Activism Log Week 3

Alexandria Bergeron
Nina Perez
3/18/10
WST 3015


Unfortunaly I can not say I have done much of anything this week for my Service Learning Project. Coming back from Spring Break meant lots and lots of work all do in this one week. I did collect a few signatures from more friends of mine that go to UCF, so the week wasn't a complete was for me. My plan this up coming week is to be caught up on all my work and to get to do some tableing. Prior to Spring Break I was so sick that I wasn't able to do tableing. I actually am a little discouraged because I am the only one in the group that hasn't done some tableing time. I am looking to make up for the missed time and to start progressing forward with the rest of our group as the finally rally approaches.

Go Stewie, Go

Alexandria Bergeron

WST 3015- Perez

Blog Assignment-Vixen in the Kitchen, Angel in the Attic (T.V. show blog)

3/17/10

Go Stewie, Go

We see Louis as a mother figure, who if you are an avid Family Guy watcher like myself, we know as a women who embraces her femininity as well as her sexuality. I this particular episode Louis's focus become the attention of Meg's new boyfriend. This attention is so important because of comments about Luis aging that are made by Peter, which left her feeling unattractive and needy for attention. In Seely's Fight Like A Girl, on page 103, she discusses how women are often shown in a limited light, often obsessing about "trivial issues" such as their apperance. This episodes shows how as women we would go to extremes to feel beautiful. Luis was not able to have a feeling of self beauty on her own and required the acknowledgement of a male to feel complete. As a women who knows what makes me feel good, I would like to see the media show a women who is confident in her own unique style, and that embraces aging without making a wrinkle or a grey hair change their outlook on their lives and on themselves.

Family Guy often depicts Louis as the care giver and the stay at home mom. She is the brain of the family but often takes the back seat so that Peter can play the role of "man of the house". She is a mother and a wife, but often we see glimpses of life dreams she wants to fulfill. In ever instance where Louis goes on to follow a dream she ends up returning to the at home wife and mother life style. Yes, I realize that "women's labor, both paid and unpaid, must be recognized and respected" (p. 99), but this doesn't mean that a women can't do both. Louis always decides to leave her dreams after achieving a little bit of the goal, so that she can return to her rule as an at home mother and wife. I think that women need to know that you can still be that good mother, and dream wife without sitting at home waiting on everyone all day and maintaining the house as your profession. For some this may be the dream life but is it the dream because we have made it a normal dream that women should aspirer to in society's eyes?

Seely, Megan. Fight Like a Girl: How to be a Fearless Feminist. New York and London: New York University Press, 2007.

Discussion Leading

Alexandria Bergeron

Jeannina Perez

2/16/10

Discussion Leading Abstract

WST 3015

The idea of women embrasing their sexuality is a new idea

Kirk, Gwyn/ Okazawa-Rey, Margo. "Chapter 4: Women's Sexuality"

Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5. (2010): 149

This chapter focuses on the ideals of women's sexuality, the movement to embrace it, and the struggles of breaking free from the traditional roles women in the realm of sex. The discussion focuses on the changing mind set that women are non sexual beings. For countless years the norm has been that man and women come together in intercourse, that women should be pure but submissive to all that is desired of them, and that pleasure being sought out with sex by women was not acceptable.

With the creation of such things as birth control and other contraception women are under going a transformation as to how they embrace the world of sex. For many however the act itself is still ruled by patriarchal ideals and racial/ ageism stereotypes. The world of advertising plays into these thoughts through images of young, attractive, innocent looking women selling the "dream" of sex through product promotions. Young adults and teens are learning to act as pure "virgins" by engaging in sex play as a way of being sexually empowered. This empowerment comes at a cost. Though sexual freedom and expression is pushing forward, education on the subject of sex is still being held back in programs at schools and in communities. The idea of abstinence and traditional heterosexual marriage are the only federally aided education programs offered. This lack of knowledge not only leads to an increase in teen pregnancy but also in an increase in sexually transmitted diseases as

The chapter also continues on with the idea of gender binaries and how they limit the world of sexuality. The Idea of two opposites monopolizing areas such as gender, and sexual preference are to close minded for this growing society. Bisexuals (which many women fall under) and intersexual/ transgender persons are excluded from this system which creates even more oppressive actions and prejudices to form.

With empowerment comes vulnerability. Sexual violence, rape and battery grow hand in hand with the world sexuality.These issues have caused for a split in feminist opinion on how this "revolution" should be approached and has lead to heated debate as to whether or not restrictions would be beneficial to women or if restrictions on the sexual freedom would encroach on there sexual freedom and identity. Questions also come as to why women are heterosexual especial do to the fact the other women play such important roles in our lives earlier and more often then men.

Critical thinking question: Do these sterotypes effect how we view ourselves or effect how we act as individuals when it comes to the topic of sex? Do you feel like you have to live up these expectations set for each "group"?

