When Will My Paper Show What I Think Inside?

Writing is a hard process; I've learned that writing what I think is even harder.

                The opinion editorial is done. My long hours of frustration, of begging the keys to will up their story, of pleading with myself to become less professional has finally paid off. Ideas that were once made up in ranting now come across in a semi-cohesive manner. Although it’s only a final draft, with many more edits lurking beneath the surface, it is finished. This paper was a constant battle between mind and might, making me question my abilities quite often.

 As a fiction writer, my creativity felt stifled by my professionalism, my desire to sound as educated as possible. My brainstorming was caught by traps of continuous writing, of deciding arguments as my hands flew across the keys. Often, structuring the paper required large amounts of coaxing my fingers to yield up sentences to portray my ideas, without sounding like a vengeful feminist.

Having others read my work was like sending off a child to school; I would cringe and hover, hoping the end report will be something worthwhile. However, critiques brought about great changes and I am thankful for my group for listening to my rants and reading and revising my editorial.

Overall, the opinion editorial writing process proved to be as much of a challenge as a success. I feel more confident in my abilities to transform overly professional articles into relatable ones. I also enjoyed learning about different planning methods, even though I stuck with my reliable “writing by the seat of my pants” method.

Feminism, Rethought

Here's my latest draft! Let me know what you think!

Three months, maybe more. That’s how long I endured the almost daily harassment from the lunch table across form me. Even though I wore jeans and a tee shirt, the crass catcalls and crude comments still poured in from the myriad of boys. Not a single word of defense came from my peers or even my teachers, until I stood up for myself. And yet, I’m still asked why I need feminism. I’m asked constantly why such a self-respecting LDS woman would want to associate herself with something so intent on destroying the family, the Priesthood and society as we know it. Even when I convince one that “not all feminists are like that,” another three or four anti-feminists rear their angry heads. I feel like Hercules, doomed to fight a never ending hydra of misogyny and hatred. What antifeminists-and most of the public- don’t understand is that feminism is crucial to survival in the socio-political sphere and to true equality. It is my belief that in order for true equality to succeed and thrive, the general public’s perception of feminism must undergo a drastic change.

Our world thrives on fanaticism. The best examples are present in the media: radical Christians, Muslims, dieters, and politicians always dot the news and take up the most space in our mind. Because of this, true meanings are often lost beneath the sea of extremism. This love for radical extremes has pushed feminism in to the zone of burning bras and female priesthood ordination. The first question that usually follows “Yes, I’m a feminist,” is “How do you feel about Ordain Women?” That is usually followed with “you need a man to control you,” or “if you don’t watch what you say, you’ll be in trouble for apostasy,” or, my personal favorite, “How do you expect to have be a good mother if you’re going to always be gone?” The idea that all feminists hate and want to subjugate men has slowed the progress to true equality.

Wait, true equality? Isn’t feminism all about women’s rights and women being better than men? Emma Watson’s latest speech finally set the record straight, extending the invitation to fight for gender equality to men, as well as women. She calls on men to identify as feminists, to be willing to break through the “manliness” that our society has labelled them with. By working for equality for women, equality for all people, men included, will follow. And that equality will move into the socio-political realm. Women will be able to be driven, without being called “bossy” and men will be able to express their emotions without being “girly.”

Other than just descriptions, sexual harassment and assault will be treated with more respect. When feminism is redefined in our society as striving for gender equality, no longer will myself, or any other woman, have to clutch pepper spray and jump at every noise, fearing a rapist or wrongdoer is hiding in the bushes at night. No longer will we feel devalued by catcalls and car honking and whistling, no longer will we worry whether or not a late night walk with a boy is a bad idea. No longer will the length of a woman’s skirt dictate a man’s thoughts or the inability to say no control a man’s actions. Redefining feminism moves the responsibility to the perpetrator, rather than the victim.

But redefining feminism in the public’s eyes isn’t just about women or just protecting them, it’s about men. Rape, as explained by Andrew Bailey, will stop being “hilarious, but only when it happens to guys.”  When our thoughts on feminism change, the shackles of gender stereotypes will encourage men to be more open about feelings and thoughts and ideas. Feelings won’t be defined to one gender and men will finally be able to express emotion without being ‘less of a man.’  Both men and women will be able to experience a greater quality of life when we shift our focus from extremism to gender equality.

