PERSPECTIVES ON GENDER, HEALTH, AND HUMAN RIGHTS
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human rights & breaking Gender "dominance"

1/26/2020

9 Comments

 
Prompt #1: How is one's gender identity as self-defined, a health and human rights issue?  Reflect on this in journal submission this week and cite at least one specific sources as evidence. 

Gender identity is self-defined, it gives each person an opportunity to choose how they want to identify themselves to the public. While this sounds rather easy for one to go about, unfortunately it is not. Gender-identity has become more socially accepted in the greater Seattle area within the last four years than I have ever seen in my own hometown just on the other side of the state. Since I began going to school at UWB, the topic of gender-identity and the efforts being made to be more gender inclusive, both locally and nationally, is something noteworthy.

Unfortunately, the movement to become more gender inclusive and accepting of others has become a serious and dangerous health and human rights issue. According to Human Rights Watch, an organization committed to fighting the abuse of one’s human rights, stated that “In other countries, vaguely worded and sweeping laws against ‘public scandals’ or ‘indecent behavior’ are used to penalize people whose only crime is looking, dressing, or behaving differently from rigidly enforced social norms” (Human Rights Watch, 2005). People’s rights are being violated solely because of how they identify themselves. Someone who expresses their true self in a manner that isn’t a “norm” in their own society can quickly become a victim of violence, abuse, and without protection from local law enforcement. This MUST change. We must acknowledge that regardless of one’s identity, race, religion, gender, etc., that ALL people should respect one’s basic human rights.

Prompt #2: Consider how you might describe yourself in relation to the term "feminist." Do you consider yourself one? Explain. What experiences have you had that have shaped your views on feminism?
 
If I had to describe myself in relation to the term “feminist” I would say that I have one foot in and one foot out. I agree and support many of the women’s issues that feminists are trying to solve. I think it is important to have a “global sisterhood” between women around the world, while also leaving room for different beliefs, religions, etc. I wouldn’t consider myself a feminist, but I also wouldn’t say I am not one at all, I think I am in the middle ground.

Going to high school in a small town really opened my eyes to how small minded a community can be. The norm was pretty much “men work on the farm, and women take care of the house and kids”. Once I started attending UWB, and learning about women’s rights (human rights) and this ongoing oppression of women that’s been happening for centuries, it sparked a fire in me that made me want to learn more about feminism and how we can work together to break the stigma that men and women can’t be equal too. My goal is to relay this positive message to community members in my hometown and the surrounding communities. From the readings, Patricia Voloy’s comment from Everyday Feminisms resonated with me, “For my feminism to have an impact, I must fight the countries that put up the borders; otherwise there will never be an end to systemic oppression” (Voloy 2015). I think her message is important, and also something that all feminists are striving to achieve.


References:
Human Rights Watch (March 10, 2005). Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: Human Rights Concerns for the 61st Session of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights. Retrieved at
https://www.hrw.org/news/2005/03/10/sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-human-rights-concerns-61st-session-un#
​

(Patricia Valoy (Links to an external site.), 2015)

​Written By: Allie Boyer
9 Comments
Jordan Tomas
1/26/2020 08:15:25 pm

Hi Allie!

I appreciate your post. It is unfortunate that identifying our gender nowadays has led to heated arguments and even going as creating violence. It is an unfortunate situation. It is important that we advocate and educate others on gender identity and how to converse with others who identity as the opposite of what they look like physically.

I am also intrigued on you saying you have one foot in and one foot out in regards to feminism. I am curious as why you have that other foot out? I think there are both sides to the discussion when it comes to feminism so I would like to hear your rationale.

Reply
Savannah Compton
1/26/2020 08:41:13 pm

Hello Allie,

It is true that over the years the Seattle area has become more accepting then other places. I definitely agree with that there needs to be a change. No one should get punished for how they identify their gender. Even though someone doesn’t agree with us and it isn’t the norm of their society they are used to doesn’t mean they have to have hate towards them of violence, abuse and verbal abuse.

Growing up I also lived in a small community where they believed the same norm as you mentioned! I like the quote you included and also that you stated your goal in relaying the message to the communities.

