Pew research center for the people and the press. Religion and Politics. August 19, 2010 Pew Charitable Trust < http://people-press.org/report/?pageid=1780>

http://www.gallup.com/home.aspx

http://www.religioustolerance.org/reac_ter1.htm

http://www.cair.com/Home.aspx

http://www.cair.com/PressCenter/AmericanMuslimNews.aspx

http://www.alameenpost.com/articles.aspx?categoryname=Women&newsid=2347

http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=676&&ArticleID=26582&&name=n&&currPage=2

Beautiful daughters

I have never thought about transgender men or women before watching these videos. It is interesting to know there are people who get birth like normal and feel they belong to different sex. Parents who want a boy or a girl think that they have a right to change their kid’s sex. People like this are around and they just feel different about themselves. This idea was just some crazy thought for me before, now that I had seen I realized that how strongly they feel towards their identity. They run out from homes to live a kind of life they want to live. It is good to see they didn’t end up with all the depression and with drugs like kids in video “Queer Streets”. The woman was proud that she has proved herself and got her way through. It is terrible to see that how society reacts on such choices which has nothing to do with them. A person should have a total right to look the way they want and to choose what they want to be like even if it doesn’t fall in the so called norms of society as long as it is not hurting someone else. The boy who got killed while sleeping when his roommate got to know that his girlfriend is a boy was a horrible thing means how she would be feeling after that. I just don’t get why people don’t respect the choices which are a little out of the norms. Who sets the norm?

Princess boy was a positive step by parents who instead of telling their boy that it is wrong to feel that way they tried to tell the society that that this is what he wants and we are happy with his choice. I just don’t know I can’t expect people around me to stop loving me for what I am and for what I choose to be in my life. Transgender people are longing for mere acceptance in this stereotype society. This is not a big thing they are asking for. Seeing them so much disturbed really made me feel so bad. Stereotypes need to be open and must realize this is what they want in life. Transgender people are totally human and should be treated with respect, dignity and be loved like a human. Believing that I was a woman long before I came to this world, this definitely is a very strong statement. It shows how much they want to be what they believe in and instead of giving them support all they get is rejection of their loved ones. I still have some confusion that after surgery they can get all sort of feeling which a female naturally have. It just seems that how is it possible? Irrespective of what I think people should be respected about their choices in life. First of all it needs lot of courage and strong sense of desire to make such a big decision. Decision to go through painful surgery and change yourself. After watching this I just feel how strong feeling that could be which make them change their gender. It just need awareness and acceptence to be a part of the norm. Cisgender people must respect the choices of their everyday friend. Basic needs and desires are the same just a different choice in life. No cisgender has got a right to question them or make them feel out of society. I just feel it needs more awareness so that people can accept it as any other norm of society.

Question J

I watched both video Freeheld and Queer streets and felt really sad how hard it is to fight for human rights for homosexual couples. Freeheld was on very basic right of transferring pension to domestic partner and hurdle was there only because her partner was not a man and that they were not married. Most people whether straight or gay don’t like to end up in a marriage contract because they are a happy family and don’t feel a need to do so. Stacie and Laurel were enjoying a healthy relationship yet they are not considered a partner to whom they can pass on the rights.

The people who decide to come on streets in the “Queer streets” video because they don’t get acceptance from home or society. They decide to come on streets rather than changing themselves which is a protest against those who are trying to change them and their likes and dislikes. It is sad to see that they end up taking drugs, destroying their lives because of no support from any place. The only thing they want is pride and acceptance in society. They should get equal rights as other heterosexual couples. It is sad to see people like Laurel Hester who are actively serving in this society but are still not getting what they should and they had to fight for their basic human rights.

Quick Blog # 4

I don’t feel there was anything wrong with this song. She is too young to be seen as a role model though. Well I think she is talented and creative enough to stand and do justice with this song. It was first time I was hearing this song so maybe I am not getting it right. I don’t see any sexist language used maybe just the word whip it hard may sound like one but not really. Racist well I don’t think it was racist or have used any racist language anyhere. She was enjoying the song, and whipping her hair back and forth. I didn’t like that she was trying to behave like a grown up mature girl other than that I was a good song. With the amount of views it got on You Tube I can say it is a popular song. I liked her pretty smile at the end.