 

So what do we have to do to experience the benefits of redefining feminism? Well, a series of drastic deviations from societal norms must occur. First, the LDS community must realize that feminism has been misrepresented by Ordain Women. The majority of Mormon feminists agree that Ordain Women is a form of radicalism; however, most do not. True feminism is not focused on tearing down the church, the Priesthood, or motherhood. Then, equality must be the foremost point of discussion. When education regarding feminism’s true motives, gender equality, is more openly discussed, then a shift in women’s socio-political stance will change as well. When feminists are accepted as moderate, normal women who strive for equal pay and employment opportunities and rights, then more open discussion about said benefits will be able to happen. Finally, we must recognize feminism as the driving force behind the current rights we have gained. Many women argue that “since they can vote and own property and wear pants,” then feminism is not needed. They are sadly mistaken, since those rights weren’t just magically given, they were fought for, by feminists. When these changes occur, a brighter future will be closer for all.

Feminism is the blood that fuels my socio-political life. Sadly, I’m often asked why I need feminism, because the public has been misinformed about feminism’s true purpose.  I need feminism because sexual harassment is a real thing, because women are objectified in every part of the media, because my sisters in the Middle East are shot for going to school and sold off like animals to men two or three times their age. I need feminism because for three months, I loathed going to school, because the harassment was filed under “hormonal male actions,” and quickly forgotten.  And for that equality to finally succeed, feminism needs to be rethought and redefined in the public’s mind. Because until we are all equal, no on truly is.

 

 

Feminism, Redefined

Here's one option for my opinion editorial, let me know what you think!

Three months, maybe more. That’s how long I had to endure the almost daily harassment from the lunch table across from me. Most days, I wore jeans and a tee shirt, but still, the crass catcalls and comments still poured in from the myriad of boys. No one blinked an eye or even stood up for me, until I stood up for myself. And yet, I’m still asked why I need feminism.

I get asked why a self-respecting LDS woman would want to associate herself with a ideology intent on destroying the family, the Priesthood, and the world as we know it. Even when I convince one individual that “not all feminists are like that,” another three or four anti-feminists rear their angry heads. I feel like Hercules, fighting a never ending hydra of misogyny and hatred. What these women, and men, don’t understand is that feminism is crucial to survival in the socio-political sphere. It’s crucial to true equality. If someone were to ask my why equality hasn’t occurred yet, I would respond, stating that true feminism hasn’t been fully accepted. It’s my belief that in order for true equality to succeed and thrive, that the general public’s perception of feminism must undergo a drastic change.

Feminism recently has been most commonly associated with burning bras and having women become like the Amazons of ancient Greece. The public’s perception of this extreme version of the feminist ideology has been propagated by our love of fanaticism. This distortion of true feminism persuades many men and women alike that in fact, feminism is detrimental to many aspects of the LDS culture, namely, marriage and family and priesthood. However, true feminism is much different than the radical connotation many individuals think about when feminism is brought up. The most true and basic form of this ideology is that true equality is necessary to promote any progress. Wait, true equality? Then why would such a philosophy focus on females, you ask. Much like any other minority group, the rights of the individual are made to match the rights of the privileged. In order to achieve true equality, the historical denial of women’s rights, both socially and politically, need to be identified and rectified. Moreover, since we are still living in a patriarchal society and women are still denied rights, the term “fem“ applies to the true definition, as well as the radical versions. For our society to progress, we have to acknowledge the fact that historical denial of rights has occurred and realize, more importantly, that the more commonly accepted definition among feminists does not include subjugating men and burning bras.

