Annotations

Shanese Nixon
Dr. Drews
WMST 1101
15 March 2013

Major Project Annotation

Scholarly
Stepteau-Watson, Desiree. "Infusing Student Activism Into The College Curriculum: A Report Of A Service-Learning Project To Bring Awareness To Sexual Violence." College Student Journal 46.4 (2012): 788-794.Web.

This report, thoroughly details an interaction project very similar to the one I am apart of. The report includes research, going into depth, concerning sexual assault on college campuses all over the United States, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and even the event “Take Back the Night”. The history and motives of awareness seeking speakers, professors, and concerned community members are also given defined. The embracing of service learning to produce more knowledge throughout campus along with other methods to engage and educate college communities, has lead to a wide spread awareness with prospect of future capabilities.

Martin, Sandra L., “Original Article: “Women’s Sexual Orientations and Their Experiences of Sexual Assault Before and During University.” In Women’s Health. 21(3) (2011):199-205. Science Direct.

This article surveys and correlates the relationship between sexual orientation and sexual assault experiences in universities. Providing my report with statistical value and promoting why all women, despite sexual orientations,are victims and should be represented. The article also reports women having an increased likelihood of being sexually assaulted during college than before.

Non-Scholarly
Archambault, Stacy. "National: SHORT TAKES." Ms Magazine 2013: 17-.ProQuest Research Library.Web.

This article from Ms Magazine provides injustices around the nation that have lead to movements such as “Take Back the Night”. This article also provides information about laws that have been passed towards helping women, primarily raped women in uniform.

Speakers during Sexual Awareness Week discuss and attempt to open the eyes of the community to raise much needed awareness these topics.

Day, Anna Therese, and Lauren Wolfe. "Women in Waiting." Ms Magazine 2013: 20-1. ProQuest Research Library. Web.

This article gives an example of how activism of sexual abuse has affected Syria. It is being called a revolution for rights against sexual abuse for women, men, and children. The center does a lot to help its community even against militia odds, assisting many people, unwilling to stop until change has come about. I believe it correlates to my project due to the amount of raised awareness against military men targeting women, also embodying what change can follow when you stand firmly and unite.

Description of My location

The location I have chosen is the University Village. It is off of Damascus Rd. in Augusta, Georgia. This community is where the Augusta State undergraduates live, many are between the ages of 18-22. I identify with this location because it is the environment of, not only my age group, but also undergraduate students. All students are divided by gender into the apartment that they will be living in. I live in an all female apartment. My role in this location is being an active student as well as student leader. I try to promote what a student leader is both on and off campus. Because I am a student leader on campus many people know me, whether student or faculty, they have become friends and give me a level of respect because of the hard work that I do.

FInal Reflection

       Reflecting on the Social Location Project I have found many things in a small amount of time that have a profound connection to Feminism. I was able to just walk around during a surprise birthday party and there it was; definitions from my Women Studies Class being apart of everyday life. Like looking through new lenses from my lectures and reading, I had seen more than I had anytime before. I saw female peers waiting hand and foot for men. I saw how they waited on the men to even start the party. Patriarchy was definitely a  huge part of the night. The only sense of refreshment I can say that I got from that night was from a girl named Tay  who seemed to reject conforming to what society expected her to be and look like. She was very opinionated and even rejected the heteronormative gender roles that all her friends seemed to follow. Society has constructed the world in a way that there is little   to no wiggle room. At this surprise party the men were trying to flirt with the girls and vice versa. I would have liked to see more resistance from the women and taking the night into their own hands instead of making the men the center of conversation as well as the party. I believe that with more progression, will bring about better wisdom and pride. I know that with this knowledge I will even be different. While there is nothing wrong with being nice to male counterparts, gender expectation and obligation should definitely be examined.

Social Construction of Gender

While on a quick run to the store, I noticed these magazines on a stand. Funny, to label women.

