Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Activism Blog #9

Enrique Irizarry
Jeannina Perez
WST 3015
April 20, 2010


Activism Blog #9:

Up to this point our team seems to be moving in the right direction. Our goals are being met. As of now, we are currently working on table ling at the University of Central Florida. We have been able to gather some recruits to help us; the NOW organization at the university. The members that are available to attend will have lab-tops ready for anyone who would like to sign up for the petition. The students will be informed of what our goals are and what their signatures mean to our petition. Unfortunately, I will not be able to meet during these times specified for table ling due to my work schedule. Yet, I am still spreading the word to multiple people online.

I do believe that table ling will definitely help spread our message. Many students will be astonished to discover who Alice Paul is and what the women’s movement was really about. To this day, as I substitute countless students, I ask if any of them know who Alice Paul is, and they still give me blank stares. Table ling with further allow us to reach people who may not be able to have access or knowledge of our movement, and from there they can tell their friends about our message and the petition. By table ling at the University, we are becoming what Megan Seely noted about third wavers and how, “We don’t want to be expected merely to show up for events but rather want to be included in the design and creation of the event. We don’t want to be considered the future of the movement; we want to be part of the movement today and help build for the future(71).” We are taking these such actions to one day change the way students are learning history. We want people to learn and realize what struggles women had to face like other groups in history. As third wavers, we want recognition for what everyone has done to contribute to history and not just a select group of people that may be considered more important than another. Our ultimate goal is to gain enough recognition to make changes in the way we look at women and their contributions to history and this country.

Our actions speak louder than our words and as a group, we still have one more week to continue to spread our message and be active. Also, throughout the remainder of the week, our group will discuss how we will present our project to our classmates. Everything from timelines, to face book, to emailing, will be discussed in regards to the proper presentation of our project.

Works Cited:

Seely, Megan. Fight like a Girl: How to Be a Fearless Feminist. New York: New York UP, 2007. Print.
Enrique Irizarry
Jeannina Perez
WST 3015


ABSTRACT:
Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power
“To encourage excellence is to go beyond the encouraged mediocrity of our society. To go beyond the encouraged mediocrity of our society is to encourage excellence.”
-Audre Lorde

In her essay titled, “Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power,” Audre Lorde points to the importance of the erotic while clearing up the mainstream idea of what the erotic is and what it is not. Lorde emphasis what the erotic is not. The erotic is not a mindset that women have, which allows them to want to be engaged in sexual activity such as pornography or anything related to obscene material. What the mainstream idea believes the erotic is made of is completely contradictory to what it actually is. According to Lorde, the erotic is a state of mind and realization that women reach within themselves and bring outward in order to finally live their lives to the fullest. With this newly found discovery of the true erotic come benefits. Audre Lorde states some of the benefits from the erotic that she experiences are as follows: the erotic allows women to have the power to share deep information, for any reason, with another person. Second, the erotic allows Lorde to share any information of joy through all forms such as: physical, emotional, psychic, or intellectual. One of the biggest ways the erotic helps Lorde is through the “fearless” odyssey of searching for joy. Furthermore, the erotic is the capacity for feeling which does not necessarily have to come with strings attach. One of the most profound findings of the erotic is the ability to experience joy without such add-ons as marriage, an after-life or any other external sources. Unfortunately, as Lorde also indicates, the journey of the erotic is an internal struggle. Lorde notes that most women who live under the typical European-American male tradition find it hard to reach their full scope as women and the erotic. In the patriarchy system that many of these women live in, most are bombarded with fears of not believing in such a life style due to racism and anti-erotic societies. For many women it is hard to be alone, but, with isolation there comes definition of oneself. Finding the individual erotic test the norms of many societies and requires women to move beyond traditional ways. Lorde also mentioned that the erotic makes women fearless and powerful and this is precisely the reason why most men, who support and provide favor to the patriarchy societies, reduce women and their erotic only as far as the bedroom . The erotic is a power, and once found, can lead to good and bad consequences depending on one’s perspective. As Lorde also states, the erotic is being misused for the benefit of men and until women discover it within themselves then nothing will change.

Works Cited:
Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2007. Print.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Activism #8

Enrique Irizarry
Jeannina Perez
WST 3015
April 13, 2010

Activism Blog #8:


As noted by one of our petition signers, Paula Hampton, signer number 201, "This is very important, especially since all efforts towards getting the Equal Rights Amendment to become a reality have taken a back seat in the public's conscienceness in this new millenium. We women need to take up this issue again and run hard with it! It's the right thing to do for ourselves, for our children, and the next seven generations that come after us. This could have profound effects on the fututre of those generations."