            Because feminism is most commonly associated with the radical version, women’s rights to sociopolitical equality are being denied throughout both the world and the United States. One may argue that the United States and other major developed countries have laws against discrimination, so rights can’t possibly be infringed upon. While laws maybe in place for the protection of women, the denial happens by individuals and often, this goes unreported. Take, for example, the case of a woman being raped. Very few rapes are actually reported, and, as alluded to in the French short film, “The Oppressed Majority,” victims are often patronized and treated with disdain. Another prime example is the social normality of what is acceptable for men and women. If a woman is sexually harassed, she shouldn’t be offended, ‘because he was just complimenting her,’ or ‘that maybe she shouldn’t dress like a piece of meat.’ These examples show that while our society has taken the legal proceedings to protect women, the societal changes haven’t occurred. In the political realm, the same is true. Women in Congress, when taking a stance on a particular issue, are often described as “bossy,” and “______,” while men are called “driven” and passionate.” IN addition to adjectives describing one’s character, women are more often criticized for their decision to run for office, being called “poor mothers and wives.” These examples are overwhelming evidence that feminism is still needed in today’s society. While these denials are prevalent, while challenges to these are often called for, while true feminism is the driving force behind such societal changes, no rewriting of feminism hasn’t been widely accepted by the general public. Why? Because of the continuing negative connotation. If we are to change the sociopolitical denials to unspoken acceptance, then the definition accepted among the world’s population must change.

For a change to take place, several deviations to societal normality must occur.  We, as a society, must be willing to accept that first, feminism is not about destroying the LDS church, the traditional role of women, or any similar social structures. Equality must be recognized and discussed as the main purpose behind feminism, that is, equality for both men and women. Feminism must also be accepted as the driving force behind equal voting rights, equal pay, and equal employment opportunities for men and women alike. In order to truly reach an egalitarian society, in order for true leaps and bounds to be made in the name of sociopolitical progress, feminism must experience a change in connotation, especially in the public’s eye.

            Feminism is an ideology of equality for both genders. It enables women to choose their own path, regardless if it is a male centered one or not. It enables women, and men, to feel strength after sexual harassment and even abuse. It empowers women, giving them the very life breath for sociopolitical involvement.  For this life blood to be fully embraced, feminism requires a drastic change of connotation among the public.

An Engineer's Best Friend

   So, we had an assignment called Style Academy. Jokingly, I assumed it'd be about how to dress and what not, especially since engineers' apparently don't know how to dress. (I don't know who assumed that.)  Anyways, here's basically what I liked and didn't like.

    I worked mainly on the sentence imitation assignment, which was nice, especially since as a writer, I'm always trying to expand my style. I liked that there were examples of sentences and then how it challenged us to do the same. However, the video was tedious and the gall gnats were kind of strange. I think style academy would be more effiecent if done in a more exciting way and also provided a transcript for students who like to read and analyze rather than just watch videos. Here are some of my examples! The numbered ones are the sentence by varying authors and a. is my imitiation.

1)      One times, as a child, in a power failure, his mother found and lit a last candle and there had been a brief hour of rediscovery, of such illumination that space lost its vast dimensions and drew comfortably around them, and they, mother and son, alone, transformed, hoping that the power might not come on again too soon.

a.       Marian thought back to the simpler times, where electricity wasn’t as prevalent, where her and her father could get lost for hours in the aviary, wandering around the choirs of birds, listening to the intimate conversations, and she desperately wished that those were the birds that surrounded her now.

2)      I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there’s gum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mistake I droped my seater in the sink while the water was running and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

a.       The sky was pitch black and the stars could hardly be seen with the canopy of trees and even the most bright fire could hardly been seen within ten paces and the guards didn’t know whether or not they should light more for easier sight and the enemy could be around them at any time.

3)      Everything could so easily lapse into nothingness, yet each year after the death of winter, trees sprout new leaves, the moon wanes but always waxes brilliantly once more, and the serpent, a universal symbol of initiation, sloughs off its old withered skin and comes forth gleaming and fresh.

a.       Marian should have slumped into the bed, yet days still came, duties still had to be performed, depression would set in but the maids always cheered her up, and the life of Mone-ma would still press on as if nothing had happened to change life as the Icari knew it.

4)      You hit the crash cymbal at the end of a fill, as a flourish, but also as a kind of announcement that time-out has, boringly enough, ended, and that the beat must go back to work.

a.       “You say you detest the way we have treated you, as a captive, but you have had our trust, deceptively, misused it, and for that you must be punished and treated like the traitor you are.”