The social construction of gender is all around us, noticing this was somewhat eye opening for me. The stand that is photographed is under the label of "Women" as if this is what women are expected to look like and have interests in. There are no sports magazines is this section as if a lady's only interest are what is connected to the kitchen as well as home decor. A women's health is constructed as a slender woman, instead of showing other types of healthy bodies. How society generalizes gender is fully demonstrated in this picture.

Privilege

Shawn and Mykal are friends but they come from different places and have different aspirations.  Mykal comes from a more privileged background than Shawn does.

Privilege is a word used to describe someone who has certain rights or immunities by an individual, class, or caste. This is how the dictionary discribes this word.  Privilege can be based off of a range of characteristics such as race or even sexual orientation. In the picture are two heterosexual men who obviously have had distinctly different upbringings. This example shows class privilege. Peggy McIntosch may argues that individuals with privilege are not aware they they are an asset to privilege, but instead feel as though it was hard work and determination that brought then closer towards their dreams and comfortable lives. During a conversation had with Mykal, he believed that it wasn't a class difference that made them different but, instead a difference in work ethic and view of opportunities. This  shot interview with him confirmed the insightful beliefs that Peggy McIntosch has.

Refusal to take the path of least resistance

Tay dresses  in what she is comfortable in not what she is "Supposed" to be in.

No. You're going to sweep up the chips. 

Resisting the Path of least Resistance is never an easy plight. While at the party, I encountered a girl named Octavia(Tay). Even though every other female there were wearing some type of form fitting clothing, Tay wore what she felt comfortable in. She refused to give up who she was although her friends pleaded with her to dress a bit more "girly". People throughout history have done the same thing leading to many changes in our society. For example, Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat, or the strong women throughout history who refused to remain complacent with rules implied unto  them. Tay sits confident in her demeanor and sexuality, but the world still classifies her as a "tomboy".

Patriarchy

Kita pleads with the men for something to drink. Prior to the party, her boyfriend told her she was not allowed to drink. Even though her boyfriend had left the room, his friends would not give her a drink.

The men are all outside conversing, and taking in the nights air. while the woman are left to wait on them in bed, bored.

If we didn't abide, there would be no patriarchy.

These images evoke the meaning of patriarchy in it's realest form. The fact that this can easily be overthrown if the women in these pictures stood up for themselves and not the rules set by men. AT this point, I believe it is a subconscious hold that men have over certain women. Kita could easily take a drink since she is of legal age and is an independent college student, but instead she chooses and has a hand in keeping patriarchy in a position not to be questioned.

Intersectionality

Three woman, all three were aware they were coming to a party, all three had different ways of what a party outfit looked like. (From left to right. Tay chose to dress like a boy. Mani is very casual, while Aaliyah is very dressy.) Could be a cultural difference, class difference, sexuality difference, or as simple as one had more time than the other two. You decide.

This photo shows the intersectionality because of the differences that these women hold. Besides them all being female, minorities and college students, they come from different class systems and identify themselves by different sexual orientations. All of these things intersect internally within themselves as well as their friendship.

Sexism

"Wait Why do I have to clean up the chips that YOU spilled, so sexist."

Yes, Even woman can be sexist against themselves.

During the party, a guest had spilled the bowl of chips that had been provided. Instead of cleaning it up himself, he instead chose to retrieve the broom,  and pass it to me, in an attempt to get me to clean up the mess he had made. I thought this was the perfect example of sexism, because he didn't seem to think twice about what he was doing. In his mind having a nearby woman clean up the mess was not only the right way, but the only way. He tried to justify his action, by saying it was only because i was the homeowner, but I know the truth. The truth being, that the moment he spilled that bowl of chips, sexism took over, and he didn't think twice about having me clean up his mess.

Heteronormativity

As we all prepare for a surprise birthday party. All the woman clean, and cook party favors, while the lone male seen in the bottom left corner, relaxes.

Heteronormativity shows its face in many situations in society, whether it be media or the things cultural gender roles passed down from generation to generation. Heteronormative gender roles are what this photo shows. Showing that the basic gender role of women cleaning while the men sit and relax is still strong today.