*CCASA*

This semester, I will be volunteering with the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, or CCASA. This organization is one that I can identify with, and I am excited to do all that I can to help them and other people in this process. So far, I have started this experience with an open mind, just hoping at the very least to feel welcomed as a volunteer. So far, I have received nothing but the best from those who I have been in contact with at CCASA. I have been assigned two projects so far, and I am excited to work with the rest of my group to make our project happen. Down the road, I expect to be able to openly talk and communicate with the rest of my group and the representatives of CCASA.

I've included a link to CCASA's website for anyone to learn more about the organization I will be giving my time and heart to.

http://www.ccasa.org/

Something To Call My Own

In Julia Wood’s book, Gendered Lives, she discusses the feminist movement in the United States. These women were usually white and middle class who fought together for equality and suffrage. However, the womanist movement is a group of colored women who are concerned with women’s rights but want to separate from the all white movement. These women deal with race discrimination as well as gender and class issues. Black women have more statistics to deal with such as single motherhood, less education, less pay, and more financial responsibility within their families (Wood, 83).

Out of the feminist movements that I read about, I feel like I identify with the womanist movement because I also have stereotypes to beat in the world we live in. I have to combat the statistics of single motherhood as well as being paid less for my dream career.

Although it may seem quite contradictory, I also identify with the individualistic movement as well. The individualistic movement is a part of the third wave of the feminist movement that believes that women are too diverse to have one collective group. They limit themselves to individual identities and goals and each woman lives by her own definition. Although I’m concerned with the rights of other women, I don’t necessarily feel responsible for the lives of other black women. In a way, a group of women that need to organize to be heard can easily be seen as weak. Women should work for themselves to be treated equally and obtain their goals.

 Contrary to our textbook, I don’t believe that working hard in school is all it takes to get the career I desire. To beat the statistics in place in our society, what I want for myself is marriage, legitimate children, and a fulfilling career to call my own. However, I don’t mind traditional women’s roles as a mother and housemaker. I would prefer that my husband joins in childrearing and taking care of the house, though.

Identifying with these two aspects of the feminist movement will lead me to be more independent as a woman and less willing to organize to get what I want. I am also more determined to beat the statistics as an African American woman.

Gender Roles- To Accept or Reject?

Since we're in a gender and communications class, it's only appropriate that I reflect on my feelings about gender roles in our society and whether or not I accept or reject them. I tend to have a few "old fashioned" values for my own life, but at the same time I'm not on the fence by any means. Ohh man, where to start?? Well, let me just list the common misconceptions about the XX species:


They Say: 

• Women are always supposed to be beautiful
• Women are sensitive, compassionate, and nurturing
• Women are wives, mothers, and sisters
• Women are WEAK
• Women are skinny or thin
• Women are dainty and delicate
• Little girls like dolls and pink and dresses

Those are the handful that I can think of while venting. If you see more you want to ask me about, comment freely. But here's what I say.




Arielle Says:

• Look, I have morning breath and bad hair days too. Get over it.
• I don't have to go around with my heart on my sleeve. Sometimes, ya gotta fake it till ya make it.
• Hey, women can be husbands, fathers, and brothers. If they want to be.
• I'm pretty damn strong, emotionally and physically.
• I have curves and hills and I'm okay with that. Sometimes :)
• Sometimes I burp in public (loudly) and say things that aren't okay. 
• Growing up, I liked bicycles, Ninja Turtles, football, basketball, and Spiderman toys. Awesome, huh?

Being a woman in 2011 is definitely a blessing. But I can't apologize for what I say or do or express or think. If you want to prove me wrong, I would love that. There's few things I enjoy more than seeing room to grow. This shall be a pretty awesome semester, yes?                                                                                                  

Blog Post #1 - Gender Communication

I would have to say my first interaction was with my mom- she always used to put bows in my hair when I was younger. Eventually, she told me, I was putting them in my hair myself. Also, when I would get ready for church with my grandma in the morning, she would always put lipstick and tights on me so my legs wouldn't show. She also would tell me multiple times not to run when I had my heels on...all signs of "girliness"..


The most recent interaction I can think of involves my boyfriend and his family. His little sister needed to get dressed for bed and his mom told him to do it. He then asked me to get her dressed, saying, "I'm good at those types of things". Either he meant I'm good at getting people dressed, or I have the maternal thing going on. I'm gonna go with the second one. I really do appreciate him seeing that in me. Because as much as I try not to be the traditional 1950's woman, I would love to be the traditional mother. Eventually.