“Androgynous”
Androgynous is a song I never knew I needed to hear. The lyrics, in my opinion, speaks about how in the end the once uncommon will be common and no one is going to be “normal” in a once was normal society. For me in touches into the difference and similarities of the “pink and blue syndrome” that was talked about in the Prism of Gender which I will talk about in a few moments. And somewhat uses reverse psychology in how what it would look like if there were no gender norms.

Prism of Gender by Catherine G. Valentine.
I really enjoyed reading this short story about the different viewpoints of gender. In the story Vantine talks about the blue and pink syndrome, which I am fascinated by because it really hits where we never know how embedded it is in our everyday lives. A quote from the story says “…The “pink and blue syndrome” is so embedded with in our culture and, consequently, within individual patterns of thinking and feeling that most of us cannot remember when we learned gender stereotypes and expectations or came to think about sex, gender, and sexuality as natural, immutable, and fixed.” As I was telling a fellow classmate I had an incident where my sister wanted my niece (her daughter) to be more girly. I think that in today’s society, even though this is still a major issue we are dealing with, simple things like correcting a person when they are using the incorrect term or simply just not used to things outside of the “pink and blue syndrome” helps a lot. Well to reiterate not so much as correct the person or people but educate them. And this book would be an awesome educator.

Theorizing difference from Multiracial Feminism

I was really excited to blog about this story because being a black woman in this society I feel as though I see feminism differently than anyone else. I feel as though I have to work twice as hard to get people to treat me a certain way whether it be in the workplace, school, or even in a public setting period. Simply because I am Black, and I am a woman. “We recognize, of course, certain problems inherent in an uncritical use of the multiracial label. First, the perspective can be hampered by a biracial model in which only African Americans and whites are seen as racial categories and all other groups are viewed through the prism of cultural differences.” This statement speaks so much because this is another thing that is so engraved into our everyday society. But I also feel as though, African American women like me have to fight to be equal to other race women and then have to turn around and be equal to men as well.

The purpose of Kaleidoscope Is to show how gender is in sociology and related fields to show the “construction of gender.” It also goes over three themes(prisms, patterns, and possibilities). Prism is for which gender is shaped, patterns is for which pattern each gender takes, and the last is for the endless possibilities for social change. Readers will learn more about themselves and there relationships with other people. Theorizing Difference from Multicultural feminism has similarities with kaleidoscope, it’s mainly about sexual orientation, racial identity, physical ability, and places. The song Androgynous is a song that spoke for thousands of people hoping for gender relations to get better.
There’s a movie I watched a while ago called “Call me by your name” which was about a younger guy and a older guy of the same gender falling in love and not caring about what other people thought about them.
Complex
Deviation
Gender construction
Do you think there’s a difference between friendships between a man and a man, man and a women, or women and a women?

The Prism of Gender

By: Catherine G. Valentine.

The Prism of Gender is a very detailed and interesting insight into the history of male and female gender and how people’s perceptions of gender, sex and sexuality has essentially become unchanged of how they view gender and sex. I think the overall point Catherine Valentine was trying to make in The Prism of Gender is that gender has always been this stigma of a male/man and female/woman; males present masculine tendencies and have dominant male characteristics such as playing in rough sports, working in dangerous jobs and being the provider for their family; females present feminine tendencies and are looked at as someone who is valued and treated differently and unfairly than a man, someone who can’t do what a man has done for many centuries in this country and their only duty is to take care of the children and do house hold chores.

One important point that stood out to me that Valentine mentions in the Prism of Gender is when she states that “We refer to the American two-and-only-two sex/gender/sexuality system as the pink and blue syndrome (Schilt & Westbrook, 2009). This syndrome is deeply lodged in our minds and feelings and is reinforced through everyday talk, performance and experience. It’s everywhere. Any place, object, discourse, or practice can be gendered. Children’s birthday cards come in pink and blue.” (The Prism of Gender, p.4). This statement Valentine makes made me think of all the birthday’s I had as a child and the toys, objects and other material things I had as a kid and how everything I wanted, I wanted it in the color blue, such as having my entire room painted in blue, the Lego’s I played with were blue, my clothes, shoes, were mostly blue. Now, you may be wondering well that’s no coincidence, you favorite color is blue. Yes it is, but every memory or birthday I can remember as a child has always been the color blue which I think represents the stigma that me being a male or boy in this case, the color blue represents a male gender.