Dressing a 2 year old in Madonna's cone dress to perform in a pageant, well this is sexualization by a mom, poor little girl.

Killing it Softly

Affect of images in our lives

Advertising, images and environment around us give us a constant message whom to identify ourselves with, what we should be like, what is an acceptable image in society around. Media constantly tries to inspire people to sell the products which will make them what is shown in unreal images. It gives us message through what a woman and man should be like. Women should be sexy, beautiful, good looking and real man tough, brave, strong, and powerful.

It makes women realize from a very young age how important it is to be beautiful. What it means to be beautiful. All these images of women tell what beauty is and leaves a long lasting impression on a girl kid who then tries to be like that cool, hot and sexy image. Stressing out to be like one, increases eating disorders or females even starve themselves to have a desired body which invites lot more diseases and even death. In order to get a desired body or to look cool is done either by plastic surgery or in any other way like tattoo or piercing to get the most wanted body. Result of all that is spending lavishly and always in a constant stress of being not looking good enough. A sexual image of women used for selling product is also exploiting the perception of a woman. It sends constantly conflicting messages to woman and men out there in society about what need and wants are. Turning images of woman or make product which looks like woman body makes women just an object, an object which can be used. It is a big reason for increased sensation of domination over women and violence in society.

Images of women of color as an animal let one think that somewhere they are different from others. Their thoughts, needs and demand are not the same as a white woman. It is a racist image and it promotes an idea of something less than a human. Its true images in our lives affect us and images portrayed in mass media as perfect do not portray an image of real world which is a brutal truth and needs attention.

Quick Blog # 3

Quick Blog # 3

1. I was privileged as a child because I could go to a great school. I grew up among the people of my own kind and was not tagged as brown or of color. Also what I realized now as a privilege I could enjoy special holidays without considering it as a privilege. After coming to US I felt at an advantage to be able to get admission in WSBE at UNH.

2. In US I am a minority and a person of color. I never thought to apply at colleges with high tuition fee because I couldn’t afford them. Now i cannot enjoy special holidays and remember how bad i felt giving an exam on a festive day.

3. Well in some cases when kids of rich people are preferred and kids of poor ones are just sitting in a corner. There is a culture of having maids in houses in most eastern countries. People often misbehave with them or yells at them for poor work. I remember my cousin misbehaving with them but I never said him anything because he was older to me. I knew he was not going to change or will start bullying me instead for being so considerate. Some elders in family also tried but he was a spoilt brat.

Question H

Well this documentary was disturbing to me. How many people were killed, stabbed and ridiculed just because they wear a turban and has resemblance to Bin Ladin. I know after 9/11 so many people fled back to their countries from US because they feared that all this would happen to them as well. Few brave hearted people like Sodhi’s family stood there to tell that we are peaceful people and want to live in peace and harmony. Valerie mentioned that we relate ourselves as an American since our fathers and grand fathers lived here for a long time. We have worked for America all our lives and we are also Americans.

I am not a Sikh but I can relate myself to them more as a Punjabi and a human. I speak the language they were using in this documentary. I was surprised by the hated comments like “why don’t you go back where you came from” or “you are going to get what you have given us” also “the way to live a safe life in America is to get baptized and become a Christian”. Ten years now but 9/11 has changed not only life in America but the whole world. Talking about Sikhism I know it even though I am not a sikh, I knew Christianity even though I am not a follower of it. I believe every religion teach about peace and humanity. In my opinion one of the many reason of all these hate crime were ignorance and not knowing that there are some other faiths too outside America other than Judaism and Christianity. Islam right now is attacked the most and I feel that what some ignorant 19 people did on 9/11 the young kid was not the one to be blamed and ridiculed for it. The innocent question the girl asked why we are Muslims. She asked it because she herself does not relate to the identity of a Muslim what so ever is the world telling her. I myself don’t relate to the identity the world is trying to make about a Muslim. It seems like world has entered entirely in a different era after this dreadful day of 9/11 where many precious lives were lost.

