Activism Log 10

Adam Green
NIna Perez
WST 3015

Activism
The course and our project has come to an end. We met with Nina today to discuss the final presentation and to tie up loose ends regarding the campaign.
The national holiday recognizing Alice Paul has not been signed into law yet. There is still so much work to be done before then. I am proud that we have grated the foundation for this grassroots campaign. At times, it was very tedious. Nontheless, it was fulfilling. I will always be a supporter for Alice Paul Day and continue to tell others about Alice Paul and the Suffrage Movement. As long as I have a facebook, I will continue to disseminate the petition and watch out for that glorious day in history when our work is complete. I believe that there could be an Alice Paul Day in our country really soon!

Reflection
This has been my first experience in feminism. According to Seely, "Feminism is the vision an practice of a truly just society; it is about believing in our worth as women and girls; it is about the opportunity to dream and to see those dreams realizes. It is a movement to have our stories told, our experiences recognized, our bodies protected, our lives values and our voices counted in all levels of decision making and leadership" (Seely 224). The campaign for an Alice Paul National Holiday has a mission to tell the story of Alice Paul and remind us of all the other suffragists and feminists who were brave enough to fight hard for equality in American history.
I believe in the worth of women and girls. I believe that this holiday will affect generations of women, empowering them and giving them a positive history to look back on.
Reciprocity
I have learned how to Fight Like a Girl and be a fearless feminist. Although this work has not been easy, I believe it will be worth it. Teaching those who never knew a thing about the existence of Alice Paul has been rewarding in itself.

Works Cited
Seely, Megan. Fight Like a Girl. New York: New York University Press, 2007. Print.

Activism Log 9

Adam Green
Nina Perez
WST 3015

Activism
We tabled outside the Student Union in the free speech zone. We did not experience heavy traffic, but I had an opportunity to discuss Alice Paul and our campaign with students who passed by. Some signed the petition, others did not. As I expected, the majority of the students did not know who Alice Paul was. But some did. I think it is amazing that we have come all the way to college, experiencing twelve years worth of education, never hearing a word about Alice Paul. I really enjoyed breaking the news about Alice Paul to others. I sensed in many of the people I talked to the same curiosity I felt when Nina introduced her story to the class. Tabling gave me an opportunity to experience live action activism. I enjoyed the experience.
Reflection
Our activism project has been a process. We have taken our passion for a national holiday for Alice Paul from the micro level to the meso level. We are on our way to seeing the fruition of Alice Paul Day impacting our country at a macro level. We have made a place for ourselves in the Global Women's Movement. "This essentially individualistic experience seems to engender a connection to the wider universe of injustice in a way that leads to a better understanding of the link between different forms of oppression and builds life-long commitments to the struggle against injustice" (Antrobus 635). We are participating in a project that is greater than this course can contain. We are on a journey to challenge the intellect, education, and understanding of women's history in this nation and around the globe.
Reciprocity
It is amazing to feel myself become political. I have literally demonstrated the feminist montra: the personal is poltical. Tabling is actual face to face activism. Much like the protests and rallies Alice Paul led, I have stepped out of my comfort zone to pursue political change.

Antrobus, Peggy. "The Global Women's Movement. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th Ed.New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 629-636.

Activism Log 8

Adam Green
Nina Perez
WST 3015

Activism:
This week I have sent letters out to feminist organizations. We think that feminist organizations would be likely to support our campaign. Most of the feminist organizations are political in nature, so they might have valuable resources to add to our campaign. I'm excited about what we are doing here. This one is for the girls. We are also preparing soon to table outside the Union for supporters.

Reflection
We have been discussing girl's studies lately. We discussed the importance of girls in the experience of women and feminism. This campaign for a national women's holiday is connected to girl's studies. Girl's need to know that they have a place in this world; they are descendants of many powerful women, and they actually have a history. We have denied women's history for the most part in educational discourse. We are in a unique position to reclaim an identity for girls by reclaiming women's history. This campaign is starting to mean more to me now than ever before. The future of girls, their identities and self-awareness all depend on knowing their history. . In the words of Alice Walker," But this is not the end of the story, for all the young women,-our mothers and grandmothers, ourselves- have not perished in the wilderness" (Walker 235). The legacy of Alice Paul is a great reminder of the struggle and fight of women for the sake of equality and agency in America. Her legacy will live on. This is the reason for this campaign. THis the reason why I will never forget Alice Paul.

