Post Class Reflection 3/7

We began talking about the Barnard Conference, a conference that took place in 1982 during the Feminist sex wars. We discussed how many of the debates and conversations that took place at this conference are still relevant today. In fact, there is a conference that is very similar to this one that still takes place with similar topics. When discussing questions on the invitation to the presenters, we discussed how the question about daring to question traditional sexuality and sexual arrangements of the current political climate. This is incredibly relevant today in our political climate with examples such as Kavanaugh, the President, and many other government representatives who have been accused of sexual harassment. When discussing the workshops, we began with the discussion of male gaze, specifically in pornography. We debated whether the male gaze could ever be used by women or appropriated to benefit women. We then discussed the connections between pornography, advertising and Hollywood cinema and anti-abortion activists. We considered the question: how do you respond to someone who argues against facts? We then read Rubin’s piece that criticizes sadomachism through a radical feminist analysis and “Thinking Sex.” Natural vs. unnatural categories in sex are damaging yet still a huge part of our culture. Is sexuality an identity or an action? If someone defines themselves as their sexuality, then it would be there identity. We finished the class discussing BDSM and racism.