I was recently browsing the internet (in all the
free time I don’t have), and came across this “confession bear” meme.
http://9gag.com/gag/amXzDp4
I actually found this before we’d even had our first
class, but for some reason, it was very upsetting to me. I’ll admit that I don’t
have much knowledge about gender and women’s studies at all, but that’s why I
signed up for this course. I’m obviously very interested in learning more about
it, and seeing this made me feel as though I was being discouraged from exploring
the subject before I’d even begun. By the time I had read though a few of the
comments on this photo, I was more than a little angry. In fact, I couldn’t
bring myself to finish reading them. While a few people (both men and women)
were defending the study as a legitimate one, the majority of people were in
agreement with the person who posted the meme. Two of the comments with the
most “likes” included: “Why not? We need people to work at fastfoods and it won't
be those with proper studies,” and “Yah I agree. If you want something to be
equal don't point out how it's different.” Unfortunately for the people who
were arguing in favor of this viewpoint, these two comments were probably the
most intelligent sounding ones. In fact, if you take a look at the comments, you
will probably notice that most of the people making the arguments against women's studies come off as
being extremely narrow-minded and uneducated on the subject. I find it tremendously
sad that so many people are comfortable with being totally ignorant on such an
important and interesting subject, but it’s a reality that I’m beginning to face.
Hopefully there will come a day when this will no longer be the case, but for
now we can all just read this article to cheer us up- http://thoughtcatalog.com/2012/5-reasons-you-should-major-in-womens-studies/
J
That's very true.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you are saying here, Kim. I can't believe the comment, "If you want something to be equal, don't point out how it's different." The point of making something equal is to point out the differences so people can know those differences and make changes. People definitely need to do a little research on the subject before commenting, because then at least they will have a more valid argument that can back up their claims.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting the pick-me-up at the end! haha much needed.
ReplyDeleteI think it's also important to point out that just because two things are different, doesn't mean that they are not, or can not be, equal.
In my opinion, one of the best examples to illustrate this point is that people often times try to say that they aren't racist because they're "colorblind", they don't see skin color. But isn't that sort of silencing those other groups? by not offering them the legitimate attention to their histories and differences that make us diverse? I think it's much more respectful and I mean, just more in touch with reality to recognize that not everybody is the same. There is diversity in the world, in body type, skin color, ethnic background, religious background, gender identity, even within their own respective "groups" but that doesn't mean they can't be equal.
That different but equal rant was really in regards to that person's comment, "don't point out the differences if you want something to be equal thing". I've seen/heard this argument a lot, especially on internet comment threads.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to see your experience with different views on the Women's Study field of study. From it being shut out very negatively and marginally, then reinterpreted through the Hilary Watchler's article and your own understanding of self exploration. As one that struggles to see/articulate the coverage potential of WS degrees compared to others, this post is an encouraging and ongoing reminder.
ReplyDelete