Class-ism in American Society

I would have given the same answer as these people in the streets of America did. The guy in loose fitting shirt and short pants belongs to lower class or blue collar society and the people dressed in nice and smart dressing belongs to upper middle class or upper class. It is so obvious that we pass judgment only by looking at the dress someone wears, the way they carry it and who knows the etiquettes how far or near to stand while talking. Funny thing is when they say basically it is against the American principles to belong themselves to any class, which makes it hard to talk for them about these issues. Really if one does not accept that they belong to a certain class then there is no point in saying that class system exist and there is a need to talk about it. Isn’t it true? Well it not true. People like to belong themselves; I feel it is a part of human nature.

I belong to a middle class family and I became aware of the class system when I started to feel that people around me are treated differently. As a kid when other kids can brag about their video games, as a youngster when one kid start talking about the new I phone or laptop, expensive cars or gadgets. It has affected my life to some extent but not much. i enjoy those things more which I have and that is a blessing. I was always taught by my parents o tbe thankful to God for what He has given us, look at the people who are below you in the worldly matters which I feel is opposite to what society teaches us by putting all those glittery things around. They create a desire that the life is so meaningless if you don't own our product.

Since people don’t like to talk about the issues of class doesn’t end the issue but make it a bigger challenge to deal with. So to encourage discussion on this topic first thing is to realize that people lives are suffering badly. Privileged people like the guy who graduated from Yale were not ready to accept the reality because he was never visible to the actual facts. Accept classism existence openly will open the doors to take this issue in serious consideration and will encourage the people to talk about it openly. This could be a one step further in solving the problem. May be classism cannot be eradicated totally from the society but at least the issues of working class will become more obvious.

Blue eyes/ Brown eyes experiment

Jane Elliot’s experiment no doubt is an excellent example to show how discrimination can create difference in people behavior. I like this whole experiment because of the unexpected result it produced. This clearly shows how rude behavior can result in dividing the society in categories, how not only kids but elders were also affected with the mere difference of behavior. Blue eyed elder people when discriminated got defensive too. This experiment though created a proving result but in my opinion doing this sort of testing with third graders can demoralize them and could leave some long lasting images in their heads. I don’t admire that part of Jane's efforts.

I am a part of unprivileged group in America being an Asian (Indian) here. I haven’t seen experienced or felt any discrimination against myself only because i am of different color. I guess I am lucky because it is now widely accepted in society that people should not be judged with the color of their skin. I am not treated like I am any different here or maybe I have not experienced any such encounter yet. I came here last year so I can’t say much about it. I found that people here are friendly and helpful whether white or black, male or female. Other reason could be I just don’t see discrimination because I don’t know how the privilege system works here in US or how to feel that way because I grew up among all people who were my kind and never knew the system of being discriminated. Well in one way I can say that my parents would do anything to keep us in the house so that we don’t go out and play with the street kids, like bringing video games and all the toys and stuff to keep us busy and out of their company. Now I feel this behavior is discriminating too but again they did it for our good. I consider treating street kids as poor beings is discrimination too. In my opinion discrimination of rich and poor is more prevalent than the discrimination between white and people of color in today’s world.

Quick Blog # 2

Racism: Understanding Race

A short video which takes us in the early history. Describes how the racism started and how it is seen today in the world of science and technology. It demonstrates the fact that racism exist in world but people around the globe are very much alike. They all have natural tendencies to have talent irrespective of their skin color.

http://www.globalissues.org/article/165/racism

Blog post # 5

Getting on the Hook

No one likes to see themselves as connected to someone else’s misery so the best thing to do is to get off the hook. That is a common practice which is followed by the privileged society according to Johnson.

