Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Killing two birds with one stone?
http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2011/02/04/new-bill-will-let-doctors-refuse-to-save-the-lives-of-pregnant-women/
I chose this blog because it irritated me and frustrated me with the healthcare system, even more so then I already was. I am studying to eventually go into med school, and as a scientist from a purely factual manner, this new bill is absolutely ridiculous. To think that in America, we have to right to emergency care with or without insurance in a life or death situation is clearly NOT the right assumption. This "Protect Life Act" states that point in black and white. "The Act allows doctors to refuse necessary care to a pregnant woman if that care will kill the fetus."
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? There have been so many cases in our society where emergency abortion has been necessary to save the life of the mother. Think about it, say a mother has three kids at home and is having her fourth and has a life-threatening condition. The doctor's would rather allow for the mother to die then to save her life for her to be home with the other children. In reality, the doctor is committing crimes well past the realm of just malpractice and poor sense of judgement. The doctor is allowing NOT one, but TWO deaths to occur, the death of the fetus AND the death of the woman. Not to mention, the code of conduct that doctors take after leaving medical school. To allow religious beliefs into federal government not only disproves that America is a country where all religious beliefs are equal, but blatantly is a serious breech in the constitution where "church and state is kept separate". Doctors really need to start working with their hearts and brains, instead of with dollar signs. Sheesh, hopefully drug therapy and genetic advancements move a little quicker, otherwise people are just going to be left out high and dry to die.
-Kayleigh Jones
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Beauty & Representation: Dove's Commercial
-Ali Wondoloski
Is this new Dove commercial promoting their idea of a "strong, beautiful women"? Go to this website and watch the 30 second commercial and see for your self. For me, I think they see the ideal beauty in women as tall, skinny, brunette. They show many women in the commercial, but only one of them is a darker skinned women. That doesn't represent Dove as a company that believes in beauty in everyone, does it?! Also they are saying "where beautiful girls find strength" in the tag line. Only beautiful girls can be strong? This is a deodorant commercial of all things! Armpits-all women have them and in my opinion not the most beautiful part on ANY women.
http://bitchmagazine.org/post/mad-world-dove-deodorant-is-just-for-pretty-babies
Is this new Dove commercial promoting their idea of a "strong, beautiful women"? Go to this website and watch the 30 second commercial and see for your self. For me, I think they see the ideal beauty in women as tall, skinny, brunette. They show many women in the commercial, but only one of them is a darker skinned women. That doesn't represent Dove as a company that believes in beauty in everyone, does it?! Also they are saying "where beautiful girls find strength" in the tag line. Only beautiful girls can be strong? This is a deodorant commercial of all things! Armpits-all women have them and in my opinion not the most beautiful part on ANY women.
http://bitchmagazine.org/post/mad-world-dove-deodorant-is-just-for-pretty-babies
Study reveals gender pay gap in new doctors
http://feministing.com/2011/02/04/study-reveals-gender-pay-gap-in-new-doctors/comment-page-1/#comment-342142
I chose this blog, "Study reveals gender pay gap in new doctors," because it stood out to me and I found it very interesting. It stated that the pay gap in men vs. women is widening, especially among new doctors. As of now, the gap is $17,000 and this seems rediculous to me. A woman can be just as good of a doctor as a man can so I don't understand why they need to receive so much less for the work they do. The blog suggested that the pay gap could be attributed to indirect things, such as a women's desire to work less and for her job to be family friendly and the fact that men can negotiate their salary better than women can. Although this things are indirect, they are still a result of sexism. For example, of course women perfer a more family friendly work environment, because they are expected to be the primary caretaker of the household, so it is extremely difficult to work long hours or inconvient shifts and care for their family at the same time. Also, women are probably not as good at negotiating as men because women have always been led to believe that their male counterparts are superior to them and that their voice doesn't matter as much as men's so obviously it will be harder for them to have the courage to ask for a higher salary then it is for men. I was disappointed to see that the pay gap is widening instead of becoming smaller, but I hope this changes because I believe women deserve the same pay as men if they are doing the same exact job as them.
