I'm very happy that our class discussion is moving towards sexism and gender politics. This is a very important issue to me, as I feel it should be for all of us. I've considered myself a Feminist for a long time now. In the past few years, as the debate over reproductive rights has grown more divisive, I do think that it has gradually become less of a bad word. When I would identify with Feminism in high school I think a lot of people still related the movement to the bra burning anti-men stereotype. Saying I was a Feminist was sort of controversial. Nowadays the 21st century iteration of the movement is more alligned with a pro-choice (not unilaterally, of course!), equal work equal pay, anti gender binary type of agenda, and I'm seeing more women my age identify with Feminist ideology. This is a positive progression!
I see Feminist thought manifesting in my life through both my actions and my worldview. Part of being a Feminist, in my opinion, is not allowing what society thinks you should be as a woman dictate how you carry yourself in the world. Being a woman is important to me. I'm proud of my femininity. But, I don't want to let social institutions and other people's expectations tell me what being a woman should mean to me. This can take many forms. I see friends of mine who chose not to shave their underarms. I have a lot of respect for these women, because they are making a choice based on their character, their own personal preference, not on the behaviors that are assigned to them as women.
While shaving may be a sort of small and superficial issue, it is a micro example of a bigger idea. I also admire women who take leadership roles, engage in physically demanding work (peddicabbing or carpentry, for example), speak assertively, and are self-reliant. But then again, there's nothing wrong at all about a woman who speaks softly, wears makeup, practices ballet, or anything else, if that's who she is! It's about defining ourselves as individuals and not as our gender. I guess I feel the same about any physical trait or social group we can belong to. One has the right to dictate to what nature and extent that aspect of themselves will influence their being; they should not have to be defined by it.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
The Trayvon Case
The Trayvon Martin case has been a disturbing wake-up call for the American public. However, for me it unfortunately came as no surprise. For as long as I can remember I've noticed regular incidences of blatant racism in our police force, often with violent outcomes. Even in my own hometown or Austin, TX. As a regular reader of the Austin Chronicle I've remained aware of local news and have come across shocking instances of police brutality, often reflecting racial biases within the force.
Just last Fall a young man named Byron Carter was shot in by an APD officer(http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2011-10-21/carter-called-home-before-fatal-police-shooting/). He was neither armed nor dangerous. A few years ago, in 2009, there was the tragic shooting of Nathaniel Sanders II, who was shot dead while sleeping in his friends car (http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2009-08-14/821751/). Years before, in 2007, Kevin Brown was shot in an altercation with an APD officer (http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2007-11-23/563811/). Brown was fleeing from the officer, who was interrogating him about a public disturbance, but he was unarmed.
These incidents represent three very different situations, but similar themes resound regarding the ethics of our police force. In all three situations the officers at hand greatly over-estimated the threat posed by their victims, assumedly due to racial prejudice. To shoot a citizen point-blank when there is no threat posed to an officer is unconscionable and unacceptable. Cases like these always stuck out to me as particularly relevant to the health of our communities, as the point towards a fundamental flaw (or possibly many...) in our police force. How can we as citizens feel safe when those who are payed by our tax dollars to protect us are posing as one of our greatest threats? It's a heavy problem and one I've always thought deserves more attention.
Now, I know the shooter in the Martin case was not a police officer, but rather a neighborhood watchman. However, I can only assume that if in a city like Austin we've had so many cases of police violence with blatant racial undertones that it may well be a nationwide problem. And, if the police force operating in this part of Florida were acting as ours so often does, then it leads to reason that this neighborhood watchman might mimic the destructive behaviors displayed by his civic employees. While Martin's shooter is individually and personally responsible for his actions, I do think that they are indicative of larger persistent problems within our justice system.
As tragic as young Mr. Martin's untimely passing has been, the one piece of good that may come from it is an impetus for change as a nation. Hopefully we will begin to look with more scrutiny upon our police force and hold them accountable for unjust actions.
Just last Fall a young man named Byron Carter was shot in by an APD officer(http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2011-10-21/carter-called-home-before-fatal-police-shooting/). He was neither armed nor dangerous. A few years ago, in 2009, there was the tragic shooting of Nathaniel Sanders II, who was shot dead while sleeping in his friends car (http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2009-08-14/821751/). Years before, in 2007, Kevin Brown was shot in an altercation with an APD officer (http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2007-11-23/563811/). Brown was fleeing from the officer, who was interrogating him about a public disturbance, but he was unarmed.
These incidents represent three very different situations, but similar themes resound regarding the ethics of our police force. In all three situations the officers at hand greatly over-estimated the threat posed by their victims, assumedly due to racial prejudice. To shoot a citizen point-blank when there is no threat posed to an officer is unconscionable and unacceptable. Cases like these always stuck out to me as particularly relevant to the health of our communities, as the point towards a fundamental flaw (or possibly many...) in our police force. How can we as citizens feel safe when those who are payed by our tax dollars to protect us are posing as one of our greatest threats? It's a heavy problem and one I've always thought deserves more attention.
Now, I know the shooter in the Martin case was not a police officer, but rather a neighborhood watchman. However, I can only assume that if in a city like Austin we've had so many cases of police violence with blatant racial undertones that it may well be a nationwide problem. And, if the police force operating in this part of Florida were acting as ours so often does, then it leads to reason that this neighborhood watchman might mimic the destructive behaviors displayed by his civic employees. While Martin's shooter is individually and personally responsible for his actions, I do think that they are indicative of larger persistent problems within our justice system.
As tragic as young Mr. Martin's untimely passing has been, the one piece of good that may come from it is an impetus for change as a nation. Hopefully we will begin to look with more scrutiny upon our police force and hold them accountable for unjust actions.
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