Theorizing Difference From Multiracial Feminism

By: Maxine Baca Zinn and Bonnie Thornton Dill.

Zinn and Dill in Theorizing Difference From Multiracial Feminism talk about how women of color are treated differently not only because of their gender but also because of their race and how that transpires in a male dominated world. I think the overall point that Zinn and Dill were trying to make in Theorizing Difference From Multiracial Feminism is that there are other social factors that have a different influence on females. One of those factors that Zill and Dill list is race.

One of the things that stood out to me was multiracial feminism. Zinn and Dill state in their writing that “Multiracial feminism asserts that gender is constructed by a range of interlocking inequalities what Patricia Hill Collins calls a “matrix of domination.” The idea of a matrix is that several fundamental systems work with and through each other. People experience race, class, gender, and sexuality differently depending upon their social location in the structure of race, class, gender and sexuality. Multiracial feminism also examines the simultaneity of systems in shaping women’s experience and identity. The matrix of domination seeks to account for the multiple ways that women experience themselves as gendered, raced, classed, and sexualized. Multiracial feminism emphasizes the intersectional nature of hierarchies at all levels of social life. Class, race, gender and sexuality are components of both social structure and social interaction.” (Theorizing Difference From Multiracial Feminism, 326, 327).

The connection between The Prism of Gender and Theorizing Difference From Multiracial Feminism is that both readings discuss gender and how males and females are treated differently when it comes to different social outcomes. On one hand, you have gender being discussed in how specifically Americans define gender and the different concepts and tools they use to differentiate males from females. On the other hand, you have gender being looked at from a racial standpoint and how it affects women of color.

Keywords:

Kaleidoscopic, Dichotomy, Transvestism

My Question to You

What is your take on how gender is defined in western countries, specifically in America? Do you think gender is still taught in today’s society?

“The Prism of Gender” by Catherine G. Valentine(2020)

This reading was my favorite and made me think about all the things around me and how our society has basically almost gendered everything. In the reading Catherine mentions the “pink and blue syndrome”, as she says “This syndrome is deeply lodged in our minds and feelings and is reinforced through everyday talk, performance, and experience. It’s everywhere. Any place, object, discourse, or practice can be gendered.”(p.4) She then goes on into mentioning some examples of how the “pink and blue syndrome” appears throughout our life. I can say this is definitely how I was raised. As a kid I definitely didn’t think much of it or cared but at the same time part of me did without me knowing it at the time. I remember growing up hating the color pink because I saw it as oh it’s a “girly” color because that’s what I was told and I just didn’t like the idea of it being a “girls only” color. In reality it’s just a color though but society made it to where we started to categorize everything into feminine and masculine.

The overall article is challenging the idea of what gender is and how “it’s a human invention which how our society organizes itself and allocates resources.”(p.6)

My question that had me thinking when reading this article was Who started to categorize everything into genders and why?

“Androgynous” by The Replacements

I found that this weeks songs message was very similar to “The Prism Of Gender” message. How everyone is equal and the things you wear and how you act shouldn’t be the defining factor as to if you are a male or female because we are all just humans. We are allowed to express ourselves however we however we chose to do so because that’s our business and no one else.

Key Words: gender, woman, human, pink & blue, girly

“Theorizing Difference from Multiracial Feminism” by Maxine Becca Zinn & Bonnie Thornton Dill (1996)

Once we acknowledge that all women are affected by the racial order of society then it becomes clear that the insights of multiracial feminism provide an analytical framework, not solely for understanding the experiences of women of color but for understanding all women, and men, as well.

