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

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."

-Steve MaraboliThanks!-India Anne