Critical Thinking Question: At what point in youth do we start being exposed to the idea that men and women are the sexual norm in society?

Activism Blog Week 2

Alexandria Bergeron

Nina Perez

2/18/10

WST 3015

So Tuesday I had the opportunity to attend a SAFE and EQUAL meeting. Our cause was discussed and we asked for peoples help, by signing petitions and planning on attending our rally. The facebook event was also created an we started to send out mass invites to all our friends. We are planning a meeting next Monday and will begin tabling in the coming week as well.

Going to the SAFE meeting was very interesting. I was able to listen to the political side of the fight for equality. I was very comfortable and everyone was open and friendly. Hearing the passion and the facts about Florida legislature really hit home for me. There was several facts I was not aware of, such as Florida's laws prohibiting same gender families from adopting. I had always assumed that it was only a difficult process, not that it was banned in Florida. This was a bit disappointing and it made me realize that as a society we have not come as far in the realm of acceptance.

Going to these meetings and learning about the Florida laws lead me to have some very interesting conversations with friends and for the first time in a long time I was able to have an in depth conversation with my peers. Also seeing some of the friends that committed to attending the rally in April was encouraging. Not only in the sense of this one cause but also in the hope that times and generations are changing the mind set for the future. Friends of mine that I had never had conversations about there stance on the subject, have stepped forward and have sent the invite to their friends. This act alone has given me so much more respect for my friends and they don't even know it. I think that of all the projects I have done in school this one is quickly becoming the most intense and the most powerful, teaching me more about me and the people i surround myself with on a day to day basis.

Activism Blog Week 1

Alexandria Bergeron

Nina Perez

2/18/10

WST 3015

During our first week of getting this project under way, the group had a meeting on Friday to meet Rebecca and to discuss future plans and meeting times. Unfortunately due to my work schedule I was unable to attend the group meet, but did stay in contact with group members to make sure that I was aware of what was going on. I then knew to take off work on Tuesday the 16th in order to attend the SAFE and EQUAL meetings.

I am very excited to be involved in this project and am anxious to get in an start collecting signatures, tabling, and getting the word out there on so that we can get as many members of the UCF community involved. I am a little nervous about all the things that need to get done, and this is my first movement towards being an activist for a cause I truly believe in. I have most often been the person to talk about change but have not taking the time to really do something to help motivate that change. Doing the work and putting in the effort really has created a prideful feeling in myself and I have been very excited to talk to my friends and family as much as possible about this event and to help get them involved and gain their support.

I was initially nervous about being in a group. I think anytime you are assigned a group activity t is natural to be a bit unsure of the final out come. We have all been in those groups in the past were we felt like we did all the work but had to share the final grade, and it is stressful. However this group has really helped make me excited about this project. Their enthusiasm and initiative has been such a positive motivator for me. I realize it is the first week but I really think that this process is going to go on relatively smoothly thanks to our seemingly good group dynamic.

Service Learning Proposal

Service Learning Proposal
For Equal
(Formerly G.L.B.S.U. of UCF)


Jen Ackerman
Johana Vanegas
Jennifer Smith
Rachel Miles
Alexandria Bergeron

11 February 2010
Professor Nina Perez
Introduction to Women’s Studies, WST 3015

Community Partner: Equal at UCF

Address: P.O. Box 163245 • Orlando, FL • 32816-3245

Contact: Rebecca Marques
786-271-5382
RMarques@knights.ucf.edu

Equal at UCF Community Profile

Mission Statement:
Equal's mission is to provide a safe environment for students to interact and network with each other, engage in social activities, and develop personal character without fear of discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, and to provide support and resources for students who have experienced such discrimination.

Political/ Social Basis:
Equal's vision is a campus environment where GLBTQ students can feel both a sense of self-worth and pride in their individual diversity and a sense of community and belonging, and where all students can expect to be treated equally, regardless of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Equal strives to educate its members and the university community about sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender issues, and about issues that affect the GLBTQ community and provide opportunities for the personal and professional growth and development of its members.

Equal’s Needs:
To fully utilize the student body, Equal will need all of its volunteers to be active and committed to our vision of equality. To make sure our goals get met, volunteers will have to expect rigorous schedule of deadlines and work. Work will include behind-the-scenes organizing as well as field work of petitioning and tabling.


The following is a proposal to outline the needs, rationale and feasibility for a service learning project to benefit GLBT student body and faculty. The following proposal contains background on the need for and benefits of getting gender identity listed on the Non-Discrimination policy project, an outline of the work I plan to do, the rationale for its inclusion in WST 3015, and a scheduled timeline. This proposal may need to be revised after beginning the project and must be flexible to meet the needs of the both the service learning project and the community partner.

Need for:
Volunteers who are committed to working for a safer campus that protects its GLBT students and faculty. Volunteers will be expected to help in any way possible including: helping promote the event, outreach to other campus organizations to raise awareness, collect signatures, table in front of the union, and do other various technical tasks.

