Introduction

Categories of identity that involve privilege or the lack thereof (examples include gender, race, class, sexual orientation) interact on multiple levels and often simultaneously in a way that cannot be fully separated in the understanding of it.

Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term intersectionality to describe that overlap and interaction of identities. Her specific example is that her identity as a black woman must be examined as black womanhood rather than as blackness + womanhood * (Crenshaw). Part of her argument, then, when using her example, is that gender and race intersect in such a way that gender is experienced differently depending on the race of the individual.

In Exile and Pride, Eli Clare stitches together stories and experiences from his own life in order to create a memoir about trying to understand his identity. Although tales of the destruction of a local forest and histories of freak shows do not initially sound like similar stories, Clare relates the two misfortunate events with one common word: exploitation. To Clare, the word is not a pleasant one; to him, exploitation is “pure thievery” (Clare 91).” This definition of the word appears clearly in parts of his text, yet by thoroughly analyzing his words and drawing parallels, the meaning of “exploitation” does not remain quite clear.

Words dictate who you are. Therefore, “Handicapped” handicapped Eli Clare’s life.  “Disabled… That word used as a noun (The disabled or people with disabilities), an adjective (disabled people), a verb (the accident disabled her): in all forms it means “unable,” but where does our inability lie? Are our bodies like stalled cars? Or does disability live in the social and physical environment, in the stairs that have no accompanying ramp? … That word locates the condition of being nondisabled, not in the nondisabled body, but in the world’s reaction to that body.”  (Clare, 82).

Selena Martinez

Paper #5 (Revision on paper #4)

October 3, 2014

What is Normal?

Hate is a strong word, one that should be used sparingly to express a passionate, profound feeling. The definition that is given for hate by the Oxford English dictionary demonstrates the profound force and intensity of this term: “An emotion of extreme dislike or aversion; detestation, abhorrence” (Oxford English Dictionary 1). Clare discusses how hatred is used to marginalize people, make people feel ashamed of their different abilities, force people to accept certain identities, and isolate groups and individuals. Unfortunately, hate cannot always be ignored.

In Exile and Pride, Eli Clare discusses multiple topics that range from freedom and sexuality to disability. The complexities of these topics are kept confidential to outsiders. But, Eli provides personal insights and lessons, since he has lived with the struggles that each topic presents. His multitude of short stories concludes with writing personal reflections to interoperate his personal self. Although his tone is with filled with shame, his pride keeps him from directly admitting it to the reader.

In the article ‘Arts of the Contact Zone’, Pratt discussed the contact zone which is formed where different cultures meet and clash. The literal definition of contact zone reminded me of my unforgettable trip to Lijiang in which I integrated myself from the multi-culture environment there. However, looking closer to the passage, I found no matter the bilingual 400-page letter Guaman Poma wrote to the King of Spain or the teachers teaching pupils by unifying the entire world in their own opinions all indicated that the contact zone contains a highly asymmetrical power relation between the two sides in the contact zone, usually leading to a mournful story.

Though the ACHA survey results in terms of mental health were unfortunate, they were unsurprising. Significant percentages of college students, had, at least once in the last twelve months, felt that things were hopeless, felt overwhelmed by all they had to do, felt exhausted mentally, felt very lonely, experienced anxiety, and felt overwhelming anger. Almost half of the population surveyed expressed feeling that their lack of sleep was at least a small problem, and the most commonly treated mental health issues were anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.