Reflection:
While reading, the author really caught my attention when talking about sexism and white male privilege. As a woman, it is something I can relate to and deal with from day to day. Growing up in school, there would be tasks that needed to be done, like lifting something heavy or fixing something. Every time the teacher would ask a boy to help over asking a girl with these challenging tasks. This made it unfair to the girls who knew how to do the task or wanted to help. This basically told us that the boys can do things better compared to girls. As Alan stated, "If we can't talk about it if we can't use the words." No one stood up or said anything, which adds to the difficulty of even start using those words and talking about it and making that difference. Which can be scary to do. Just because men and women are different, that shouldn't be the problem; either gender is fully capable of the same tasks. Another time I experienced this was when I was working at a barn with horses. Some tasks like lifting and dumping water buckets, and whenever it was my turn, my male co-worker would come over and say, "those look heavy for you. Do you want me to just do it?" This was very diminishing and made me feel not good enough or as important in the workplace. Meanwhile, I was fully capable of doing my work. Not only does it include being able to complete the same tasks, but there is a safety aspect with sexism for women in the work we live in today. Women are always told to make sure they aren't walking alone so nothing bad happens to them, while men do not get that same treatment.
Questions/Comments/Points to share:
The diversity wheel is a way to see all the differences people have that they can use against each other. People think they can use these outer characteristics about people assume about who they really are. Yes, we are all made up of these characteristics, and they are a part of us. But, why do we let ourselves judge others from the outside? Everyone should be equal, and opinions made about people should be made after you know who they really are. This will not be possible if we don't start using the words. To begin solving the problem.
Hyperlink:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/10/14/opinion/gender-bias.html
I agree that it's very frustrating when you're told because you're a woman you can't do something. I was putting air in my tires at a gas station and a man approached me and asked if I needed him to do it for me. It may have been a nice gesture but I can put air in my tires by myself just fine.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about how frustrating it is to be a woman in those aspects. When I was a preschool teacher, I made sure to always ask the girls to help me move something if I needed it. Girls can do anything too!
ReplyDeleteI agree I understand where you are coming from especially when it comes to woman walking or being alone like you had mentioned I get this so much from family members and I understand its my safety but I know what todo.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with it being so frustrating when people think you can't do something because you're a girl. It just pushes me to want to prove them wrong.
ReplyDeleteI understand the frustration of constantly receiving advice from family members on how to protect myself in dangerous situations since I am a women and I know they mean well, but it can get tiring and repetitive at times.
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