Untitled

[ralfyjjc-blog]

How to be a Woman in Any Boy’s Club by Molly Lambert

It was actually funny reading this article because the things that were said that go through women’s heads are crazy. Now a days you do see this as an issue though that there is usually one girl in a clique of guys and after a while when another girl comes around it gets competitive because their spot is “being challenged” or they might just want to be the only girl in the group. And as the article states trying to stay as the only woman basically makes you think you are a man and that your other female counterparts are not good enough and in reality you are still alone because you are not a man. I always say in a way a clique of dudes is just a clique of dudes and yea its cool having a girl around but guys tend to act different when a girl is around even if she is cool and dope enough for the clique (not all but some guys switch up). Guys keep the sense of masculinity when they are among themselves and show their dominance in showing off to the girl(s) but that does not make the girls one of the guys. Their job is to just sit and enjoy the show persay. One thing that is right is that it is smart to befriend other girls in the group because then you can keep to yourself and not try to force yourself in the man conversation or sit alone and look helpless but girls are different tend to not get along easier than guys do.

[ralfyjjc-blog]

Fun Home by Bechdel

This was definitely an interesting read. The graphic novel follows the life of a lesbian girl who is arguably close but not so close with her father. It can be interpreted as people putting up fronts and making people think they see what you want them to think. A major thing going on in society today. The father in the graphic novel puts up a front of having a close and loving family, i.e takes pictures with them and such, everyone on the outside thinks he is a good man and during his funeral people expressed these such feelings. He puts appearances of how he is good with detail and structure and matching things up but to no ones knowledge he was a closet gay. He had sex with two other males and no one knew. Bechdel found out because she found pictures of their sitter in his possession and they had a quick conversation about it but it became awkward immediately after. The likelyhood of homosexuals being out in the open about themselves is difficult especially when you have a family, also when you have been hiding it and find out your child is one openly. Makes you question on how much of a strong person you are and see things as weakness and holding you back. This is a serious matter but people like Bechdel learned alot about it and adapted and expressed alot of it. 

[ralfyjjc-blog]

They Don't Want to Cruise Your Type: Gay Men of Color and the Racial Politics of Exclusion by Chong-Suk Han

Being gay has no color or shape to it. When back in the day people only assumed white people were gay that was kinda messed but because asians and blacks were too. You can in a way think it was a good thing because nobody would technically be in your business but in reality it is like saying “hey you are black or asian you must be straight” or “you musr have a wife and kids”. so it is crazy how that turns out. It is a sense of racism and judgement and it never stops to amaze me. Han says that, “I pretended not to notice the absence of black images in this new gay life“ and “When I  go to the baths, I  usually go home empty handed without even one guy having hit or making a pass at me” because for some reason it was not seen to have other then white gays. Imagine trying to hook up one night but no one hits on you because they are always making an assumption about you? that would really suck. People have to just go with the flow and figure things out through interactions rather then assuming with your own eyes.

[ralfyjjc-blog]

“Homosexual” and “Heterosexual” Questioning the Terms by Jonathan Katz

Though these terms are just socially constructed, they weight a heavy meaning in todays society. Being a heterosexual is the norm while being homosexual is considered an issue. I do not know why it is hard for people to accept same sex interactions due to the fact that it is not their lives that are being effected at all. Kat makes a great point in the article saying that “If we stop projecting those categories On societies in which they did not operate, we can open our eyes to the historical varieties of gender, affection, and eroticism past.” This being said, society would be much easier to have people interact more with eachother because a sense of judgement is not being spread upon. Same sex and Opposite sex interactions are basically the same and yes they have their differences but they should not effect anyone but the people personally involved.

[ralfyjjc-blog]

Gay, New York by George Chauncey

Being part of the middle class comes with a set of standards you can arguably say. Back in the day being gay or being associated in anyway with that tern would bring judgment on you or be isolated. Down in the Bowery area, men used that place as a sense of an escape you can say because everyone down there were gay or dressed in a way. Sex was being used and no one was judged, things just happened and it was the way it was. A new set or a norm in a way. People fear that being gay is wrong and are taught that gayness can be cured but in reality it is just a way someone feels and you have to accept that whether you like it or not. Insulting words are tend to be used but back then are around the Bowery are it was a relief. They felt normal and happy to do what they were doing.

[ralfyjjc-blog]

Be All You Can Be

Compared to the other workbook I read, this one goes on to put transgender as a category. It shows the signs of how transgender is not a complete gender according to the pyramid and that being said it becomes a crime against gender. Who has the right to tell you it is a crime to make yourself feel comfortable in your own skin? You should do as you see fit as long as you are not hurting anyone and that you are being happy with yourself. It does not matter if you express yourself in the opposite genders clothes or want to transition. The norm is not always the way to go.