GASCAP Assignment

Nope, no funny titles today. It's been a long day and the like.

Generalization: "How Religious Fundamentalism Enables Sadists Like Elizabeth Smart's Kidnapper" Sarah Seltzer

Sarah Seltzer argues that because several Mormon Fundamentalists have kidnapped and murdered due to "revelations given only to men," patriarchy is oppressing all women in the LDS church.


Analogy: "Passing the People's Religious Test: Mitt Romney's Mormonism is Nothing to Fear."
John B. Judis does a great job here of likening Mormonism and other prominent religions, claiming that since we give other religions the freedom to freely in government elections without criticizing their faith, then we should do the same. He also argues that Mormon beliefs, in his opinion, may be "absurd and irrational. But no more so than the beliefs of many Protestants, Catholics, and Jews."

Sign: "Why I can't Stop Reading Mormon Housewife Blogs." Emily Matchar
This was a cute article to read and was well written. There were several sign arguments and all were well thought out. My favorite was: ""I'm jealous, I want to arrange flowers all day!" She doesn't, really. She's just tired from long days. . . ."

Cause: Abortion's Impact on Society.
Jeff Jacob argues that because abortion has been decriminalized, romance and sexuality has been corrupted, that sex outside of marriage has been increased and  that worthiness has been pushed off onto the back burner.

Authority: "A Government in Thrall to Religion" Frank R. Zindler
While I agree with the general concept of separation of church and state, this is a really bad example of authority. The author abuses his authority and it ends up being a rant.

Principle: "Abortion's Impact on Society"

Jeff again uses the morality of the sanctity of life in order to persuade readers that abortion is inherently wrong.

Introduction: Feminism, Redefined

Intro: Three months, maybe more. That’s how long I had to endure the almost daily harassment from the lunch table across from me. Most days, I wore jeans and a tee shirt, but still, the crass catcalls and comments still poured in from the myriad of boys. No one blinked an eye or even stood up for me, until I stood up for myself. And yet, I’m still asked why I need feminism.

I get asked why a self respecting LDS woman would want to associate herself with a ideology intent on destroying the family, the Priesthood, and the world as we know it. Even when I convince one individual that “not all feminists are like that,” another three or four anti-feminists rear their angry heads. I feel like Hercules, fighting a never ending hydra of misogyny and hatred. What these women, and men, don’t understand is that feminism is crucial to survival in the socio-political sphere. It’s crucial to true equality. If someone were to ask my why equality hasn’t occurred yet, I would respond, stating that true feminism hasn’t been fully accepted. It’s my belief that in order for true equality to succeed and thrive, that the general public’s perception of feminism must undergo a drastic change.

Thesis Proposal: Feminism, Redefined

Here is my current thesis proposal, enjoy!

Thesis Proposal: In order for true equality to succeed, the general public’s perception of Feminism requires a drastic change.

1)      Currently, feminism is associated with images of burning bras, man hating, and turning the world into an intense matriarchy. True feminism desires the equality of sexes in a patriartical society. However, this side is never discussed or reported, because extremism is more desirable in the media, in print, and in every day conversation. Because radical feminism is the most widely accepted version of this ideology, conservative men and women alike both impede the progress of true feminism.

2)      It’s time for change. Because feminism has such a negative connotation, important women’s—and men’s—rights are being denied, either by politics or by society. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, not only do all humans have the right to security of person, but also the right to be free from degrading treatment. In our society, patriarchy and misogyny hurt both men and women. How? Because, take for example, the case of a man who experienced statutory rape as a youth. He couldn’t admit that he was assaulted for a long time, because his peers pressured him into thinking he liked and wanted to have intimate relations with a teacher – or else, he was a queer.

3)      Feminsim is essential to women’s socio-political life. It’s because of feminism that we women have the right to vote, the right to own property, the right to go to college and to choose our own destinies. However, because of the public’s negative mindset, feminism has been denied making these leaps and bounds in the socio-political realm.