Plan Proposal:
Our plan is to volunteer for Equal at UCF under Rebecca Marques who is organizing the petition and protest of UCF’s Non- Discrimination Policy. As of right now UCF’s Non-Discrimination Policy does not include gender identity
under the list of minorities currently covered. We will be tabling, petitioning, organizing and participating in the protest and hopeful addition of gender identity to the Non- Discrimination Policy. This project meets the need of the our
Community Partner Equal because one of their goals is to “create a community where gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer (GLBTQ) students and their allies can feel safe, welcome, and proud, where they can interact and grow with out fear of harassment or discrimination.” Presently the GLBTQ community on our campus is vulnerable to abuse and intolerance which is something that needs to be changed immediately.

Women’s Studies:
Since one of the core principles of feminism is the belief in social, political, and economic equality of all sexes and people, we believe as a group that this project completely encompasses the value and ideals of this course. We are fighting for the protection of this minority, so this group of people feels safe under the Non- Discrimination Policy and on our campus. We are hoping that this project results in more awareness of intolerance, specifically for the
transgendered, and an education in equality for all.

Action:
This project has already begun with meetings and will continue with persistent planning and organizing. The first steps of the project include off campus out-reach and contacting those in the greater community who could also support us. Initially the five members of this group will be Rebecca Marques’ main group of volunteers. We will work directly under her and assist her with paper work, petition-making, tabling and recruiting. Each of one of us will have different responsibilities including creating and running the website (event page) for our project, collecting and sending our petition sheets and letters to the President of the UCF, organizing and planning the tabling efforts, running and assisting in the actual protest for our cause, and lastly fulfilling recruiting and promoting for the event.

As a group we will be working under Rebecca Marques who is an active Equal member on the UCF campus. We will need to be devoted and very serious about the cause in order to really achieve the equality we are striving for.

Timeline:
Event page created February 12th
Group Meeting February 15th
Petition forms created and distributed February 15th
to members
Speak and attend EQUAL meeting February 16th
Group Meeting February 19th
Group Meeting February 24th
Informational video February 26th
Video showcase to EQUAL March 2nd
Group Meeting March 2nd
Newspaper article March 8-11th
Group Meeting March 16th
Tabling and signature gathering March 1st- April 22nd
Emails sent to President Hitt March 1st- April 22nd
Group Meeting April 26th
Event (petition turn in) Tentative date April 28th

Off Like a Dirty Shirt

Alexandria Bergeron

Jeannina Perez

2/15/10

WST 3015

"Off Like a Dirty Shirt"

Class oppression in "Pretty in Pink" is clearly the greatest theme throughout this film but it is not the only theme. Sexism and the objectification of women is also a central theme through out this classic coming of age film. "Andy" (Molly Ringwald) displays all the classic stereotypes of a low class family. "Poverty is often described as resulting for low self-esteem, laziness,or dysfunctional families..." (314). This description seems to have been the blue print for the writers of this film. Andy comes from a broken home, in which her mother left her and her father. The father figure is lazy and avoids finding a new job due to his depressed state of losing his wife, and finally, Andy displays sever self esteem issues through her insecurity in the possible relationship with "Blaine" due to his social status. And we think classism is a fading problem.

The sad fact is that this film displays clearly the problems of prejudice that still plagues our country from both sides of the spectrum. Terms such as "Richies", which is the title Andy and her friends give to the other students who come from upper class families in scene 9, is just as much a prejudice term as calling someone "white trash". Though the term is not as negative sounding the negative connotation is understood. The idea of two people intermingling from these two very separate classes is not excepted by either sides peers. In the film both friends on the upper class side and friends on the lower end displayed there dislike for Andy and Blaine to be dating. Their fate of eventually failing to make the relationship work is sealed when all other parties make it their personal priority to state there personal feelings as well as punishing the two with threats and with the loss of friendships.

The negative ideas of sexuality are also displayed throughout the film. The idea that "boys will be boys" (150), is displayed and discussed in the film. The idea that the only possible reason that Blain could be interested in Andy is because he is going through of phase and that the fact that she is poor prevents her from being seen normally as being sexual, is an actual dialogued conversation in scene 11. Through out the film the girls who are seen as being sexy are the same girls who carry the bad girl attitude and who are continually disrespected by men. They are depicted as objects that the guys use but who they have no respect for. These same bad girls are the girls that we see dressing in the very trendy clothing (for the time frame) , while the girls like Andy are depicted in much more covering clothing items that act as a cover to her sexuality or in clothing that really lacks having any female association thus making them asexual in the film. Only when Andy breaks free of the rules and of her own insecurities is she able to be "Pretty in Pink" in a much more feminine outfit, and of course whens her man.

Work Cited:

Works Cited

"Making A Home, Making A Living." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York City: McGraw Hill, 2010. 314. Print.

"Women's Sexuality." Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York City: McGraw Hill, 2010. 150-51. Print.