Reciprocity
I have grown to appreciate generations of people. We are all standing in the present, because of powerful people from the past. We all have a responsibilty to the future too. I have learned to recognize my place in the cosmic order of time and space.

Works Cited
Walker, Alice. In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens: Womanist Prose. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1983. Print.

Bridge to Terabithia

Adam Scott Green
April 14, 2009
Introduction to Women's Studies
J. Perex


The Bridge to Terabithia plays on stereotypes of boys and girls. At Jesse and Leslies school and family gender norms separate the boys and the girls, create the mood for bullying, and defines the core limitations of the characters. For example, in our society and this movie, girls are not expected to win in a race of men; but in the beginning of this film, Leslie beats all the boys in a foot race. Leslie is introduced as a symbol of power, and a threat to the boys. Jesse was particularly uncomfortable with her presence. However, their relationship shifts, as they become friends, and rulers of a fantasy Kingdom called Terabithia.

Leslie does not allow gender stereotypes to oppress her as they have limited the self-esteem and happiness of Jesse. Jesse is uncomfortable wearing his sister’s feminine hand-me-down shoes. He is teased, alienated, and bullied at the expense of anything feminine about him. For this reason, he is suppressed and oppressed at the sake of gender. However, The Bridge to Terabithia leads to a place of freedom, where oppression is obsolete and anything is possible among the trees. The scenes in Terabithia take place in a wilderness but the vast landscape of trees, plants, and waterfalls is beautiful. I think we could call this wilderness paradise. The movie romanticizes nature. Accoriding to Jeanine Perez, romanticizing nature is the idea that “If I am connected to nature, everything will be awesome (Perez April 14, 2010).” Leslie leads Jess across the Bride to Terabitha. The bridge connects Jesse and Leslie to romanticized nature.

Away from nature, on the other side of Terabithia Leslie and Jesse are consumed with fear, doubt, and life challenges like gender oppression. This, in addition to material culture has a way of suppressing the imagination and blocking us from the beauty or fun of nature. Terabithia is a metaphor for escape into nature.

I think that Jess and Leslie are both inexplicably connected with nature. The setting of this movie is rural. Jess is even called a farm boy. Yet, it is Leslie who taps into the possibilities and pure fun with the environment.

Leslie is a hero in this film because she manages the connection with nature and facilitates their experience in Terabithia. In our culture women are connected with nature. Leslie seems to have this gift. Her audacity, sense of adventure, imagination and leadership skills unlocks their fantasies and frees their minds into a space in nature, a wilderness that Leslie cultivates into something supernatural.

As they connect with each other and nature in Terabithia, they find power, love, and courage. Nature has an active role in their lives. It cultivates their friendship. Nature provides the learning place and actively facilitates adventure, running, and confrontation with their life challenges. In fact, their school bullies are villains in Terabithia, but in that space they are equipped with power to defeat them.

Eco feminism is based on the connections between masculinist social institutions and the destruction of the physical environment. The Bridge to Terabithia does not explore a negative relationship between women and the environment or oppresses nature. Instead, The Bridge to Terabithia represents the innocence, beauty, and adventure one could find while enjoying and appreciating nature. From an eco feminist perspective, Leslie is powerful because she initiates and energizes the fantasy of Terabithia. Her agency and initiative is a notable quality, feminists would admire. Jess is willing and receptive to the excitement he finds with Leslie in the environment, they work together to create their fantasy.

Perez, Nina. "Ecofeminism." Introduction to Women's Studies. University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL. 14 Apr. 2010. Lecture.
"Women and the Environment." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th Ed.New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 535-548.

Activism Log 7

Adam Green
Nina Perez
WST 3015

Activism
This week I finished emailing my assigned states' women's studies departments. It has not been the most exciting thing in the world for me to do. But, I have been passionate about this campaign. Emailing letters is just part of the work that must be done. I am pretty sure Alice Paul had some tedious days too. She was not emailing back then, but I am sure she was in the business of writing letters or communication to others for support. It is fundemental for this process. We cannot fight for a federal holiday in our small classroom in Central Florida.

