Your Very Own Gender Studies Degree or; Oh Wow, I Am A Whiner.
I like where this blog is going. I started it as a continuing outlet for commentary and discussion on issues of justice, community, and religion (and I added some stuff about movies and other things I like). I’ve had some really great discussions because of it. Plus, Tumblr is just the coolest. This month I started working toward a master’s degree in Women’s and Gender Studies, which I am thoroughly enjoying. Well, I’ve been enjoying it and realizing how self-conscious it has the ability to make me feel.
Recently, I told some friends that sometimes, in social situations, I feel like people expect me to be only “Ashleigh the Feminist” when I also want to be “Ashleigh who Hangs Out”. This week, I’ve been convicted that not only do I assume people expect this of me; I also expect this of myself. I’m self-conscious about finding the line between an ideal that is both personal and political because there isn’t really a line. Everything is intertwined, all the time. It’s intimidating to align myself with something stereotypically intimidating when one of my deep-seeded fears is that I am unapproachable. Sometimes I feel like I have to figure out where the advocate in me starts and the friend in me stops, but that’s not even a space I want to seek out. Tonight I found out that a lot of the people in my department feel the same way.
I’m frustrated that what I positively align myself with has negative connotations. I’m tired that Feminism still has a bad, misinformed reputation in the media and in local circles (although I understand that the permutations of Feminism have something to do with this). I’m scared other people won’t take me seriously as an advocate for change, but will instead pair me with misinformation. I want, so badly, to align myself with the strong history of fighting sexism and it’s interconnected oppressions, and that’s the history I want to spring up in people’s minds when they hear the word “Feminism.” I’m tired of the supposition that my beliefs are silly, angry, or anti-male, especially by people benefiting from the direct work of early liberators who were none of these things. I’m tired that this whole post is about Feminism. I’m tired that it’s odd to study Queer political movements and also be attached to the history of Christianity. But, most of all, I’m tired of being a nervous little whiner about it. Feel free, if you’re my friend in non-blog life, to tell me to shut up and keep fighting the good fight. I give you permission to tell me to stop whining just because I have the privilege to whine.
I have an idea, and I hope you’ll go along with it.
I wholeheartedly believe in redistribution and this goes for all kinds of resources. Along with Things I Like and Documentary Recommendations, I’m going to start a section of this blog titled, “Your Very Own Gender Studies Degree.” Again, this is a section of the blog that will be paired with the rest of it – much like my socio-political beliefs are paired with my life, but not the only mentionable thing about it. I write this to remind myself.
I’m going to share easy-to-read histories, theories, or essay portions from class or research, and anyone who is interested can partake, redistribute, or contribute. I realize this is a small platform, but it’s one I can use. To be clear, I will only be sharing things from school in this section – no personal opinions. I will also be sharing things, regardless of my opinion or connection to them. I think it’s important that gender theories have changed, shifted, and adapted. For example, some theories and actions that were important in, say the 60’s and 70’s are now, taken out of context and mocked or misunderstood (ie: bra-burning). The continuum is important. Again, I write this to remind myself.
To start off, here are the basic definitions of Gender Studies and Feminism I would like to use and promote, keeping in mind the fluidity of such things. The definition of “Women’s Studies” I will use is the same as Gender Studies, only specific to the history of and according to women. If you have different definitions you like to use please comment and mention them.
“Gender Studies is a field of interdisciplinary study which analyses race, ethnicity, sexuality, and location.” – J.F. Healey, Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Class: The Sociology of Conflict and Change.
“Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression.” – bell hooks, Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics.
Here’s to making gender issues less scary and more empowering, for all of us (including me).
