Sunday, December 22, 2013
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Monday, November 11, 2013
Saturday, October 12, 2013
N-Identities: The Nitty-Gritty Truth of It.
Hello everyone!
Before I being, I think I should warn you that this blog post is one that is very.... personal. I wasn't sure if I should write about it because it is a very 'touchy' subject for me, but life is about risks, and specifically, this class is about diving into the unknown and dissecting our social construction, sooooooo, here goes nothing!
This post is about the N-Identities defined by James Gee in the article we all know and love. Everyone has MULTIPLE N-Identities that shape them into who they are today, but one of my N-Identities is one that I'm not very happy to have: my whole family is big--immediate and extended--as am I. Whether you see this N-Identity as Genetic or personal choice.... well that is your opinion, but I see it as a genetic beginning. I really don't know how to talk about this sort of topic in such a public way, but due to my overall appearance, my N-Identity and its repercussions are very public.
Some N-Identities will follow you your whole life, as my chosen N-Identity does, but the most important thing I can say from this is that your N-Identity DOES NOT make you a stereotype or a statistic unless you let it. I am a very outgoing and confident person--yes I have my down days where I hate the world almost as much as I hate myself, but everyone has those days--but I REFUSE to let one characteristic in my whole scheme of who I am define me as a person. Though my size may be a glaring factor in who I am, it isn't all of who I am. It pains me when people who are overweight cower in the presence of thinner people: in a quote I once heard, it is said that "Hating people who are fat is the last acceptable prejudiced." Here is where I start to get all fired up: in a world that (or more specific) in a country where Equality is expected and preached, punishing those who show prejudice against others, how can this statement STILL hold truth?! Every day, you will hear a "your mamas so fat" joke, but God-forbid someone make a racist joke: BOTH are horrible and should be nonexistent in our world today. It is a lack of remorse for "fat-hating" that keeps people like me down, afraid to speak up and show there is more to them than their bodies.
Now, I realize that not all prejudices are equal--I would never even imagine using the "N" word as commonly as people use the slur "fat"--but both cut down and humiliate the person being targeted. I, on the other hand, refuse to be held down by this prejudice and I strive to rise above it, proving all who have assumptions about me wrong. I take pride in making myself look presentable, taking time to make sure my outfit matches and looks professional and stylish, and having an upbeat and confident attitude every day of my life. People like me need to wake up and realize that this N-Identity with its flaws and stereotypes and prejudices do not need to hold you down and affect who you are!!! Go against the grain and do something that YOU like to do; stand up for yourself and hold your head high; defy the assumptions and make those who judge you regret their idiotic theories. All prejudices are bad prejudices, but not all repercussions have to be oppression: stand up--no matter what your stereotype is-- and love who you are.
Now that I have gotten off my soap-box and made my point clear, tell me what YOU think: does it seem as though "fat-bashing" is the only acceptable prejudice left: do you think that one day, this can be stopped? And further more, WHY does the world think this particular prejudice is still acceptable: are we taught to accept this hate from a young age? Can it be reversed and viewed in the way I view it? And finally, do you feel as though some of your N-Identities hold you down and have changed how you view yourself and your self worth?
Thanks for your time, and as I said, this was kind of hard for me to write, so please take time think about what I'm saying: if you feel the way others do about this type of hate, maybe try and rethink your opposition. We aren't all bad, I promise :)
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Communities of Practice.
Hello everyone!
For my topic, I will be focusing on a certain "Community of Practice," the Christian faith.
I was very surprised at a lot of the comments in class and how so many people felt as though the Church (specifically Christianity based) was a place of hierarchy and forced obedience. I know that not everyone feels this way, but it truly blew my mind that so many people had such awful experiences.
I have always been surrounded in Christianity-- a Community of Practice. My friends are Christian, my parents are Christian, my extended family is Christian, and my teachers were Christian. To me, I've lived in such a strong and happy Community of Practice through the church and through fellow Christians, I have never experienced a disconnect from Christ. I know for a fact that it is not a blind following for me: I have researched and looked at my faith from different standpoints, and my opinions have not changed. This is who I want to be, it has been my choice, and it is what I am sticking with forever.