(p. 330)

I decided to use this quote out of the text because to me it was saying that we are all being affected by the same problem just at different levels when it should be all at one point(if that makes sense). I had a hard time understanding this text but took in the parts that made more sense to me. Women of color have been fighting to have their voice and ideas heard and to be seen as equal as a woman who’s white. Will that ever happen though? Not only does it talk about women of color but also women of a different class because they as well are being challenged and look down upon.

(sorry for making this short but feel free to comment and help me understand more)

Let’s take a dive into Western cultures stereotypes because, if not all of us, many of us have been influenced by or affected by gender stereotypes. Society wants those who don’t fit their stereotypes to fit inside their “perfect” world and not challenge the beliefs of what has already been engraved. I will not be conditioned, and neither will you, so let’s break that cycle starting NOW!

Catherine G. Valentine (2020), “The Prism of Gender”

Key Words: masculinity, femininity, stereotype, heterosexual

The Prism of Gender by Catherine G. Valentine speaks on the complexity of gender, sex, and sexuality. Many people across the world, more specifically in America, have grown up learning that masculinity and femininity have a certain look or set of characteristics. In the reading, Valentine states,

“We are taught that testosterone, a beard, big muscles, and a penis make a man, while estrogen, breasts, hairless legs, and a vagina make a woman”.

(Valentine 3)

In Western cultures (The United States), stereotypes such as those quoted are taught at a young age. There isn’t an “in between” or simplicity when it comes to gender, sex, or sexuality. In America, it’s taught to be simple, so it’s easier to explain. This logic is flawed because every man doesn’t have to have a beard or muscles to be labeled a man. And someone’s genitals shouldn’t automatically place them in a category that is scientifically or biologically correct.

The world we live in isn’t just blue or pink. It is deeply lodged in people’s minds, and as Valentine states, “It’s everywhere. Any place, object, discourse, or practice can be gendered” (Valentine 4). Jobs can be gendered, wages can be gendered, the clothes we choose to wear can be gendered, and even the way we speak can be gendered. Everything in life changes, including the people in it, but society isn’t keeping up with the shifts.

Multiracial Feminism

Maxine Baca Zinn and Bonnie Thornton Dill (1996), “Theorizing Difference from Multiracial Feminism”

Key Words: feminism, race, culture, hierarchies

In “Theorizing Difference from Multiracial Feminism” by Maxine Baca Zinn and Bonnie Thornton Dill, multiracial feminism is examined and shown how it shapes women’s experiences and identities. The reading also mentioned the differences between hierarchies at all levels of social life. Theorizing Difference from Multiracial Feminism states that,

“Women and men are differently embedded in locations created by these cross-cutting hierarchies. As a result, women and men throughout the social order experience different forms of privilege and subordination, depending on their race, class, gender, and sexuality”.

(Zinn and Dill, 327)

The social order creates a disadvantage for women because of those things listed: race, class, gender, and sexuality. Similar to what Valentine said about how “any place, object, discourse, or practice can be gendered” (4). Men are at the top of these hierarchies, and this puts women at a disadvantage. Women aren’t usually the first pick for male-dominated jobs, and many women don’t get paid as much as their male coworkers even if they hold the same job title. According to the reading, the hierarchy goes from whites, members of the upper classes, and to males (Zinn and Dill, 327). At the end of it all, multiracial feminism applies to racial ethnic women and men because they are affected by this too. Men are still being stereotyped in these types of situations based on their gender, race, and class.

Movie: Hidden Figures

The movie Hidden Figures, which was based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s book, shined the spotlight on three black women who made history working at NASA during the space race in the 1960’s. During their positions, they faced racism and sexism, but it didn’t stop them from using their platforms to help other women advance their careers in positions that were predominately male-dominated. I feel like this movie fits the readings for this week because, to this day, women are still discriminated against, and jobs still downplay women’s abilities in comparison to a man. Women of color still face racism and discrimination, and on top of that, women as a whole are still disadvantaged. Women have more opportunities now, but that still doesn’t hide the hierarchy or division.