Kristie Weiss
I chose this blog, "Study reveals gender pay gap in new doctors," because it stood out to me and I found it very interesting. It stated that the pay gap in men vs. women is widening, especially among new doctors. As of now, the gap is $17,000 and this seems rediculous to me. A woman can be just as good of a doctor as a man can so I don't understand why they need to receive so much less for the work they do. The blog suggested that the pay gap could be attributed to indirect things, such as a women's desire to work less and for her job to be family friendly and the fact that men can negotiate their salary better than women can. Although this things are indirect, they are still a result of sexism. For example, of course women perfer a more family friendly work environment, because they are expected to be the primary caretaker of the household, so it is extremely difficult to work long hours or inconvient shifts and care for their family at the same time. Also, women are probably not as good at negotiating as men because women have always been led to believe that their male counterparts are superior to them and that their voice doesn't matter as much as men's so obviously it will be harder for them to have the courage to ask for a higher salary then it is for men. I was disappointed to see that the pay gap is widening instead of becoming smaller, but I hope this changes because I believe women deserve the same pay as men if they are doing the same exact job as them.
Kristie Weiss
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
The Character of a City
http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2011/01/23/the-character-of-a-city/#comment-348651
I chose this blog in reference to the racism and classism we have been discussing in class. This blog talks about the racism and classism that is still seen today in Australia. It opened my eyes to the fact that racism and classism are world wide issues and they do not solely occur in the United States. I feel like there is a big push within our society to speak of racism and classism two-sidedly, which is great. However, I feel by focusing only on our own countries racist and classist habits is a biased notion in itself. So while we are aiming to not discriminate within our own country, we are discriminating against other countries.
The one thing that stood out to me in this article was the talk about Australian day.
"For me, personally, the hardest time for living in this country is 26 January. Australia Day is the anniversary of the First Fleet’s arrival: the beginnings of the colony of New South Wales. Australia Day is known also as Invasion Day. It’s a day on which it’s popular to dress up in clothes with Australian flags on them, and to use Australian flags as capes. I am scared to go outside on 26 January because I know that racist feeling is running high (‘we grew here, you flew here’)."
The statement that I highlighted really stood out to me because it made it real to me that racism is in fact bigger than the United States....it is everywhere.
-Sadie Little
I chose this blog in reference to the racism and classism we have been discussing in class. This blog talks about the racism and classism that is still seen today in Australia. It opened my eyes to the fact that racism and classism are world wide issues and they do not solely occur in the United States. I feel like there is a big push within our society to speak of racism and classism two-sidedly, which is great. However, I feel by focusing only on our own countries racist and classist habits is a biased notion in itself. So while we are aiming to not discriminate within our own country, we are discriminating against other countries.
The one thing that stood out to me in this article was the talk about Australian day.
"For me, personally, the hardest time for living in this country is 26 January. Australia Day is the anniversary of the First Fleet’s arrival: the beginnings of the colony of New South Wales. Australia Day is known also as Invasion Day. It’s a day on which it’s popular to dress up in clothes with Australian flags on them, and to use Australian flags as capes. I am scared to go outside on 26 January because I know that racist feeling is running high (‘we grew here, you flew here’)."
The statement that I highlighted really stood out to me because it made it real to me that racism is in fact bigger than the United States....it is everywhere.
-Sadie Little
The smaller the body, the bigger the paycheck
http://feministing.com/2011/01/31/the-smaller-the-body-size-the-bigger-the-paycheck/
http://www.medindia.net/news/Good-Looks-Equate-Intelligence-79558-1.htm
I found this interesting because we have been discussing this such as women in the workplace. I had never thought about a salary having anything to do with looks or body composition. There may be certain reasons as to why this is, one maybe because people making more money find it easier to do this such as purchase a gym membership or exercise equipment. Other reasons may be more judgmental. This may include that more men may be higher up in companies and would prefer to higher "better looking women" or that it looks better for a company to have employees that are in good shape and attractive. Another study by researchers at the London School of Economics says that physically attractive men and women are to have IQs approximately 14 points higher than those of average or lower than average attractiveness. This may show why more attractive women make more but what determines someone attractive versus unattractive? What ever the reason it seems to be an unbeatable cycle that needs some serious attention.