What pertains to the idea of something I mentioned in class is that with groups that are such strong Communities of Practice, those on the outside looking in may feel as though the membership is very off-putting and hard to break into or feel accepted in. Though I can see how that could be a very big problem in groups of Christians, I do believe that it often comes down as "one part has been bad, so clearly, so is the whole." It really makes me very sad to know that so many people have had these experiences, and it has turned them off and away from the idea of Christianity.
I found an article by Rachel Held Evans for CNN, talking specifically about our general age group of our class (classified as the Millennials) and how Christianity is a dying "fad" among our age group. She says that many people view Christians these days as: "...too political, too exclusive, old-fashioned, unconcerned with social justice and hostile to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people."
This idea seems to be very common with many non-Christians, and it makes me wonder, "Why?!" Am I truly living in my own world, and have had the best of the Christian experiences, or are others on the outside viewing our Community of Practice as showcased in the quote above? I want to stress again that just because one part may have been off, that doesn't mean the whole experience is something bad.
I know this is a very controversial topic to bring up, and I know that many people have very different views from me. I truly hope no one was offended, and if I have offended you, I am very sorry. I will always stand up for my faith, even if that means harsh scrutiny. I am curious to see what your opinions are on this topic as well: am I the rare 1%, do you feel that Christianity is just a dying fad, and what do you think could be changed to make Christianity a good thing in your eyes?
Thanks so much!
-India Anne
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Think in Pink!
Hi everyone!
For my first blog post I want to dive into one of the big topics we have started to focus on in class: gender stereotypes for women. Clearly, we know that Dr. Crafton wants us to break through the glass ceiling and fight for our rights, which I agree with, but in all actuality, I don't find it as unbelievably unnerving to fit into and agree with many of the female stereotypes. "Are you CRAZY?!" you ask: no, I just believe that in some ways, these "hated" stereotypes aren't that bad after all. Let me explain myself....
After reading Dr. Crafton's book chapter, I must say I found a lot about not only Dr. Crafton, but also about myself. Though she was always looking for the female heroine in every story, tearing down the walls of sexism and flaunting feminism, I have always seemed to look towards the homemakers, the girly-girls, and the debutantes. For example, my favorite cassette back in the day was one called "THINK PINK" sung by Barbie: I was obsessed with the songs, with the words, and also, with Barbie. My motto-- since I first listened to that song-- seems to stay true to the title, Think Pink. Is it wrong for me to think this way, or is it-- dare I say-- the typical "girl" way of thinking?
In another relatable motto, there is a phrase by Audrey Hepburn that I have ingrained in my memory and encompasses all I feel strongly about. I feel as though it speaks to me as a girl. It says:
I am all for being strong and standing up for myself, but I also whole-heartedly believe in loving pink, feeling pretty, and being feminine: it's just the way I am. I truly don't believe that it was ever forced on me to feel this way, it just happened to be something I picked up on and liked very much. Now, with saying that, I also have a totally different side to me as well: I love to fish, I love to 4-Wheel, and I am totally NOT afraid of worms or frogs! I love that I am complex and diverse, but I also love the part of me that likes girly things. I truly do enjoy cooking and cleaning, taking on motherly responsibilities, and though I am not married yet, I know that I will also enjoy taking care of and catering to my husband. Do I see this as oppression and detrimental to rights as a woman? Absolutely not! I think that it is just as right to embrace my womanly stereotypes as much as it is right to live outside the stereotype-specific box.
In conclusion, I am glad I am the way I am. I owe it to my parents who let me be me: I make the choices I want and live the life I like. It's just as liberating to feel girly as it is to break free from it. Does any one else feel as though they too are the typical girl, with a little pizzazz add on?
"There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful than a woman being unapologetically herself; comfortable in her perfect imperfection. To me, that is the true essence of beauty."
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)