Although I am very pleased that our petition seems to be moving in the right direction, I somewhat wish that Paula Hampton would have chosen her words more carefully. Basically, I wish that she would have took the time to notice that this movement isn't just about women acting for change, but men as well who support this movement, like me:) Furthermore, Megan Seely stated it clearly when she said in her text, "Fight like a Girl," "Men are not the enemy. They, too, are at a disadvantage in a patriarchal soceity. Men in the feminist movement can take a stand against gender-based oppression and speak out about the cult of masculinity that boxes them into a very narrow accepted norm(81)."

Also, as I watched the movie, Bridge to Terabithia, I thought it was funny how Jess Aarons thought is was weird that Leslie Burke could build things so well. Leslie came back and noted, how was it possible for a boy, like himself, to not be good at building, but draw well as an artists? This is precisely the reason why this movement affects both men and women, boys and girls. Although there may be some discrepencies, I am happy to note that there are people willing to help with their signatures.

Also, I am happy to say that I have successfully emailed all of my organizations and all of the colleges that I was designated to contact via email. This was perhaps that most challenging task. Emailing all the college from the states of Hawaii to Maryland was nothing easy, but our group has enjoyed success. Just recently, the head coordinator/chair at Western Illinois University already made contact with us and noted that she will pass on the word. Overall, this past week has been a success.

Work Cited:

Seely, Megan. Fight like a Girl: How to Be a Fearless Feminist. New York: New York UP, 2007. Print.

Blog #8-"Just close your eyes, but keep your mind open"-Leslie Burke

Enrique Irizarry
Jeannina Perez
WST 3015
April 14, 2010
Blog #8

As stated by the Fray, “Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend somewhere along in the bitterness and I would have stayed up with you all night had I known how to save a life.” After viewing the movie, “Bridge to Terabithia,” these lyrics by the Fray struck my mind. When Leslie Burke past away she left her mark on Jess Aarons. Leslie meant more to Jess than anything else in the world and Jess admired her just as much. Yet, more than their wonderful relationship with each other, it was their passion for adventure in a place once forgotten by many kids today, nature. Leslie and Jess went on numerous odysseys. Nature was the driving force behind their escape from society and the everyday culture that they lived in, school. This movie has depicted images that many people may see as different. Jess was the artist, while Leslie was the adventurer. It was amazing to see this in the characters since in today’s view of nature, boys are usually the warriors and girls are characterized as being soft and dainty, or the artist. Furthermore, the image of nature has played a major role in consecrating the importance of cherishing the outdoors. From an environmental justice standpoint, to a delocalization view, nature is seen as the binding between relationships of family members and friends in Bridge to Terabithia.

Leslie said it perfectly when she stated, “You’ll see, just close your eyes and keep you mind open.” When people begin to cherish the wonders of nature, magic happens. As Kirk and Okazawa-Rey mentioned, “Nature is not something far away, to be encountered on weekend hikes or occasional camping trips. Everyone is connected to the natural environment in the most mundane but profound way: through the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat, as embodied human begins in a continuum of life.” This is precisely what Leslie has emphasized and shown Jess to do, to think about nature and its wonders because it’s everywhere.

Leslie and Jess are constantly harassed by other students because of their relationship with nature. Leslie has no t.v. because her father believes that it kills brain cells. This is similar to what Elizabeth, in Gaia Girls-Enter the Earth, goes through at her home. Elizabeth watches “Tree T.V.” Tree t.v. is watching nature at work and admiring the beauty that takes place when a tree falls and nature takes over.

Jack Aarons, Jess’ father, said, “She brought you something special when she came here, didn’t she? That’s what you hold on to. That’s how you keep her alive.” Just like Elizabeth in Gaia Girls, series one, Jess must learn to embrace what Leslie has marked on him, the fascinating world of nature and imagination. Nature was depicted as both scary and hurtful at times, but with the right mind set anyone can see that nature is always on your side.


Works Cited

Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2007. Print.

Welles, Lee, and Ann Hameister. Gaia Girls: Enter the Earth. White River Junction, Vt.: Chelsea Green Pub., 2006. Print.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Road Trip-Blog #7