The key tactic to get off the hook is to use denial and minimize the existence of problem. It could be in any way even by acknowledging that the problems do exist and I know it, but it does not count that much. It means as compared to other problems I have, this particular problems is not much big of a problem to be considered. It gives a notion that it is not a problem to be considered for the one privileged but for the people of color it is a big problem to be considered. Privilege people don’t see it as a problem because they do not have to face it in day to day dealings. Also the kind of behavior seen when talking about racism is denying that it exist like saying what are you talking about, the denial that the problem doesn’t exist at all rather they do enjoy advantages which balances the privileged position. Another way to deny the race fact is to say that it is their inner guilt and doesn’t exist in reality.

Blaming the victim itself rather than the system is another way to suppress the issue like “If the Blacks were smarter or worked harder or got an education, they’d be okay”. This idea instead of solving the issue makes it harder to solve. These thinking in common points that the people who are the sufferers (oppressed ones) are the ones at fault and not the one privileged.

The experiment which was conducted in 1990 by ABC news “True Colors”. It showed two men similar in every observable character except race. Being an Asian I can relate myself to it. At a shopping center a lady behind the counter started talking to the white female customer standing in front of me for a considerable long time, asking her about her family and that if she has the store’s card and if not then if she wants one. When I came she just had a spat face which was shocking to some extent. How she was a cheerful women just a moment before. Well she didn’t ask me if I had a store’s card or if I wanted one, which in my opinion she should have done as a part of her job. Here I would also like to say that only a few people respond roughly, but the main thing is that problem do exist and needs to be solved

To solve this issue or to interrupt this cycle there is a great need to be aware of the problem at first. Considering that it was a problem in history will only add to make the matter more terrible. Educating the privilege society about the problem which is their because of the continuous denial and resistance. Making laws against discriminatory behavior. Providing information to people of color what they should do If they feel discriminated? Make laws which helps to discontinue these discriminatory actions any further.

Lady Gaga

I think every woman is a feminist if she advocates the right of equality. From this point of view if she do which I feel she do then she is a feminist. I only know her from the music videos and do not know anything about her personal life views. Her image as I view is that she could be a very famous superstar but not a good role model to be followed by young women and girls. She is talented and creative but I have objection with her revealing dressing style. I think only this reason makes me believe that she is not a good role model. Lyrics of songs could also be a reason also to say that but not strongly about Lady Gaga only because they are about the same for most of the singers out there in industry.

Question D

Stanford Prison Experiment

Stanford Prison Experiment was carried out to see good people in bad and evil place. To see does the situation outside of you, the institution, come to control your behavior or does the things inside you, your attitudes, your morality allows you to rise above a negative environment. Dr. Zimbardo chose prison to create a negative environment.

At first I didn’t quite get how the term racial difference relates to this prison experiment since all the guards and prisoners were white males. I had to look up what racial discrimination really means. What I got was that racial discrimination does not only mean difference among races but also treating people differently through a process of social division into categories which is not necessarily related to races.

In this video the guards are the privileged oppressors and the prisoners are the oppressed beings. Guards enjoy the power to control the prisoners the way they wanted to. So some guards took charge to mistreat the prisoners while others chose not to. It clearly shows that a man with power has a choice to make between good and bad. On the other hand the prisoners were treated badly to see their reaction. Some Prisoners reactions were alarming. This whole experiment to me was quite shocking. It shows how a person could behave if he has the power and the right to use it over others. Also gives some insight of human nature in an oppressed condition. It really made me think of people who are in prison in places like Iraq where they are not only for two weeks but may be for their whole lives and their even physical abuse is not prohibited. Some of them could be innocent beings but the evil place like prison would do no good to them.

Women and Men in a New Millennium

I liked the way he used humor to deliver his idea. How he refused somewhat the idea of Mars and Venus and used earthlings instead for men and women. I agree with Kimmel’s idea here, that men and women are more similar than different. They do have differences and different needs which he mentioned in his four brilliant points and that are the most obvious things we see.