Ask Yourself:

How does stereotypes pushed onto men and women shape our life experiences? How does race, class, gender, or sexuality affect the way we identify ourselves within society?

The Prism of Gender

Keywords: Gender, Sexuality, Society, Femininity, Masculinity

“Do all the men you know fit the ideal of masculinity all the time, in all relationships, and in all situations? Do all the women in your life consistently behave in stereotypical feminine fashion? Do you always fit into one as opposed to the other culturally approved gender category?” (Valentine, 4)

In Catherine G. Valentine’s excerpt titled, The Prism of Gender, the western views on gender are challenged. There are a number of cultural instances where the overall view on gender greatly differs from what is known throughout the west.

Valentine emphasizes the fluctuating nature of gender and the things that are usually associated with it. It is mentioned that a woman isn’t always sweet and submissive and a man isn’t always strong and silent.

There will always be characteristics that fuse and merge, ultimately nullifying the idea that only one gender possesses a set of characteristics.

Gender is a complex thing that goes beyond everything that America has presented to be. There are intersex individuals that destroy the notion that gender is a ‘one or the other’ thing. Science provides a much more complex understanding of gender as it is traditionally known. It is important to assess these differences and think critically about what exactly makes gender so complex. As previously mentioned, a woman isn’t always submissive and a man isn’t always strong. Additionally, someone’s genitalia isn’t a proper representation of who a person truly is.

Theorizing difference from multiracial feminism

Keywords: Inequality, Race, Feminism

In Maxine Zinn and Bonnie Dill’s excerpt titled, Theorizing Difference from Multiracial Feminism, feminism is discussed in relation to race.

Some ideas surrounding feminism weren’t inclusive of women of color. Feminism has been associated with more Eurocentric ideals. This only minimized the ability for women of color to properly indulge themselves in the matter. There are several different cultural views and differences in perspective that will ultimately shape the view of feminism. The differences in class and background need to be acknowledged within feminism and in general.

“Our critiques grew out of the widespread concern about the exclusion of women of
color from feminist scholarship and the misinterpretation of our experiences, 1 and ultimately ‘out of the very discourses, denying, permitting, and producing difference'” (Zinn & Dill, 321). There are misinterpretations of the experience of women of color. Instead of acknowledging the specifics of their experiences, only gender related subjects are mentioned. It is clear that in addition to the inequality that women of color experience as women, their race plays a role in the inequality they experience.

The replacements- Androgynous

“Here come Dick, he’s wearing a skirt Here comes Jane, y’know she’s sporting a chain”

This song seeks to get rid of the idea that certain things belong to only one gender. In reference to the lyrics about skirts and chains, those things don’t belong to one gender. Later on in the song, It is mentioned that tomorrow Dick will wear pants and Jane will wear a dress. This demonstrates how fluid people can be when it comes to how they may choose to present themselves. There is no right or wrong way and the song emphasizes that fact.

Making Connections

Both of the readings heavily discuss cultural differences in relation to feminism. The excerpt Valentine makes a point to mention what some of the customs outside of American customs are like. This proves great insight on the different views on gender and how much it varies from place to place. The excerpt by Zinn and Dill’s main point is all about cultural differences. It touches on just how much the lack of true interpretations and representation can lead to exclusion even throughout feminism. The song by The Replacements connects back to the ideas emphasized in Valentine’s excerpt. It further solidifies the idea that the traditional ideas of gender and the roles within it can be stretched and altered.

Question

Has your view on gender changed significantly over the past year? Why or why not?