Reflection
Suffrage for women has been a benefit for all of us. It has taught us to fight for access and human rights. Today, as we face current issues that are being endured by a marginalized people, like gay marriage rights or the mommy tax we have a successful history of activism to look back on. For example Crrttenden explains the cost of being a mother: "Working mothers not only earn less that men, but also less per hour than childless women even after such differences as education and experience are factored out"(Crittenden 340). Our society still finds unique ways to marginalize the experiences of women. This is why we must all continue to fight for women's equality. Alice Paul was the originator of the Equal Rights Amendment. Perhaps such a kind of legal protection could end the wage gap. Her efforts were momentous for that time. She never lived to see the ERA passed. It is still not a reality for America. Knowing our condition, however is the reason we must change. We must carry on the fight of Alice Paul, by never forgetting her legacy, and fighting for women's equality.
Reciprocity
I feel accomplished in a way. I kept hoping that my list of universities to email will shorten. It finally did. I have learned to gain strength from the legacy of Alice Paul. There is still so much unfinished business in the matters of freedom, equality, and liberation. I must reconsider the small prices I must pay, sacrifice, and struggle until we can all claim victory for the legacy of Alice Paul.

Works Cited

Crittenden, Ann. "The Mommy Tax. "Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th Ed.New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 337-345.

Personal Narrative Analysis

Adam-Scott Green
WST 3015
Nina Perez
April 5, 2010

Riverbend's Perspective

Riverbend is affected by the US declaration of war in Iraq after September 11, 2001. Her blog reveals a personal narrative, a unique first hand account of Iraqi culture and wartime life. I would classify Riverbend’s blog as feminist, personal, political, and educational.

In America, ideas about Iraqi people are usually negative and mythical. Our news sources sensationalize Iraqi life, glorifying the war. Narrating the truth through her own eyes, Riverbend humanizes, clarifies, and politicizes the voice of an Iraqi woman. Her blog is important because she is tragically living the effects of war, “including the killing of soldiers, the trauma of experiencing or witnessing destruction, torture or rap; physically injuries and disabilities and post-traumatic stress disorders, the chaos of every day life, with hunger and loss of home, family, and livelihood” (Kirk 504). Educating us, many of her posts are clear diary descriptions of these effects. She writes about the normalization of gunshots, loss of electricity, and the unfortunate lifestyle changes she is forced to endure because of the war.

As an example of feminist action in the Global Women’s Movement, Riverbend’s blog also “recognizes the ways in which the ideology of patriarchy constrains and diminishes the achievement of laudable goals and objectives and engages in the struggle to challenge it” (Antrobus 632). As an Iraqi woman, we can identify the constraints of patriarchy as the violence surrounding her called war. Not only is her blog a tragic diary, but because the “personal is political,” her blog challenges narrow Western minded thinking, false stereotypes, and oppressive politics. Particularly in her blog she provides an anti-war argument; she expresses her fury with her government’s decision to reform secular laws to traditional religious and oppressive values; and she engages in active discussion to break down false stereotypes. She is poised in a unique position to utilize personal expression to educate and change the world.

One of the purposes of RIverbend’s blog is to break down the distorted myths we have assumed about Iraqi people.

Generally speaking, the myths about Iraqi people usually include that they are wicked or religious fanatics, living oppressed in a corrupt government, and lacking modern education or sophistication. Americans imagine Iraqi life as far removed from “American” or humane values. In the same way, we have “other-ed” the Iraqi people as the enemy of our national sense of freedom. We imagine Iraqis as less civilized, and desperate for American salvation

For example, Riverbend gives a contrast to the “myth” about Iraqi people in her blog post on Monday, September 29, 2003. This post is a response to a New York Times article entitled, “Iraqi Family Ties Complicate American Efforts to Change.” This article, written by John Tierney is a prime example of America’s misunderstanding of the Iraqi people. Tierney poses a myth about Iraqi life, “stating that because Iraqis tend to marry cousins, they’ll be less likely to turn each other in to American forces for allsorts of reasons that all lead back to nepotism” (Riverbend). In other words, one of America’s most reputable news sources reports that Iraqi people are marrying their cousins and insists that this family dynamic is a risk to our national security. We continue to trivialize Iraqi culture in a Western context, distorting the truth to de-humanize and debase Iraqi people. Riverbend deconstructs this myth in her blogpost on September 29, 2003. She explains that “marrying cousins is out of style, and not very popular in Iraq, and that the definition of a cousin in many smaller Iraqi cities and provinces, dominated by 4 or 5 huge ‘tribes’ or ‘clans’ naturally includes anyone who is not an immediate family member.” Riverbend fills in the gaps of our assumptions and misguided myths of Iraqi family life by illustrating a context of the truth.

Her blog is a symbolic voice of truth among the many lies and myths about her culture.