The changes in thoughts from 1970 to 2005 were quite amazing to know. That reveals a lot about change in human nature itself with the passage of time and surroundings. When he says that women lives are changed but men live aren’t then this is not quite true in my opinion. If the life of one partner changes then it also impact the other partner’s life in some way. In case of gender I think a man and a woman both should realize the importance of understanding each other in a relationship. Friendship is a good way to communicate and be the way one wants to be. I like the way he mentioned friendship and marriage. “Politics of friendship is egalitarian, peer relationship. The more egalitarian the marriage, the more likely they will thrive”

One thing I felt, he was talking a lot about women’s right and men’s responsibilities. I never expected that coming from a man’s side. This was quite interesting and somewhat upsetting. Well he should have also talked about what men thinks about this gender issue. What they feel with all these changes in woman lives in these past 35 to 40 years? What they have to say about it? So that they feel importance in this issue of gender and that it is related to them also. Nothing was coming from a man in the favor of a man. Then he is proving that gender is really a woman’s issue and all about woman and men has nothing to do with it. These videos discussed most of the times that men need to change in order to stay healthier and fit. Look at the other side of the picture he never said that women should be thankful and praise their husbands for what they do for them and their families. That they should stop bitching about the one only thing their men haven’t done and that they must not overlook great things they have done for them.

I loved the example he gave about privilege. The communication between a black woman and a white woman. Phrase that I see a black woman in mirror. Race is visible to the black woman because she has to face it and not to white woman because she has never been through any of those situation. That’s how privilege works. Knowing that I am privileged over other is one thing and understanding that what if I wasn't. What that feeling could be like? This is not only true among different races but in every field of life. Well i think it also differs in how people see it.

The F Word Feminism

Feminism has many myths attached with it some of them are ugly women, hate men, angry, lesbians, whiny, unattractive and bra burners. These stigmas with the feminism term makes the people out there not wanted themselves to be associated with it. Young women don’t want to be considered ugly at all and also young females don’t want to be considered as man haters. These myths keep them away from the true picture of what feminism is all about. Media really makes this myth image of feminism more strong by portraying images of feminist as being men haters. It’s true all feminist don’t think alike and some are lesbians but that doesn't counter the basics of feminism root. So what is the basic root of feminism? The term feminism can be used to describe a political, cultural or economic movement aimed at establishing equal rights and legal protection for women. Feminism involves political, cultural and sociological theories, as well as philosophies concerned with issues of gender difference.

Feminism for me is equality of women in every aspect of life irrespective of race, gender, or color.

I define myself as a feminist because I truly believe in equal treatment of men and women in every field of life. Feminism in US is declining in my opinion because of the fact women are now treated equally in almost every field.

GPP-J Term 2011:

GPP-J Term 2011:

Bell hooks: Cultural Criticism and Transformation

These videos of Bell Hooks’ “Cultural Criticism” series were very appealing to me. Specially where she started talking about the celebrity Madonna. Interesting thing was the very way she started her career portraying herself as a feminist representative. Later in her career how she seems to follow the very old fact of culture where everybody is chasing the dollars. I don’t know much about Madonna personally. I am not really aware of most of the US superstars, movies. Reason would be I just came here last year. Also I have not seen most of these movies these videos talked about. I can speak here on the experience I have had in this last year or what I have previously seen and on the bases of these videos.

I agree with bell hooks say about Madonna that she is trying to use sex appeal to make money as quickly as possible. The question whether the character and actions of Madonna represents that of feminist icon? In my opinion no, definitely not. She is an extremely wealthy woman but still she is giving negative comments what bell hook referred as going on the right side to make more money. This now just symbolizes greed and not feminism. Madonna is now like any other superstar who does only what is the demand of this very pop culture. Also nowadays other female superstars are using sex appeal to make money but they do not refer themselves as a feminist icon.

Media definitely leaves a solid impression on a person’s mind. The picture of oppression they show mostly is male domination and white supremacy. These images leaves an impression on us in our very early age about what is wrong and what is right, even before we are able to make a true comparison between right and wrong, good and bad. Media plays a very big role but mostly in my opinion a negative one.