Abomination In The Classroom

In “Why Boys Don’t Play With Dolls,” Pollitt writes about the differences between growing up as a boy growing up as a girl. She brings up the stereotypes that society naturally creates between genders in early ages, which leads to the lifestyle and path that boys and girls are raised in. Parents and feminist alike play a big part in establishing these sex roles. They raise their kids wanting them to be successful at what they are expected to be good at based on their gender and the trend that has been set before them.

The adults in the story expect the children to grow into the gender role that their sex has assigned to them. This is seen in several places throughout the story, such as when the narrator hears her mother

When having a child you are so excited to see if you are having a boy or a girl, well not in this case. The mother Helen and father John do not even have an idea of the gender of the baby so the resort to calling the baby it. “ And it looks just like me. It has my hair.”

She is able to make a very strong and efficient point with her logic and reason. She explains that if “we’re all just people,” or “we’re all equal,” or “it doesn’t matter what your religion is,” or “I don’t see race;” who cares about anything else if “we’re all American citizens?” If that should be true, why were so many people upset with Kathy Witterick and David Stocker’s decision? In today’s society, we claim freedom of choice, but often get ridiculed when making that choice. Williams notes we are not supposed to see difference based on gender, race, ethnicity, or religion. So logically, as a society we shouldn’t be bothered by such things. Again, then why were so many people upset about the family’s decision? Williams states our eagerness to assign gender is about personal satisfaction, so that we may run out and buy blue instead of pink or dolls rather than trucks. We have a need and desire to do this without a second thought, Williams explains the need to assign gender is to keep order in the world. Williams explains that gender is a social response embedded in our culture. When someone comes along who identifies as transgender the response is overwhelming. Williams argues that the overwhelming negative response to the parents of little baby Storm shows a tension in our culture. Williams then suggests “we should bring less panic to that moment of liminality and instead hold ourselves open to

What does it mean to be a woman or man? Whether we a man or a woman, in today’s society it is not determined just by our sex organs. Our gender includes a complex mix of beliefs, behaviors, and characteristics. How do you act, talk, and behave like a woman or man? Are you feminine or masculine, both, or neither? These are questions that help us get to the core of our gender and gender identity. Gender identity is how we feel about and express our gender and gender roles: clothing, behavior, and personal appearance. It is a feeling that we have as early as age two or three. In the article, “Becoming Members of Society: Learning the Social Meaning of Gender,” the author, Aaron Devor, is trying to persuade his readers that gender shapes how we behave because of the expectation from us and relate to one another. He does this by using an educational approach, describing gender stereotypes, and making cultural references. He gets readers to reflect on how “Children’s developing concepts of themselves as individuals are necessarily bound up …to understand the expectations of the society which they are a part of” (389). Growing up, from being a child to an adult is where most of us try to find ourselves. We tend to struggle during this transition period, people around us tell us what to be and not to be, Jamaica Kincaidt in her short story, “Girl” tells just that, the setting is presented as a set of life instructions to a girl by her mother to live properly. The mother soberly

As I walked into the University Student Center after my Issues in Public Policy class one August day, a disturbing sight immediately struck me. For a moment I thought I needed to pinch myself because I felt as though I was having a horrible nightmare. Then, I thought that maybe I needed to check my calendar to make sure that I had not traveled back in time to the sixties when segregation was still an accepted practice in the United States. Much to my dismay, I was not dreaming, and it was still in the year 2000. As I continued to look around at my fellow students, my stomach churned, and it was not because I was hungry. The sight that lay before my eyes was not only very disturbing but also

The presidential election of Barak Obama has led many to believe that we live in a post-racial society. If an African-American candidate has been elected in a predominantly white nation, this must signify that the U.S. does not have barriers that hinder African-Americans and other people of color from accessing opportunities or that we live in a color-blind society – in which race is not an issue. However, public perception on police profiling and the fairness of our justice system, public support for Donald Trump’s discriminatory ideologies, and racist actions by fraternities at universities illustrate the prevalence and continuity of racism in the U.S. Thus, to address the way in which racism plagues our society, it is important for political leaders and the media to educate believers of a color-blind society that racial discrimination is an issue which needs to properly be addressed for the well-being of all member of society.

