Sexism v Racism

Recently I have become involved/studying more about feminism and gender equality.

For those of you who know me well you know that when I set off for college (the first time) I went to study "Creative Expression and Racial Relations/Social Justice." Really, that was the title I gave to my major (the Gallatin School at NYU let you create your own major). I have always been really interested in race relations, especially the ways which race operates in the United States. This stems, I believe, from growing up in two different countries where race is treated differently but with some similarities, as well as from growing up in predominately non-white neighborhoods but going to school in predominately white institutions. So, come my first year of school the majority of my courses pertained to studying race and racism, the African diaspora, and the legacies of racism that the institution of chattel slavery created in the United States.

This however, has been a limited scope of 'social justice.' I believe that as a male in this patriarchal society it has been easier for me to be aware of racial injustices and remain relatively ignorant to gender and sexually based injustices. Luckily I've become more aware over the last couple of years to the issues faced by women in this country, as well as those outside of heteronormative social construct. (Wow, that sounded like college talk). I've become aware of actions I'd been taking which made me not only complacent in this inequality but an actual agent of sexism and gender-bias. Luckily, like when I was first studying racism and it's proponents I have been slowly chipping away and I believe become a more active advocate of general equality.

I have to thank my sisters (congratulations on the marriage!) and my girlfriend for helping me take a more honest and revealing look at my actions and the general power structures that are in place. I appreciate having conversations around very general ideas of sexism, such as why cat-fighting is encouraged by both males and females, to more emotionally charged and personal revelations about customs of "picking up" women and things of that sort. One of the interesting and hardest parts for me to come to terms with has been the intersection of race and gender struggles. Often times these two positions are aligned in their fight for equality, yet they have often been pitted against each other and used to suppress one another. I had an interesting debate, for instance, while applying a collage to my coffee table, about whether or not it was appropriate to place an image of Huey P. Newton next to a white woman with a crown... Because both of these positions come with emotional ties and are so charged, it becomes important for each side to remove itself and be able to see the other side of the argument. I do not believe that these two positions are fundamentally opposed, but it is tricky to navigate the way that different systems of power play out in various scenarios.

Anyway, I wanted to reflect, because I heard some particularly offensive gender-based comment made by a professor today, and I think if I had heard it a few years ago I wouldn't have even noticed that it was offensive or have taken action against it. Anyway, I encourage everyone to be more aware of all types of inequality in their everyday lives. It will only lead to us all creating a more equal world, (and I hate the word 'tolerance.' Being able to 'tolerate' something means begrudgingly accepting differences. I think we should strive for something more than that).

OH! Also, don't let me come off high-and-mighty or self important. I often times throw these to the wind, make inappropriate jokes and then kick myself about it later. I believe it's important to realize there is a separation from joking to point out inequality and joking in ignorance. I also believe that the receiving audience has a lot to do with whether something is appropriate or not. Please don't go straight from this post to any of my "Today's Jokes." I don't like to be an immediate hypocrite.

Anyway,
Thanks.