My identity and community is made up of being a huge advocate for equity, combating hate, and supporting the LGBT community. Both of my brothers are in the LGBT community and that has brought this community very close to my heart since I was in middle school when they both came out.
I am bringing a lot of excitement for all that I have yet to learn. I have loved every Women’s studies course I have ever taken and I hope to leave this one with new perspectives and knowledge to help me be even more compassionate towards others and increase my ability to combat hate and suffering in this life. My only fear going into this class would be that I am an emotional and passionate person and I get embarrassed sometimes by my inability to control these emotions in front of classmates!
Feminist conflict to me is all the differing opinions, backgrounds, and history that feminists bring into an arena and how these will always clash. I see these internal battles as feminists facing against one another when trying to make change. Some major historical conflicts have been with white feminists exclusion of black and gay women. This is an example of a conflict due to exclusivity, which isn’t what feminism is about. Though feminist conflicts are necessary to both improve feminism and what it can accomplish, as well as standing for inclusivity and standing against those who wish to cause harm.
I am really excited to discuss the unit on “Feminist Approaches to Conflict, Abuse, and Harm”. This not only sounds interesting, but I also think it will have a practical use for me since I hope to work in organizations that try to deal with daily conflict, abuse, and harmful situations.
The only thing I am a bit nervous about is the “Challenges to Trans Exclusion” part, since one of my brothers is trans I know some of these readings are going to make me so angry and upset that it will be hard to see other sides/opinions.