http://www.medindia.net/news/Good-Looks-Equate-Intelligence-79558-1.htm
I found this interesting because we have been discussing this such as women in the workplace. I had never thought about a salary having anything to do with looks or body composition. There may be certain reasons as to why this is, one maybe because people making more money find it easier to do this such as purchase a gym membership or exercise equipment. Other reasons may be more judgmental. This may include that more men may be higher up in companies and would prefer to higher "better looking women" or that it looks better for a company to have employees that are in good shape and attractive. Another study by researchers at the London School of Economics says that physically attractive men and women are to have IQs approximately 14 points higher than those of average or lower than average attractiveness. This may show why more attractive women make more but what determines someone attractive versus unattractive? What ever the reason it seems to be an unbeatable cycle that needs some serious attention.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Cisgender Folks: The Bullies on the Playground
http://www.alternet.org/story/149667/on_tv,_the_lesbians_are_all_right..._as_long_as_they%27re_pregnant/?page=2
I chose this blog thinking about "good gay" and "bad gay"; who decides what is acceptable and who receives the brunt of that decision.
The article draws from the TV series 'Rules of Engagement'. I found other applicable examples in TV series: "The 'L' word" and the movie "The Kids are All Right". I'm sure Maury and Jerry are also proud sponsors of this stereotyping.
In summary, the author is pointing out that many of the lesbians that ARE displayed in media are lesbians who want to be pregnant, are trying to get pregnant. pregnant or with children. Personally, I take this seriously. If lesbians are very rarely being depicted in media then, when they are depicted many viewers are receiving only one message: Lesbians can have female lovers... sure but, they will never escape the desire to have a family, like all the 'normal'/cisgender gals... Bullshit! Bullshit! Horseshit!
I read this article as the cisgender folks' way of giving gays/lesbians a means of assuming the role of 'good gay'.
They seem to be saying, "We are completely accepting of your sexual preferences only if you show some signs of normality and pop out the babies. Thanks, we're watching you..."
Upsetting, disturbing, immature bullying.
I'd like to research this more, seeing as the article drew from only one source. We shall see..
I chose this blog thinking about "good gay" and "bad gay"; who decides what is acceptable and who receives the brunt of that decision.
The article draws from the TV series 'Rules of Engagement'. I found other applicable examples in TV series: "The 'L' word" and the movie "The Kids are All Right". I'm sure Maury and Jerry are also proud sponsors of this stereotyping.
In summary, the author is pointing out that many of the lesbians that ARE displayed in media are lesbians who want to be pregnant, are trying to get pregnant. pregnant or with children. Personally, I take this seriously. If lesbians are very rarely being depicted in media then, when they are depicted many viewers are receiving only one message: Lesbians can have female lovers... sure but, they will never escape the desire to have a family, like all the 'normal'/cisgender gals... Bullshit! Bullshit! Horseshit!
I read this article as the cisgender folks' way of giving gays/lesbians a means of assuming the role of 'good gay'.
They seem to be saying, "We are completely accepting of your sexual preferences only if you show some signs of normality and pop out the babies. Thanks, we're watching you..."
Upsetting, disturbing, immature bullying.
I'd like to research this more, seeing as the article drew from only one source. We shall see..
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Men Can Be Feminists?
This article is written by Matt, a male who identifies himself as a feminist. He argues that though he may not overtly experience the inequalities females face, he does recognize and care about changing them. Matt specifically focuses on people's reaction to him as a feminist. The jokes and laughter he well-expected, but what suprised him the most was the praise he recieved.
He states, "I find it unfortunate that when you find one man who cares about gender equality, it’s cause for praise...It’s great when men self-identify as feminists, but when it’s cause for celebration, then you know something is wrong with society."
http://thefbomb.org/2009/12/men-can-be-feminists/
-Adrienne Jarrett
He states, "I find it unfortunate that when you find one man who cares about gender equality, it’s cause for praise...It’s great when men self-identify as feminists, but when it’s cause for celebration, then you know something is wrong with society."
http://thefbomb.org/2009/12/men-can-be-feminists/
-Adrienne Jarrett
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