Activism

In our last chapter, it is about activism and change. We have discussed issues that plaque society that involve women. Everyday we are battling to overcome this oppression and succeed in becoming equal. Whether we, as women, are getting paid less, receiving less respect, less opportunities, funding, more violence against us, we can still do something. It is difficult ometimes to get past the disadvantages but there are things we can do to change our society. For one we can vote, even though it can be inconvient, voting is one of the biggest ways to get your voice heard. I personally get discouraged living in a red state that my vote will not be counted, but at least I know that I did what I was supposed to do and it might make a difference. Another way is to get involved. I am a member of NARAL Pro-Choice, and feel a great sense of pride. I can proudly say that I have written to my Congressman and told him why they should not increase birth control and why what I do to my body is my choice. Being an activist, no matter what it is, will make a difference. There are many ways that you can become an activist, whether it is online website, volunteer work, protest, or write letters it will all help. After knowledge you have recieved after a Women's Studies Class, and this one in particular, you should stand-up for your rights as women. So I ask all of you, to get involved. Whether you support volunteer work at a domestic violence shelter, write to your Congressperson, protest in Washington, or vote. You can all be an activist!

The Government and Womem

Today in our class we discussed a chapter in the textbook that talked about Government and Representation. There were many areas of discussion in this chapter: particularly women in law, public policy, the criminal justice system, and the military. It was interesting reading some of the articles on women in the law. The book was published a few years ago, before Hilary Clinton was a serious contender for President, but the facts are extremely similar. Looking back at some of the acts and laws passed, they have made great strides in improving women's lives, but it is still far from perfect. It is also frightening that only a handful of women are in positions in the government.

We also discussed the increase of militarization in the United States. It is rather alarming to see toddlers walking around with camo shirts on. Why is it that people in society glamorize war, but are not willing to accept the consequences of it? It seems that we, as a society, tell our children that the military is a noble thing, yet when wounded soldiers return from battle we assume they will be fine mentally. By no means am I supporting the war we are in now, but there is a serious problem with soldiers returning with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Although the government is "helping" soldiers, we all know that is complete BS. Not only is the government hiding returning soldiers they are not giving them the health support they need. Instead of our government actually doing something to help these soldiers they promote unimportant activities such as Black Friday shopping. That way the government makes a profit to fund the unending war that will not help our soldiers. Not only is the government ruining these soldiers, they are causing an entire problem for the country. So is militarization the United States really a good thing?

Gulity after a Rape?

In our reading this past week, we read an article that dealt with this woman's feelings and thoughts after she was raped. It was a very interesting story. She started out talking about her childhood in school. She states that this boy would constantly poke her with a pencil, and it would annoy and hurt her. She agonized over it everyday, when one day she got up the courage to tell her teacher, she told her to go sit down and wait until he did it again.

Soon after this, she begins to discuss her rape. She was attacked and raped in her own home. She describe her as feeling rude for not asking him in. She is facing a man as she said scared her, and she feels rude for not asking him in. It is absolutely ridiculous that she feels this way. Why is it that she feels guilty, is that they way society has taught her? This outraged me. Later on in her story, she tells the reader about her rape. As he was raping her, she complemented him! She felt that she should give him gratitude. If it wasn't bad enough that she felt impolite, she complemented him on his performance. This is absolutely disgusting. As I was reading this, I was truly disturbed. If this is how our society deals with these situations I am truly frightened.

Prjoect (REV)

During class on Monday, we had a speaker come in and talk to us about Project REV specifically domestic violence and sexual assault. It was extremely interesting and shocking to hear some of the statistics. One of the topics she discussed was, violence against women in four different areas. These include dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. As we talked about sexual assault and alarming statistics was proven in our class. One in four women will be sexual assaulted in their lifetime. There were twenty-five people in my class and three mentioned they had already been a victim and survivor of sexual assault. I just couldn't believe that the statistic was true, three people in just my one class, and that's the only the women that feel open enough to discuss it. Another thing that the speaker talked about that caught my attention, was the rape information and stats. Most rapes are planned and are by someone you already know. Wow, to me this was shocking, I always thought, before this class, that the majority of rapes were stranger-rapes. This is not the case. The alarming fact makes it even more difficult to understand. Why is it that the people you think you can trust can turn out to be your rapists? Statistics say that between the age of 16-24 is the highest level to be sexually assaulted. Who would have thought that the person you met at the supermarket, or in class, or a gym class could be your rapist?