Living in a world that is just black and white I never thought that I would be open to walking in the gray area. The readings this week really opened my mind to new thoughts. Not about who I am as a person, but allowing me an opportunity to learn something new. Now am I understanding everything that I’m reading and coming across absolutely not. However, I’m willing to take this ride in order to learn. The Prism of Gender written by Catherine Valentine started out by stating that “We are taught that a real woman is female -bodied, feminine, and heterosexual; a real man is male -bodied, masculine, and heterosexual; and any deviation is strange, unnatural, and potentially dangerous (pg.3). Now I’m not going to lie I was taught these things for a early age and I still live by this. However, I believe now as an adult that you are who you are and can love who you want and be whatever you want to be in live because that’s your business. Besides who am I to judge. Valentine goes further but stating that it just a United States thing where people are extremely critical and judgement about gender. In all honesty in the first page of the text I agreed with everything because become a former nursing student you view gender in biological terms because that is what you’re taught. I didn’t understand the sociological radar concept, and I never thought that I do gender on a daily basis. So on to the reading Theorizing Differences in Multiracial Feminism, this text pulled on how women of color are treated and discriminated against. Women of color have more to prove and fight for because in so many cases they’re overlooked. This quote in the text stood out to me, “Speaking simultaneously from “within and against” both women’s liberation and antiracist movement, we have insisted on the need to challenge the system of domination, not merely as gendered subjects but as women whose lives are affected by our location in multiple hierarchies. (pg. 321). The reason that this statement stood out to me is because women of color have always had to stand up and fight for the things that they want and believe in. As a woman of color this resonated with me. The main argument between the two text for me is equality. Everyone wants to be treated with respect and fairly without judgement or consequence.

Keywords: Gender Fluidity, Femininity, Masculinity, Sexuality

In Catherine G. Valentine’s “The Prism of Gender,” she explains the gender beliefs of the west, such as the United States of America. She goes on to explain that western cultures believe there are only two genders, males, who are rough, heterosexual, and masculine, and females, who are feminine, heterosexual, and submissive. This ”pink and blue syndrome” as she states, categorizes the two sexes, sexualities, stereotypes, and genders. The color pink is given to females, pink toys, pink clothing, pink bathroom sign, etc, while blue is given to males. Females are submissive, feminine, and girly while males are rough and boyish. As Valentine states, “This syndrome is deeply lodged in our minds and feelings and is reinforced through everyday talk, performance, and experience” (4), because it is so normal, people do not realize they genderize things, toys, places, etc. However, Valentine states, “Research shows that the behavior of people, no matter who they are, depends on time and place, context and situation-not fixed sex/gender /sexuality differences” (5), this shows that a person will have traits from female or males depending on who they are around with. This text shows that gender stereotypes, roles, and identities can not be categorized into two parts or colors. Gender is a kaleidoscope prism with multiple colors and shapes. 

In my experience, the “pink and blue syndrome” is really normalized in the United States. Growing up, my mother was more of ‘she’s a kid, it is good for her to get dirty and play’, however, my aunts would always get me in trouble saying I should not play outside with my male cousins and instead should play with my barbies inside the house. 

Key Words: Multiracial, Difference, Inequalities, Feminism

Maxine Baca Zinn and Bonnie Thornton Dill’s “Theorizing Difference from Multiracial Feminism” explain what multiracial feminism is and how it includes women of color, women, and men in different systems of domination. Multiracial feminism includes the different situations of women of color and they include their history and culture. It was meant to get women of color the same rights and privileges as feminists, whose first priority was white women. Zinn and Dill state “Multiracial feminism grew out of socialist feminist thinking” (235), these feminists wanted the same as other feminists, however, they wanted to include colored women, who were of different places and social classes. “ We speak in many voices, with inconsistencies that are born of our different social locations” ( Zinn and Dill, 326)  this statement shows that although these multiracial feminists were born in different situations, they all wanted the same as other men, white women, and first-class citizens.  Finally, Zinn and Dill stated, “Once we acknowledge that all women are affected by the racial order of society, then it becomes clear that the insights of multiracial feminism provide an analytical framework, not solely for understanding the experiences of women of color but for understanding all women, and men, as well” (330), multiracial feminism was not only to benefit colored women but it was meant to benefit everyone. 

Both of these texts show that gender and feminism are deeper and more complex. Gender is not just about being a boy or a girl. It includes traits, identities, etc, that can pertain to either. Feminism is not just about white women, it includes, women, men, and those of different social and cultural backgrounds.

