Saturday, February 6, 2010
Service Learning
I also plan on helping Kathryn with her zine, if she needs any help.
Ferree and Tripp
I was curious what globalization was before I started reading and my query was answered on page 9. “Globalization is made concretely meaningful by seeing it as a process that increases the importance and level of integration of transnational political structures.”
Through my other feminist courses I learned a lot about mapping my social location and the intersectionality of oppressions. On page 10 it gives a view of the intersectionality of social movements as “characterizing them and shapes how they position themselves in the transnational arena in which they operate. Intersectionality means privilege and oppression, and movements to defend and combat these relations, are not in fact singular… these multiple social locations re often—not, as is often assumed, atypically—contradictory. Organizations as well as individuals hold multiple positions in regard to social relations of power and injustice, and typically enjoy privilege on some dimensions even while they struggle with oppression on another.” It is interesting to me how we can constantly be privileged and oppressed simultaneously. How do you think this type of contradiction affects you in your everyday life?
SLP - NOW
I've already made a list of people to contact both to speak at the event, perform at the event or just to table there. I've made the preliminary outline for how the night's events will occur. There is still some fine tuning to be done to that but it will fall into place once all speakers and such are confirmed.
I still need to finalize everything that needs to be done and make a very detailed list of things to do. that's what I'll be doing this week in order to organize myself and everyone else who wants to help out with the project. Here's to another successful TBTN!
Friday, February 5, 2010
SLP-VOX
Service Learning Post 1 - Animal Safehouse
Animal Safehouse had their first meeting last week which I attended, and all of the semester goals were compiled in a list. Finding foster families for 8 currently unhoused animals, creating t-shirts, and increasing publicity are only a few of the items of concern.
Week 4 - Ferree & Tripp, 1-77
Emily Vrotsos
Jackie Mallan-King
WST 4415
5 February 2010
I really enjoyed this week’s reading because it discussed the feminist movement as something that is continuously evolving. It is a constant pendulum made up of causes and effects. In her “Globalization and Feminism” chapter, Ferree says “the global women’s movement evolved in this environment” (Ferree 39).
I found it refreshing to learn about how the change during the 20th century drew to a close can be marked by so many views within the feminist movement all around the world. The popular slogan about how the women’s rights were essentially human rights came as a bit of a cultural shock in some areas, even the United States. In 1993, I was only three years old, and I cannot imagine growing up in a time where my rights as a woman were not considered the equivalent of human rights. While we are not entirely equal to men in regards to wages and other aspects under United States law, most people tend to treat women as the equal of men in everyday life, and I cannot imagine existing in a time where that was rarely the case.
This reading was definitely intriguing because it assessed the end of the 20th century under many different circumstances: the redirection and broadening of economic change, human rights, etc. It is also summed up in the conclusion of the “Unlikely Godmother” chapter that “despite differences among areas, countries, and regions, a global women’s movement does exist” (Ferree 49). This is hugely heartening because it suggests that though there are countless differences and variances among races, religions, biological sex, and psychological gender, there is still the common ground of our humanity. Listed in this same conclusion, it is mentioned that the global feminist movement is strongest in the southern hemisphere.
It is important to look at these changes that are being attempted as a revolution, as well as a movement. A revolution insists that it is a complete demolition of the previous system and replacing that inferior system with a more efficient, more fair arrangement and order. While it is ideal, it may not be possible for many generations, if changes are made within all of our communities, actions on the micro and meso levels will gradually affect and change the macro and global levels.
We have already begun to see this effect take place, in light of the example of giving women access and exercise to their right to vote. That was simply a transnational movement, as “The Evolution of Transnational Feminisms” states (Ferree 56). It was mainly a movement taking place in Europe and North America, but was closely followed by similar and nearly identical movements in other countries all over the world (Ferree 57). It often begins that way for many other changes of the system via the feminist movement; they often begin in one section of the world, and are closely followed by movements and revolutions all over the world, whether or not the former movements were successful.
1) Do you believe that it is possible to separate the global and macro levels from the micro and meso levels? Why or why not?
Service Learning Update-VOX
On Wednesday February 3rd I started my volunteer hours. I was at the VOX table in front of the student union from noon until 2pm. I helped hand out condoms and give out informational pamphlets and helped answered any questions that students had.
Next week is National Condom Week because it is the week leading up to Valentines Day. VOX is planning on having a table in front of the student union a few extra days other than Wednesday. I plan on volunteering again this coming week to help raise consciousness about safe sex practices.