Antrobus, Peggy. "The Global Women's Movement. Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th Ed.New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 629-636.
Riverbend. "Sheikhs and Tribes." Web log post. Baghdad Burning. Blogger, 29 September. 2003. Web. 4 Apr. 2010.
"Women and the Military, War, and Peace." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th Ed.New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 493-510.

Activism Log 6

Adam Green
Nina Perez
WST 3015

Activism
I have begun emailing letters to university women's studies programs. My process have been "googling" the university women's or gender studies department, finding a reputable contact email, and then cut and paste-ing the letter to the email after customizing it for each school and department chair. In other words, it is very tedious. It feels time-consuming, but I muster up a an easy pace and get the job done! In the meantime, I am learning about other women's studies programs. I did not realize the magnitude of scholarship in women's studies. I am hoping that the contacts at these universities will feel as passionate as we do about this campaign and join us. We are spreading the word.
Reflection
According to Seely, "to achieve true social, political, end economic equality for all women, we must have equal representation in the institutions that shape the face of our society. We need to have a place at the table of decision making" (Seely 94). Alice Paul paved the way to the door by fighting for the right to vote and women's equality. All people, men and women can vote, enter the room equally as citizens with rights in this country. Although women, are still fighting for spots at tables in politics, business, and even some families, we can not forget Alice Paul's sacrifice. Suffragists made it possible for women to share in the political process. This is a blessing to America and women, we should never regret.
Reciprocity
I think I can call myself a true activist now. I am in the middle of a letter and petition campaign. I like to think that my work is going to make a difference. I have high hopes for this project.

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

Activism Log 5

Adam Green
Nina Perez
WST 3015

Activism
This week we met with Nina and set deadlines for sending out letters. We are emailing the women's studies departments in different states. I am emailing universities in Massachusetts to Nevada and feminist organizations. We discussed the importance of our mission in this meeting. By campaigning for a Women's National Holiday, we are reclaiming a history of women that has been lost and ignored. We, Americans tend to re-write history to avoid remembering the gruesome struggle and trend of inequality toward minorities. I had never even heard about the suffrage movement or Alice Paul. Young girls and men need feminine heroes to admire and learn from. This holiday would be a national reminder to remember women's history. Alice Paul was a a fighter, advocate, and activist that stood on the frontline of women's liberation.
Reflection
I am finding activism to be an erotic of mine. Alice Paul's life was dedicated to activism and women's right. I would like to guess that her work in the feminist movement was an assertion of our life force. After being imprisoned, ostracized, and oppressed as a woman, something must have kept her fighting. I am sure that the fight for women's equality was her passion. I don't know what my niche is, but I know that the personal is political. "Recognizing the power of the erotic within our lives gives us he energy to pursue genuine change within our world rather than merely settling for a shift of characters in the same weary drama" (Lorde 164).
Reciprocity
I am excited and nervous about actually doing work, communicating with others about this project. I am learning political and activist strategies that I can take with me to any other activist project.
Lorde, Audre. "Radical Pleasure: "Uses of the Erotic." Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 161-64.

Vixen in the Kitche, Angel in the Attic

Adam-Scott Green
WST 3015
Nina Perez
March 17, 2010

A Mosaic of Women, A New Fabric for Female Representation in Media

The standard stereotype for women is to not take up space, have children, marry, and become domesticated. The women in Brothers and Sisters sustain and challenge oppresive stereotypes of women and motherhood. In fact, the women in this show present a diversity of gender roles and expectations. It shows the world that some women may fit gender stereotypes and still be powerful. Others may choose their place in the world by a defying gendered expectations.

I consider myself a member of the Walker family from Brothers and Sisters. I fell in love with this show because it is a realistic portrayal of American family life.

Episode 1 illsutrates the characterization of my cousins Tommy, Kitty, Sarah, Kevin and Justin, and their parents William and Norah Walker. This episode also illustrates women who exude power, femininity, agency, independence, and intelligence. For example, Norah Walker, the matriarch of the family is a traditional domesticated mother and wife. "Marriage is a great institution, if you like living in institutions" (Ettelbrick 317). She fits traditional gender roles, situated in the stereotypes of institutionalized marriage and family. She spends her time at home worrying and caring about her children and grandchildren. Blinded in love to William Walker, she is also the emotional core of that institution. A traditonal woman- she is illustrated cooking, cleaning, keeping up the house, and staying out of the family business her husband created. Her life is consumed by the institution of family and marriage. She is a stereotypical woman.