The Theme of “Androgynous” by The Replacements

I think the theme in “Androgynous” is to be happy and love yourself as you are. Both Dick and Jane have unisex hair and wear skirts, dresses, and pants, however, they do not care about being outcasts or being made fun of. I think this song is relevant because many people today love themselves and do not care about wearing clothing that is advertised for another gender. The song “Androgynous” by The Replacements would most likely have a connection with “The Prism of Gender” by Catherine G. Valentine because they both talk about not genderizing clothing, hairstyle, colors, etc. 

Questions:

1. Do you ever get told you should dress or act more feminine or masculine, and how does it make you feel? 
2. How would you teach older or new generations that gender is more complex than the “pink and blue syndrome”?

Keywords: Inequality / Intersectionality / Gender

Zinn and Dill – Theorizing Difference from Multiracial Feminism

Within society, the idea of feminism seems to be reduced to a single idea: women fighting for equality. In actuality, the ‘equality’ feminists fight for is entirely different depending on multiple different outside factors. What may make a white, middle class woman equal could mean nothing to a woman of color, or a woman in a differing social class. In Theorizing Difference from Multiracial Feminism by Maxine Baca Zinn and Bonnie Thornton Dill, the idea of hierarchies- and their effects on feminism- are thoroughly examined and analyzed. Zinn and Dill explain the ideas of hierarchies present within our society, such as race and class, and how it affects modern feminism. This work truly changed my perspective on what feminism is as a movement, and how it may change depending on a woman’s circumstances within the United States. The moment we begin to analyze and deconstruct the layers of inequalities caused by societal hierarchies is when we as a society may understand that feminism means much more than the simple idea of ‘female equality.’

Catherine G. Valentine (2020), “The Prism of Gender”

This week’s text from Catherine G. Valentine, “The Prism of Gender”, really spoke to me. In the text, Valentine explains that human behavior is never set in stone. Instead, it changes over time, proving to be “flexible, adaptive, and malleable”. The way that the concept of gender in our society is viewed as something that is black or white proves to simply be false. There is no one behavior that is ‘female’ or ‘male’; instead, there is simply human behavior- something entirely unique to the individual person. However, this belief is still permeated throughout the typical person’s perception of gender, described as ‘pink and blue syndrome.’ This syndrome is ever-prevalent in today’s society, as seen most heavily in the government’s ever-continuing strive for control over transgender identities and gender expression.

This topic brings me to my own personal experience. I like Valentine’s assessment that gender is simply a “performance or masquerade” that people put on everyday. I experience this myself in my day-to-day life, as I tend to present myself more femininely in school or at work simply because I feel it is a way to protect myself. In actuality, I do not think I am ‘feminine’ nor ‘masculine’; my experience is instead unique to myself, in a way that is less about gender and more about they way I exhibit human behavior. Though my experience with my own gender is complicated, it is not reliant on my ‘gendered’ behavior and what others expect me to act like based on my identity.

The Replacements – Androgynous

I really enjoyed this week’s song. It is a wonderful example of an older source that speaks about the gendered experience, and how it is truly fluid. I find myself relating to this song, on top of finding it enjoyable. It is a good representation of the dynamic nature of gender expression, and how it may not always be linked to our ideas of gender identity.

My question this week:

Do you find that you tend to put on a more ‘feminine’ or ‘masculine’ personality depending on the social setting you are in, and if you do, why do you believe you do?

The article “Prism of Gender,” states the notion that the world sees gender as two and only two genders; masculine and feminine. There are only two sexes; female and male, two sexualities heterosexual and homosexual; so forth and so on. The western culture has a strict belief about sex, gender, sexual orientation, etc. They believe that pink is for girls and women, and blue is for boys and men.

Throughout the article “Theorizing difference from multiracial feminism,” I found that the quote “live and let live” really resonated with me. It just made me think about how people should just live their lives and not worry about others and what they do.

Androgynous is more so about men wanting to be free in themselves and have an appearance of a woman.

Do you care about what society thinks of you? Why or why not?