The demands of the American people being met demonstrates the great democracy and progressiveness that many people want to be a part of. However, each group thus far that has chosen to fight for their rights in America, has initially gone through a struggle, in which hope was kept alive only by the strongest of believers. The recognition of these group’s importance and worthiness has especially been important to the people who faced discrimination all of their lives, or fought to death for change. Recognition of their values, beliefs, and traditions by the law, meant greater acceptance from the majority they were, -and still are-, a part of. Once African Americans paved the way beginning in 1865, women and the LGBT community followed suit to

She ran up to me, arms flailing at her sides. Her face was streaked with tears. She tripped and tumbled as her six-years-old feet raced towards me. The little girl collapsed into my arms, her tears slowing down. She doesn’t need to be asked, for she tells me immediately: “They think Donald Trump will hurt me!” I glare at the sneering boys, then look down at her dark, pretty face. Discrimination is a terrible flaw in American society. Although those who are discriminated against are victims of bias, a small portion of people learn to see through the lies and acknowledge the wrong, as presented in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise.” Ms. Angelou tackles the issues explicitly, while Scout

What particularly resonated with me about Leslie Williams’ speech was the discussion about uncomfortable conversations about privilege and recognizing our own biases. By describing her personal experiences, Leslie Williams emphasized that students of color, LGBTQIA+ students, disabled students, and others often feel uncomfortable and isolated because of their identities. Although many students feel uncomfortable speaking about these topics, admitting that we are privileged, and recognizing that we grow up with different biases, other students feel this discomfort every day and aren’t able to escape it after Day of Dialogue ends. Although I often feel uncomfortable admitting my own privilege, I think it is important to acknowledge that some of us have the privilege to avoid these awkward conversations when they make us uncomfortable while other students have to live with this discomfort every day. Avoiding these conversations not only limits our capacity for change, but also our own understanding of how our identities are shaped by society. Though uncomfortable, these are necessary conversations that push us to reflect on our own experiences, admit our own biases, and have effective conversations in order to create more equality on campus.

The LGBTQ community are living a life in danger in America. Regardless of the acceptance of same-sex marriage, there are a number problems the LGBTQ community have to face, like the many obstacles to acceptance and equality. In The New York Times article, “The Challenges That Remain for L.G.B.T. People After Marriage Ruling” by Liam Stack, he starts by building his validity with commendable points and reliable sources, quoting to persuading points and information, and effectively utilizing emotional appeals to persuade readers that the LGBTQ community are in danger. Stack sets about his work of persuading readers that was going on in the world is not acceptable by presenting strong logical and ethical appeals. In his writing he points out that

One gender stereotype that affects women is that women’s opinions are not as important as men’s opinions. The effect of this stereotype is that men tend to belittle women’s opinions and disregard them. Susan Glaspell shows an example of gender discrimination when the neighbor, Mr. Hale, is being interviewed by the county attorney about how he discovered how Mr. Wright was hanged. At the beginning of the story, Mr. Hale speaks with the county attorney and gives a testimony of how he discovered the death. He explains that he went to Mr. Wright’s home to talk about installing a new telephone line and casually says how Mr. Wright does not care about his wife’s opinions. The gender stereotype is shown in “I said at the same time that I didn’t know as what his wife wanted made difference to John-” (Glaspell, 78). Mr. Hale’s statement reveals the gender stereotype because it shows how Mrs. Wright’s opinions are not important to her husband when Mr. Hale says “I didn’t know as what his wife wanted made much difference to John-.” This reveals that Mr. Wright does not care about Mrs. Wright’s opinion and how he belittles and disregards her ideas. This makes Mrs. Wright feel sad since she can not have what she desires. The same gender

During my time as an undergraduate, I majored in philosophy but intentionally selected courses that would further my knowledge on my range of interests in social justice and law. As I started to engage and learn about theories of intersectionality, social and structural inequalities and constructs, I grew angry at the world we have created for ourselves to live in. I understood that the injustices imposed on people at the dangerous intersections of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, race, and ability are frequent and widespread. The oppressive forces that have allowed for the creation of such injustices have not only routinely excluded and silenced the voices of many groups of people, but have destroyed countless lives.

The subject of religion in public schools is one that has been debated vigorously and passionately. The warriors from the Right and Left fail to appreciate the facts because they are caught up in the rhetoric and have difficulty viewing this emotional topic dispassionately (Haynes, 2011). Both sides are right about one thing: this is an important subject.