[ralfyjjc-blog]

Transgendering: Blurring the Boundaries of Genders by McKenna and Kessler

The boundaries of transgenders are that they are basically against the norm. The norm in which is just two genders, which are male and females. So you are either a boy or a girl and given a social construct on how you re suppose to live and how you are suppose to act. A transgender person society sees is trying to “fight” it and put their own label on things as they transition from a male to a female or vice versa a female to a male. Yes they stress that they identify as they want and they are whatever they transition too but the major thing a transition can not generate is the reproduction system. So a male can transition to a female but the odds of being pregnant are highly unlikely. Im sure transgender people were around at the1900s but were just not out because they were frowned upon and considered freaks. They would be black balled and probably even harassed. And for the ones who could have left it quiet, took that ti their full advantage. But regardless a transition is the right for the person to be comfortable in their own skin and feel how they want to feel as Kessler and McKenna tell.

[ralfyjjc-blog]

Domesticating Masculinity and Masculizing Domesticity in Contemporary U.S. Fatherhood Politics by Anna Gavanas

It was funny to me that men have a “Fatherhood Responsibility Movement” because technically the world “revolves” around them and i do not say that as in men run the world but more like life comes to them easier with opportunities and things like that than women. So why have a movement? When it comes to parenthood, men are usually deadbeats and leave the mother to fend for themselves. They are not usually home because they are either working or out with the boys. But i guess men are tired of being people in a category (funny cause women are always on one) and what to show that they can be nurturing people too besides the women. And can be part of their kids lives while still looking manly and being the dominant one in them family. The movement stated that men have been marginalized in the household and women were being more dominant. So men started standing up for themselves and were showing that they can keep up and do what they regularly could do while the women can stay in their lane.

[ralfyjjc-blog]

Household Labor and the Routine Production of Gender by Scott Coltrane

Coltrane says that “mothering” is a natural expression because society has expressed that women are perfect for stay home roles because they are naturally caring and nurture people. When it comes to parenthood, the gender roles are technically already set with the man gets the job and provides while the woman stays home and does the chores and takes care of the children. This is the norm because having the roles reversed will cause a sense of doubt in the mans ability to provide and then will be looked down at by other men with the thought that a woman is better than him and he can not do his job. This goes with the account of femininity vs masculinity because each person got their own “jobs” as society puts it but when they reach out and try to actually do it reversed which is very possible no win today age, people just get confused.

[ralfyjjc-blog]

Dude, You’re a Fag by CJ Pascoe

“to be penetrated, is it abdicate power.” is a quote that Pascoe says at the beginning of the article and it has a strong meaning to it. It shows how males must be in power in society and that being gay puts you outside the norm and makes people question a mans masculinity and how people start to view you. When it comes to a guys night out, dudes hang out and throw shots at each other but are usually careful with what they say because it can come out “wrong” so the terms “pause” and “no homo” must be said so that your boys do not look at you differently. In todays society usually anything a male says can make someone question who they are, for example if a man calls another man cute or something in a compliment it is considered gay and if a man taps another mans butt if it is not sports related a fight can break out or the “victim” will get mad. 

Homophobia plays a factor because some people just do not feel comfortable being around gay people or being in that type of conversation or etc. People throw the word “fag” around jokingly but sometimes it can be offensive (not saying it is not an offensive word already) but sometimes it just covers that they do not like that stuff. A mans masculinity is shown with women because they are penetrating them and showing the power and dominance they have in the bedroom, but with gay people but are penetrating and being penetrated so it is like power is being shared? In society they can not be right because a man must never be dominated or subdued by anyone. 

[ralfyjjc-blog]

“Toward New Masculinities” from Beyond Machismo by Aida Hurtado

Machismo is basically being a macho. For a man that is worn on his sleeve and his pride is how well and he can show to everyone around him his sense of authority and power amongst everyone else, whether it is towards women or other men. As a man weakness can not be shown or else you will be judged a man never wants that type of attention. This articles expresses that and also compares the cultures of latinos and white people. It states how compared to white people latinos do not really have much in life to look forward too. Latinos struggled in their homelands because they were not many opportunities out there so they migrate to america for a better life for themselves and their families. So you would can sorta expect their level of macho is up there because they have bee working and protecting their families at a young age so their masculinity can not be questioned. They know struggle. 

[ralfyjjc-blog]

Masculinity Among African American Men by Baron Rogers

African Americans have been oppressed for a very long time and with that being the case you can also say that for the men their masculinity has been questioned more times than one, but is it really their fault? But in their household they raised their sons to be the man of the house and be the provider. They showed them at young ages to be reliable and strong and be respected most of all. They were always overlooked since slavery and had odds against them but it is crazy on in the survey that was conducted how most only saw being a man as white norm characteristics like that makes no sense. One man came out with manhood is not different from race. For one to only believe that among a variety says a lot. Just the world puts gender, race and etc. in its own category almost trying to say one is better than the other which can connect to hegemonic masculinity and how competition is a characteristic that makes a man.

