LEARNING MODULE SEVEN

Read the Heterosexual Questionnaire and take the time to answer the questions for yourself.  Now read the following prompt and critically reflect upon the following questions. *Please note that if you do not identify as straight, feel free to adjust this prompt in a way you see fit.  Either examine and explain how you would feel as a part of the dominant privileged group, what you think would be different, or explain how things are for you now not fitting into the dominant category.  If you identify as bi or fluid in some way, feel free to discuss this as not having a category and how in either situation bisexuality/fluid sexuality gets left out.

This morning when you awoke from a night’s sleep, you became aware that society was no longer as you remembered it. In fact, it had universally made a 180-degree turn in sexual orientation and the world you remember as being a comfortable environment for heterosexuals like yourself no longer accepts people like you. You don’t want to return to isolation, so you must deal with the situation, and do it right now. But now you don’t fit in. Homo-erotic love is the required standard. Heterosexuals are moral outcasts. They are widely thought to molest children, and the marriage of your partner that you have looked forward to for several years will not be legally recognized. Procreation takes place in test tubes and hired wombs according to accepted procedures, and couples like you and your partner are considered hazardous to population growth. You turn on the TV news, only to see a demonstration on the courthouse steps by anti-heterosexual activists shouting ‘heterosexuality is sin’ and ‘ban the straights.’ A sense of doom envelops you as the truth sinks in. You have a cup of coffee and sit down to think about how you will deal with the situation.” What do you think? How will your life change? What will happen to your relationship with your family and friends, now all gay? Will you allow others to know that you are straight and risk the consequences? What might they be? How do you decide to deal with the situation? Why?

In 2-3 paragraphs, write some key insights drawn from BOTH of these exercises, and how it felt to answer the questions.  Use course readings to discuss ways to navigate through this oppressive situation and how you see the world changing if homophobia was abolished.

That's racism.

I feel like this poster kind of summarizes what we said about the original billboard in class and on the Wallwisher. The photo was taken at a recent Walk for Choice.

It's Pay Equity Awareness Week!

Pay Equity Awareness Week
February 28 - March 4

$tart $mart Pay Negotiation Workshop
Mar. 3, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Ferguson 309
This seminar is open to Juniors, Seniors and Grad Students.

In The Red - Wear Red Day
Mar. 2
Wear red to show your support for equal pay among races and genders. Send your In The Red pictures to wrc@ua.edu.

Sponsored by:
The Women’s Resource Center
Career Center
National Pan-Hellenic Council

For more information,
contact Maria at mvpfisher@sa.ua.edu
or call the WRC at 348-5040.

LEARNING MODULE FIVE (REDO)

Due Wednesday 3/2 no later than Noon

Imagine you are participating in a conversation with the Combahee River Collective and, in a consciousness-raising group, you read the following article: Recy Taylor: A Symbol of Jim Crow's Forgotten Horror.

Using the Combahee River Collective Statement and what you have learned in the past weeks, discuss a black feminist perspective to this issue (In 2-3 paragraphs).   How would the Collective approach the issue, especially with regard to privilege, interlocking oppressions, “the personal is political”, and a critique of the limitations of dominant feminist and anti-racist approaches to hierarchies of inequality.  What new perspectives might they offer?  Be creative…imagine you are sitting at the table with them!

LEARNING MODULE SIX

Due Saturday (2/26) by noon

After reading the essay, “And So I Choose,” by Allison Crews place her discussion of “rights” in conversation with the article you read for class this week, “Beyond Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life?”  First (2 paragraphs), in your own words, please describe why each of these terms are in fact problematic or limiting to our larger discussion of reproductive rights.  Why were each limiting in Crew’s reflection?  What does a “reproductive justice” paradigm offer instead?  

Second (1-2 paragraphs) reflect on the recent arguments surrounding legislation addressed to congress (see links below).  What do you think is at stake in politicizing women’s bodies and reproduction?  What would a reproductive justice argument look like in response to this legislation.

 

Planned Parenthood Funding Blocked In House Vote

Center for Reproductive Rights Testimony

A chance to better understand some interlocking oppressions.

This Friday, at 6 pm, in Ferg 312, there will be a discussion group hosted by Spectrum (the student LGBTQ and Allies organization). This group is a discussion group for queer people of color AND their allies, so you don't need to be queer or of color to participate; you just need to be willing to listen and be respectful. The purpose is to gain a better understanding of the identities, experiences, and communities of queer people of color on our campus. This could be a really great opportunity to further your understanding of how oppressions reinforce each other, and I hope to see you there.

LEARNING MODULE FIVE

Imagine bell hooks joins the Combahee River Collective and in a consciousness-raising group reads her article “Straightening Our Hair,” and shows the film clip “A Girl Like Me.”

Based upon your readings for this week, discuss a black feminist perspective to this topic.  How would the Collective approach the issue, especially with regard to privilege, interlocking oppressions, “the personal is political,” and a critique of the limitations of dominant feminist and anti-racist approaches to hierarchies of inequality.  What new perspectives might they offer?  Be creative…imagine you are sitting at the table with them!