Mini Essay Reply 2

MS. 40 ANNIVERSARY : The Time of Our Lives.

In this special addition Ms. Magazine opens up to the readers and lets them have a chance to voice what Ms. really means to them. To many women it meant strength. By reading Ms. other women felt that they were no longer alone, And we are not alone.  We all stand together.

Ms. published many letters from women all different geographical locations, different views, goals, life styles, cultures etc. But they all had one thing in common. Ms. Magazine did something for them. It got into their heads and hearts and showed them that it is okay to have a voice. All women should be heard. By this article putting in letters from the reader is makes us women connected to this wonderful piece of literature. 

Besides the stories is the time-line illustrated below. It shows how women have developed since Ms. has started, what some women have faced in the honor of us as a whole, and how we are still going strong. This is such a beautiful way to honor such a special magazine for women everywhere. 

If it was not for my woman studies teacher - I would have not known about this amazing magazine. But now I do, and I will be renewing my subscription next semester. 

Mini Essay Reply

For Better and for Worse - by Audrey Bilger.

In this article is described the current problems the country  faces with same sex marriages. Organizations such as the federal anti same-sex marriage Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) are making is difficult to pass laws. In this article are two woman who want to get married in the state of California but cannot because of Proposition 8. Proposition 8 declares it illegal for same sex marriage in the state of California. Both plaintiffs Kris Perry and Sandy Stier continuously try to fight this off. As stated in the article: "I'm not trying to get gay married, I'm just trying to get married". 

This bring up the question of does it matter? There is no such thing as gay marriage. A marriage is a bond between one another, same sex or not. Supporters and haters will continue around the world with the debate over same-sex marriage. But as Stier says - "Even though it's taken so long, and we haven't gotten married yet, were winning." This is true. All of the fighting does bring up some positive whether a law gets changed, made, removed or not. By having the power to speak out and educate others about same-sex marriage, the more support it creates. It may be illegal in some states for same-sex marriage, but it is never illegal to voice your opinion about it. And it certainly isn't illegal to keep on trying.

Good luck to these two women, and keep on fighting.

It's A Woman's World. 

MS. MAG REPLY 2

When Ms. Met That Girl - By Letty Cottin Pogrebin 

This article is based on the start, finish and importance of the (what I would consider) "Free To Be, You and Me" empire. Letty Pogrebin with the help of others started the Free To Be as a way to show kids that gender does not matter. Her opinion that every child should have the freedom to play with whatever toys, sing whatever song, and be who ever they would like regardless of gender is something others should support. 

She started her "Free to Be.. You and Me" Empire first with tapes and songs, then a book version, and so on to become a most loved movie. Pogrebin's idea of freedom as a child grew and spread very quickly. Every child was loving and feeling great with this idea. It took off pressure to be something you are not, and that is something that children struggle with everyday while growing up.

Although this woman did something great for children and the idea of a no gender child development society is spectacular, you still see gender bias every where. As stated in her essay "When Ms. Met That Girl", Pogrebin says "Tell the sales clerk you are looking for a toy for a 9 year old and you wont be asked, 'Is the child interested in science? Art? Action? Fantasy? Construction?' You'll be asked, 'Boy or girl?'". 

This is all very true. Our society is so biased towards what gender associates with what item that it honestly shows poor parenting. A child should not grow up to know what is strictly a boys or girl, but should have the freedom to express themselves however they want. 

I know my mother let me and my brother play dress up. I would put him in tutu's and sparkles and he would laugh and dance and play. I also have seen my cousin grow up by a strict navy father, who told him he may never like the color pink, but only blue, because blue is for boys and pink is for girls. (SAYS WHO?) This child struggles with many anxieties and have much problem getting along with other children. I do think the gender bias has an effect on a child, and proof is stated right there.

MS. MAG. REPLY

"Women's Lives in the Balance" By Beth Baker.

What this article of the Fall 2012 Ms. Magazine focuses on is the power the women have and how our votes are so important to the future of our rights. Beth Baker explores the ways that extremists are taking advantage of women's rights such as abortion, birth control, how much me make compared to men, where we are "labeled" in the work for and so on. Even though statistics show that more woman have voted than men in the past few years, we are still not equal of them.

The point of this article is to catch the attention of woman everywhere to make them aware that we need the votes to support woman. We must vote to keep our rights and to change rights to better women's lives. Nursing homes are becoming increasingly expensive and are also being shut down because of lack of funding. This means that women in the future are going to need to pay more out of their pocket. Also by closing these homes, home-care helper jobs are being cut which are mostly woman.

The minimum wage still ranges from $7.25-$8.25 with woman still only making a portion of each of those dollars. This is not fair and we must step up to demand equal rights and an increased minimum wage. How are we as women supposed to support or even build families with no money. That is what men want us to do, yet we don't have the support from them or the money to do it because we do not make as much as them.

This years election is critical to woman. The 2012 votes are needed by the feminist and activists to ensure the safety of the woman in the United States as well as else where. We must stand together and support one another to keep our rights. Please vote in 2012 and help support women's rights. 

"Its A Woman's World"

You Will Not Bring Me Down

Just this past week I had to end my relationship with my boyfriend of two years because I found out he has been cheating on me with my best friend. Lovely how cruel people can be. 

Now my question is what is the point of cheating? 

Why wouldn't you just leave me and then go to her?

That would show the slightest bit of respect but obviously that is non-existing. So yes, its been a tough week. Not surprising the she had horrible things to say to me, including that she's not sorry and basically could care less if it hurt me or not. 

Aren't we as women supposed to stick together?

 I would like to hope so. I'm not even mad at her, just disappointed, But that's life. Things happen that hurt you, but I have the strength to look at the bigger picture and move on. Clearly I do not deserve to be treated and hurt like that, and if both of them are willing to do that to someone who has always been there for them, then they do not deserve to have me as a friend. Their actions may hurt but no one will ever bring me down. It's a woman's world. It's my world. And I refuse to let immaturity and poor actions effect my life. On that note a big f* you, I will move on I have moved on, and this will only make me stronger. 

Guests Deliver Important Information

Last Thursday my woman's studies class had two guests. Their names are Sargent Kevin Albanese and Trooper David Aresco of the Connecticut State Police Computer Crimes Unit. What they presented to my class was amazing and eye opening. They discussed what they did on a regular basis which is track down and deal with child exploitation. Both of these men deal with the horrible things pedophiles do to young girls. They both see and hear horrible things, but still it is their duty to put emotion aside, represent their unit, and get their job done.

To me, both of these men are heroes. They live their lives trying to help others. They push for justice as far as authority will let them and they deal with the crazy people who are out their in the world creating crimes.

Shown to my class was a presentation about the possibilities of putting information on the internet. Many of my classes this year at college have had presentations about the use of social media and networking sites. Obviously there are the basic dangers of bad pictures and being hit on by strange men, however, I was unaware that people can hack into a computer to turn on the camera without you knowing. This scared me the most. Technology is still being updated, and new ways of hacking are being found. Both of these men made me very aware of the things that could happen by putting information on the internet. I thank them very much for their time and information.