On the other hand, her daughter Sarah challenges traditional gender roles. Fusing the identities of mother, wife, and career woman, she is the breadwinner for her family. In the same way, she is imposed with the burden of the "mommy tax." Because she is a mother, "She is not the ideal worker that is free of all ties other than those to her job" (Crittenden 337). Making a decision to spend more time at home with her kids and husband, she quits a prestigous job that her MBA and business savy qualified her for; and pays her "mommy tax" by accepting a more comfortable, probably less lucrative position at the small family business. This shows the challenge corporate mothers face, the mommy tax is the financial and occupational costs she had to pay in the name of her duties as a mother. And yet, she is a woman that responds to ridcule with power, sits in her office with a keen eye for business and loves her children and family.

Her sister, Kitty, further breaks stereotypical gendering. She is a political analysist, working in a male dominated profession; and she is successful at it. Though she is not a mother, she is an alternative caregiver, a sister, a daughter, and an auntie. In this episode, she is unmarried and childless. She even choses a career move over an engagement to her lover. She definitely defies the expectations of women. I love her character the most because she is powerful, independent, and fearless. I keep up with the show and recently Kitty has married a senator, adopted a baby, battled cancer, and chosen to run for political office.

Brothers and Sisters shows women in powerful places within themselves, their homes, and their jobs. As it relates to a feminst discussion of women, this show illustrates the realities of women who fit the stereotypes and women that challenge them. I think feminism is about expanding the stereotypes and representations of women to a more realistic, non-oppressive idea of what a woman can do or be. This show does that, and I tune in to ABC every Sunday night to be entertained.

Crittenden, Ann. "The Mommy Tax. "Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th Ed.New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 337-345.
Ettelbrick, Paula. "Since When Is Marriage a Path to Liberation." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th Ed.New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 317-320.

Music Blog

Adam-Scott Green
Jeanine Perez
March 15, 2009
WST 3015

Violence goes 'round and 'round

There has got to be a nonviolent way for women to regain confidence, agency, and pride after suffering the pain of a man cheating on her. However, Carrie Underwood’s song, "Before He Cheats" paints a violent solution to dealing with “man problems.” She perpetuates the system of violence and abuse. Specifically, she is both a victim of his emotional abuse, cheating, (which I consider violence) and an attacker. The song glorifies violence. Under a guise of spiteful revenge, she injures his car, carves her name in the upholstery, damages the headlights, and deflates the tires. This is a form of economic and physical violence. I even think it’s illegal. According to the United Nations definition, “Violence inhibits human growth, negates inherent potential, limits productive living and causes death” (Kirk 258). The evidence is the demonstrable damage which could limit his productive living. Now he has to pay for car repairs. The thing about it is that emotions can never be priced. Her actions were not called for; they were irresponsible, childish, and illegal.
Also, I think it is important to note the overall tone of the song. Carrie brilliantly sings this song with emotions that echo rage, spite, anger, and force. At the moment of damaging his property, she reduces her emotional abuse to a psycho-enraged criminal persona. It’s amazing to note how much power this ex-lover has over her civility. Indeed, she is disempowered of any will of her own; every criminal decision in this song is a response to how he treated her. She allows her boyfriend’s cheating, this lousy man, and the system of patriarchy, where women are dominated by men, to send her on a violent spree. In the same way I feel that this song is damaging to the feminist movement. It perpetuates a masculine notion that women’s actions are secondary or controlled by a man. Definitely, this man has the ultimate power over her emotions and sense of self. It just rings with the oppressive motif: men control women’s behavior.
As the song implies, she wants him to think before the next time he cheats. I wonder if she will think after the next time a man mistreats her. Violence and implicating misery is not an avenue to rebuilding self-worth, dignity and respect. A more viable solution would be to reclaim a sense of self. Like Morales and any other victim of abuse, Carrie represents a woman who falls into the trap of victimhood. Morales explains the implications of victimhood: “The people who abused me consciously and deliberately manipulated me in an attempt to break down my sense of integrity so they could make me an accomplice to my own torture and that of others” (Morales 283). Obviously Carrie was hurt by what this man did to her; she became a victim in every sense of the word. Morales further states that “victimhood allows us to stay small and wounded instead of spacious, powerful and whole.” I think a better solution for Carrie would be to leave victimhood behind and re-create her dignity, agency, and power as a positive, law abiding citizen. However, she continues the cycle of violence, moving from victim to attacker, instead of breaking that dichotomy altogether.

Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. "Violence Against Women." Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 258-58. Print.
Morales, Aurora. “Radical Pleasure(1998) Sex and the End of Victimhood.” Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. 283-84. Print.