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stephanie2's picture

First Class and Thoughts

I thought our first class was very interesting and dynamic. I loved the potluck discussion we had and the interpretations of the images.  I have never taken a class that started with such an icebreaker. 

In reference to the Dinner Party by Judy Chicago, I was surprised that the image shown to us was the face of Sojourner Truth.  Once it was explained, it made sense. But I would never have expected that piece to represent one woman because it seemed so universal. Also, I think it's interesting that Sojourner Truth was the only woman honored at the dinner party with a face-like plate, instead of a plate celebrating the female body. I did not and still do not know what to make of that, but it sure does have some interesting implications and I would love to know why Chicago honored Sojourner Truth the way she did.

On another note, I was struck when it was mentioned that the mission of Bryn Mawr College was to make women be like men, or something along those lines. It seemed so odd because I would think that the college's mission would have been intellectual equality between the sexes without the 'if you can't beat them, join them' mentality. 

In terms of the waves of feminism, I feel as if I identify with the second wave the most, but I am unsure. I never considered myself a feminist, but I have been called so by others with the 'negative' or stereotypical definition of a feminist in mind. It irritates me a little as to how the word feminist still has a negative connotation. Nevertheless, I think feminism, once claimed, can be a wonderful thing.

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