Ijeoma Oluo’s “So You Want to Talk About Race”
Key Words: Race, Racism, Systems, Unprofessional, Whiteness
In Ijeoma Oluo’s “So you Want to Talk about Race,” one of the main purposes of the video is to talk about how systems are made and adapted for white people. A major point is how systems and professional looks were made for white people. “It was the bosses who told me that I was too loud, the comments that my hair was too ethnic for the office” (1:54). The idea of what is professional in the workplace was made for white men and women. Many times colored women get discriminated against in the workplace because their hair is seen as unprofessional. Although their hair might be seen as unprofessional in the workplace, outside many people are intrigued by it. They try to touch and play with colored women’s hair.
Connection
Solange’s song “Don’t Touch My Hair,” goes along with part of the text that explains why black women do not want others to touch it. “You know this hair is my shit”, (1:05) is a quote from Solange’s song, showing that many women are proud of their hair. The game of Hair Nah by Momo Pixel shows what many women with different hair go through everyday. Having to stop people from touching and messing up their hair.
Audre Lorde “Age, Race, Class and Sex: Women Redefining Difference”
Key Words: Oppressed, Differences, Whiteskin privilege, Violence, Oppressor
In “Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Redefining Difference” by Audre Lorde, the text explains how different identities overlap and affect people, especially those of color. One of the texts point is how black men use violence to prove manliness. “Exacerbated by racism and the pressures of powerlessness, violence against Black women and children often becomes a standard within our communities, one by which manliness can be measured” (pg. 120). Black men will use violence to prove they are manly to white men and as long as this continues, men will continue to dominate women. Although there are other topics discussed in this text, this quote grabbed my attention because a common stereotype for black men is that they are violent. I believe it is important to understand why some men abuse women and their children.
The Combahee River Collective Statement
Key Words: Feminism, Liberation, Abuse, Racism, Isolation
In thThe statment, “They realize that they might not only lose valuable and hardworking allies in their struggles but that they might also be forced to change their habitually sexist ways of interacting with and oppressing Black women,” (pg. 4-5) shows that to change many men would need to change their current ways and views. They would have to start seeing women as their equal, not as only a housewife, or only as mothers. In my interpretation of this quote, many men do not support feminism becuase of the fear of having to change. They fear Black feminism because they fear women will no longer need men and they will leave.
Connection
From the songs of this week, “Keep Ya Head Up,” by Tupac shows how society need to start treating women better. Men need to stop raping, leaving women to raise children alone, and to stop taking away from women, since everyone came from a women. “Time to heal our women, be real to our women” (1:08), is part of the lyrics to Tupac’s song, saying we need to be real and help our women heal from the unequal treatment they have suffered from everyone. This song goes along with the statement from the Combahee River Collective Statment because they both talk about how men have to change their views and ways in order for growth to happen.
The song “Four Women” by Nina Simone could be connected to the themes of all our texts. The different verses of the song talk about her hair, how her father forced upon her mother, and about how her life had been rough because of her identity. Having a rough life because of a colored women identity is a topic in all of our readings this week.
“My life has been rough. I’m awfully bitter these days”
(Simone, 3:54).
Questions: Why do men act one way when they are with only women but act differently when there are other men? Do you think it has to do with being seen as weak?
I think anyone’s motivations for acting one way with one group and another way with another group is mostly rooted in societal views. Traditionally, men are seen as more masculine in society’s eyes. Their attempts to present themselves as more masculine around other men could alter how they act with them versus with women. Around other men, they may seek to seem as strong as possible because that’s what they view as acceptable. Those same standards may not apply when they are with women, since according to society, they possess more nurturing characteristics.
Hey Fhernandez,
This is George Ward. I really enjoyed reading your blog post. To answer your question, I think most men are more masculine when around other men because men are seen in society as strong, resilient and commanding. However, when interacting with women, men may feel compassionate or empathetic toward women because of societies view of women as emotional and caring.