Enrique Irizarry
Jeannina Perez
WST 3015
April 4, 2010
Road Trip

By Riverbend

“We heard the usual instructions before we left- stop at checkpoints, return before dark and if anyone wants the car, give them the keys- don’t argue, don’t fight it.” This is the personal reflection of Riverbend on a “Road Trip” to an aunt’s house. Her reflection of this day was descriptive of the usual day spent in Iraq since the war started. Nothing has been the same. Riverbend notes that “Being out in the streets is like being caught in a tornado. You have to be alert and ready for anything every moment.” It is sad to read how much a country has changed and the people within the country. In this particular blog entry, Riverbend wants to educate readers on the realities of everyday life in Iraq. As her and families members try to travel through the streets of Iraq, terror strikes and lurk everywhere. Riverbend also expands and informs readers of the creation of gangs. Many people have organized and recruited people into gangs in order to obtain power and gain the scarce resources left. These gangs thus form borders that tell people living in certain district where to go, what is safe, and where not to cross. Gloria Anzaldua reflects on similar images when she notes that, “Borders are set up to define the places that are safe and unsafe, to distinguish us from them (393).” Anzaldua also states that borders are, “…a constant state of transition (393).” This is exactly what Riverbend is speaking of, a constant state of transition where there is frequent hostility and a constant state of alertness. Riverbend wants readers to understand “The ride that took 20 minutes pre-war Iraq, took 45 minutes today.” Her life, and for the lives of those around her, is no longer what it used to be, and danger lurks even with the countenance of one’s face upon another.
According to Kirk and Okazawa-Rey on Globalization and Militarism, “In the current war on Iraq, a key issue is access to oil to supplies.” Furthermore, as Riverbend mentions herself, “Gasoline lines drive people crazy because, prior to the war, the price of gasoline in Iraq was ridiculously low. A liter of gasoline (unleaded) cost around 20 Iraqi Dinars when one US dollar equaled 2,000 Iraqi dinars. In other words, 1 liter of gasoline cost one cent! A liter of bottled water cost more than gasoline. Not only does it cost more now, but it isn’t easy to get. I think they’re importing gasoline from Saudi Arabia and Turkey.”
In conclusion, Riverbend notes the everyday struggles that are prevalent. From picking up gas, to travelling to an aunt’s house, nothing is the same with new foreign and domestic hostilities. Riverbend aspires to inform readers of personal reflections that go sometimes un-noticed by people who are not on “that side of the border.”

Works Cited:

Riverbend. "Road Trip." Web log post. Baghdad Burning. Blogger, 30 Aug. 2003. Web. 4 Apr. 2010. .

Seely, Megan. Fight like a Girl: How to Be a Fearless Feminist. New York: New York UP, 2007. Print.

Activism log #7

Enrique Irizarry
Jeannina Perez
WST 3015
April 4, 2010
Blog #7:

This past week has been composed of gathering information from schools and organizations. This is taking longer than expected because there are many schools with Women’s Studies departments. Getting the individual information of the schools to email our letters of awareness to them has been the most laborious work in our activism, to me at least. I do have most of the schools information with who I need to contact, but I’m still working on getting the rest. I have been slowly sending emails to the schools whose information I do have. Furthermore, I have also gathered a list of organizations that I will soon be sending emails out to. In the upcoming weeks our group will have accomplished the following: petition, emails to organizations and schools and representatives, and tabling. I petition has also been set up. I am proud to say that my name is the third one on the petition. This is another outlet for our project and our awareness. Now, with the use of the online petition and the face book, we are bound to get more support than in previous weeks. Here is the link to our petition just in case you would like to sign it! http://www.petitiononline.com/w2238868/petition.html

Up to this point in our project I am starting to see things evolve. A couple of weeks ago I believe that our group did feel inclined to making changes but we were somewhat at a standstill. Now that were moving and taking action, our project is more of a reality. As Megan Seely noted, “Listen. Read. Support. Advocate (67).” These words express exactly what we as a group are doing to bring awareness to everyone who feels the need to get such a movement going until it is enacted. Without a pure impulse of starving for change, I don’t think that I would have managed to get this far with a mission like ours. To conclude, from the words of Seely, “Get honest with yourself and about your actions.”

Works Cited

Seely, Megan. Fight like a Girl: How to Be a Fearless Feminist. New York: New York UP, 2007. Print.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Activism log #6

After numerous attempts of trying to get another official meeting with our group leader, we were able to get together. This meeting has been very crucial for our success and our gains in bringing out awareness of a Women's National Holiday here in America. We establish we is going to do what and when we have deadlines to turn things in to our group leader. We are going to be reaching out to all 50 states with universities/colleges who have a women's studies departement. Our letter is ready to be sent to each and every one of these schools. Furthermore, I will be working on gathering feminists organizations so that I may also let these groups know of what are goals are so that we can get more support. We have also come up with a date so that we can table and reach out to the students locally at UCF. Our petition will be under way as well. We will create petitions through our facebook so that our fans, and perhaps, other potential fans can support this cause. This last meeting has really put us in a great direction and I believe our group will make significant gains from here until the end of the semester.