[ralfyjjc-blog]

Welcome to the Mens Club by Sharon Bird

For a man to be a man they must have three specific characteristics, which are emotional detachment, competitiveness and sexual objectification of women. With these characteristics a man is without a doubt who he says he is but without one or the other they can be questioned and judged by their peers. Hegemonic masculinity lets the world know that it is men on top and they follow a set of “rules” to make sure that their dominance is seen and respected. To me men are scared to be judged so that is why they stay in their norm of following what they already do and know. Going back to the characteristics, without sexual objectification of women (having sex) people would judge and think they are gay because who else wil they be having sex with? and being called gay sets guys to be overly defensive and hurt to a certain extent. When it comes to their competitiveness, a man must always be hard and never want to be out done by anyone but if a man lacks that, then who are they really but a softy. And for the emotions, this is crucial because “no one” whats a sensitive man. So boys are raised to not show emotion or be affectionate because they will be seen as “pussies” and to society nobody “especially women do not like those types. But in reality people gotta understand yes these characteristics are important, they do not define a man completely anymore because we have evolved and adapted to the new things. we can still be men while still expressing ourselves, being with who we want to be with and have a sense of dominance or not.

[ralfyjjc-blog]

What is Hegemonic Masculinity by Mike Donaldson

First and foremost, hegemonic is the sense of dominance in a social context so you can put two and two together and say hegemonic masculinity is a sense of dominance in society and social class. Basically going on with what we have been talking about for a while of how men should be dominant over women. Women are still feeling the oppression when it comes to men but they still are making certain changes in the system that are letting society know they will not fold easily. The paradigm is shifting and women are coming along in certain work spaces but regardless men will still have places of dominance that will be theirs to hold for a while, especially politics but other things such as and ect.. women are well aware and fine with what they do. they are not stay homes and they will not be silenced and economically placed forever.

[ralfyjjc-blog]

Act Like a Man by Paul Kivel

This article is soooo relatable because growing up i saw these type of things. When i was younger i was considered “soft” because i was not as aggressive as the other guys, demanding or emotionally strong and i was ridiculed for it. I did not understand why but as I got older i started to realize it was because the other guys were taught to be in control because, well for one reason, apparently that is how you got the girl. This act like a man box that Kivel speaks about is probably a social construct society gives to us so that we know that we are the dominant ones and that if we are not we will be pushed around and thrown into the gutter. Showing emotion and being kind is seen as feminine traits when in reality we are all human beings and have the right to express ourselves the way we see fit. Doing such does not emasculate us by any means, it just shows that we are more mature and that we adapted to society in a way they thought we could not.

[ralfyjjc-blog]

This Bridge Called My Back by Moraga and Anzaldua

Usually a bridge is a sign of hope or a new beginning. It has the power to make anyone strive for greatness and help them believe that their goals and ambitions are not impossible. Moraga and Anzaldua want people to understand that change is possible whether it is from racism or feminism but it is just going to take time and effort. One thing Moraga said in the article was, “if we are interested in making a movement that will not constantly be subverted by internal differences then we must build from the inside out, not the other way around.” This is a powerful thing to say because it is human nature to try to bring outside stuff to the inside so people can see what they are missing out on but if you actually start from the inside of the system the results will be more effective because you would be going against the norm and showing a difference in life. Another thing that was said was, “we must acknowldedge that to change the world we must change ourselves.” and this implies heavily on literally every social issue the world throws at people. To stop racism people should stop with their own racist regards, to stop downplaying women people should let them strive and give them chances in certain fields of work. To fight the system of the norm of men being more dominant and the power of white privilege then people have to look at themselves first and see if they are one of the people either knowingly or unintentionally causing this kind of rift in society because even the smallest amount of remarks fuel the system and make change longer to happen then it actually should.

[ralfyjjc-blog]

The Problem That Has No Name by Betty Friedan

The stereotypical woman is suppose to do what she is told and never speak out of place, she is suppose to know how to cook, clean, nurture and show respect to a world dominated by man. But in reality women are way more than that. They can do all those things and provide for themselves and their families, they do not have to wait till spoken too because they too have the right to voice their opinions and the right to speak out to defend themselves and prove points that stubborn men do not want to hear or understand. There are no more standard house rules to follow and the issue is not about being such an object but being able to break out of the cage that people gentrify women in and let them show what they are capable of. Education and workplaces are always a topic because women are always heavily doubted but in reality some women are better than the man but they just are not the initial idea of someone that is capable of doing such work. Women fought for equality so what makes this so hard? Why does thinking outside the norm always an issue? Why must the system try to keep us confided into one way of life? Woman have a voice and sometimes society makes it hard to hear.