kwilkinson's blog

Everyone is queer.  No one strictly fits in these binaries/categories.

Categories restrict people, because people change in their categories without knowing.

Knowing what lies in one's hurt leads to on a distaste with how the world is run and desire to see change.

Change will only come if we as a people collectively open our minds and hearts.

Hearts trump parts in matters of identity.

I have not been able to get my hands on a copy of the book yet, but I am borrowing from Vaughan tonight!  I wanted to reflect on my experience with the Borenstein book. 

As stated in some of my earlier statements, blog posts, and sentiments in class I have come to this discussion apprehensive to immerse myself in the ideals of feminism.  Regardless of the socio-historical context in which many women have been left out of this movement, I struggled with Borenstein's use of sarcasm/satire in this workbook.  I will admit, as a social-science major, I am quick to find flaw and problems within a particular framework.  Although this is my personality (both of my parents are lawyers--I tend to argue/question.. ha!), I find myself to often be one of few in many of my classes that not only acknowledge the systematic oppression of minorities, but the more subtle/nuanced ways in which minorities face micro-level/macro-level racism/sexism/any of the isms today.  I realize that I am in a learning space which is hyper-sensitive to these various forms of oppression, but also we all come from different backgrounds and experiences which shape our lens of race/sexuality/gender/class/everything today.

Hi Everyone!  My name is Kelly, I wasn't in class with you all on Thursday.  

I guess because I haven't met you all it took me a while to figure out which picture I wanted to use.  Although I relatively enjoy taking pictures, I wasn't sure what picture would adequately represent me.  Then I thought to myself why I want to take this class in the first place... I selected my avatar not because this is was a great book necessarily, but because I struggle with being fully comfortable with feminism.  As a Black-American woman, find myself in a love-hate relationship with feminism.  Of course I believe in not only equality, but also empowerment, for women (AND ALL MARGINALIZED PEOPLES), but I find myself always asking, "What type of woman are we talking about here?  Who is this movement really for?"  Historically in many social movements, Black women have been involved but never able to share their narratives and full unencumbered selves, due to a lack of understanding of their intersectionality as Black women.  Understanding that these two identities constantly impact one another, I struggle to fully align myself as a feminist because I feel that I would have to alienate my blackness in a sense, therefore my specific needs and wants as a black women.  I hope that in this course I am able to evolve in my thoughts from our discussion and course work.  See you all tomorrow!