Reply
Malinda Phommachack
1/26/2020 09:02:14 pm

Hey Allie!

I enjoyed reading your post and just wanted to say that I'm the same way about the term "feminist". I truly believe the meaning of feminist and the matter of sisterhood between all women, as well as being equal to men and squishing the social stigma relating to it. However, I guess my meaning to "one food out" would be that I'm not radical about it, nor am I preaching it. I agree and believe what being feminist is all about, however it's not in my everyday life nor am I thinking of it consistently. I can see that coming from a small town, you don't really see these types of changes happen and/or its not present, but I like how you've made a plan that might help advance your community and push towards equality for all genders. Growing in the Seattle area, what I see here is normal to me, where as if I go to smaller areas, the dynamic is different and to be able to hear your plan of action helps that we can one day all be on the same page. I also liked what you mentioned about Patricia Voloy’s comment from Everyday Feminisms, it gives a powerful yet encouraging message.

Reply
Wes Nakour
1/26/2020 10:55:01 pm

Hello Alie,

Thank you for sharing your views and how you are driven to make a change to the perception of feminism not only back in your hometown but wherever you go. I think it is very powerful to have experienced this first hand and saw how small minded people were to think that men should do all the work and women are responsible of taking care of the house and kids. As a guy myself, I completely agree with your view, there should be an end to this feminist stereotype. Women can do anything men can, and it is proven across the board in every profession and every sport/athletic ability. Even when it comes to coaching, for example Jen Welter had become the first NFL coach for the Arizona Cardinals in 2015, followed by Katie Sowers who is the first female coach to lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl this year! The way she landed her position was driven by her passion which other coaches saw and that was what ultimately gave her the opportunity and is actively proving critics wrong. It's great to see that you are passionate about women's rights because passion will open doors to success and create a path for others to follow.

Reply
Kathy Luangrath
1/26/2020 11:17:32 pm

Hi Allie! I really enjoyed reading your blog post! I especially liked your response to prompt #1. I would agree that gender-identity has become much more socially accepted around the Seattle area. I also come from a small town about an hour away from Seattle which has made many great strides into become much more gender inclusive. But as you mentioned the movement into accepting gender-identity and gender inclusive has become very pressing and dangerous around the world. When you mentioned that, I was reminded of the series of attacks to and acts of violence that changed the course of our society. That said, I too, agree that we must take action on such violence and abuse no matter one's identity, race, religion, and so on.

I also really enjoyed reading your response to prompt #2. I would agree that I am one foot in and one foot out in relation to the term "feminist." I truly admire your desire to spread the message of how women and men can be equal to your community.

Reply
Christine Nguyen
2/4/2020 03:46:39 pm

Hello Alie,
Thank you for sharing! I understand there should be an end to this feminist stereotypes. Women are just as powerful and capable of anything a man can do and there shouldn't be any regulations or restrictions that would avoid them from accomplishing their dreams.

Reply
Aliyah Sop
3/10/2020 01:01:14 pm

Hi Allie,

Thank you for sharing. Your first couple of sentences are really powerful. I wholeheartedly agree that gender identity is self-defined, it gives each person an opportunity to choose how they want to identify themselves to the public. You are absolutely right, while this concept seems and sounds rather easy for one to go about, unfortunately it is not. I think that we as a society still have so much more work to do to ensure that gender identity and gender expression of any kind is tolerated, and even better, encouraged and celebrated.

Reply
Mariam Elias
3/11/2020 01:16:12 am

Hello Allie,

\I like how you defined gender identity as self-defined since people get to chose how they want to introduce themselves to the world. I also like how you defined yourself as a feminist who is ready to fight for her rights and wanted to change how people look at women as just mothers or housewives who are their only job is the house and the kids. Women should be treated equally with men in the society. But I guess it's the world we live in.

Reply
Justice
3/14/2020 05:29:55 pm

Hi Allie,

I love that your goal is to change social norms in your hometown! It is not easy to convince people to change their way of thinking. Encouraging people to be more open-minded and accepting of other people is important work. Keep it up!

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