Video Game: Gone Home

I chose to watch the video game on YouTube instead of playing it myself because not only am I a gamer or someone who plays video games for fun, but I get severely nauseated while playing. I felt good watching the game on YouTube and it didn’t affect my sensory balance as much. The video game was interesting to watch and very suspenseful because as soon as I saw Sam’s letter to her sister, Katie, I wanted to find out how and what led to that moment. I enjoyed how the video game teaches you a little bit about each person in the family and it adds more substance to the story. I felt like I was Katie trying to find clues about Sam and where the parents went. The house looked like everyone (Sam, Janice, and Terry) was in a rush and had to leave the home immediately. The quietness of the game, besides Sam’s occasional voice, made me sit on the edge of my seat even more. I loved how the story slowly unraveled and how it revealed that Sam and Lonnie had feelings for each other. It was sad to see how Sam felt about her parents not accepting of her relationship with Lonnie because they wanted her to be with a boy.

The Riot Grrrl Movement

The Riot Grrrl movement was very powerful and made its mark on people across the world. It showed feminism in a different light and proved that feminism is about more than just being a woman. Feminist doesn’t have one look and there are different experiences with being a feminist. I think Sam and Lonnie would be part of this movement because in the video game you see words and posters with “patriarchy” written on them or “kicking against the patriarchy, and a comic book titled “Women Outlaws”. As the story continues, you learn that Sam and Lonnie bond over punk rock, grunge, and the Riot Grrrl movement. Lonnie was in JROTC and Sam was surprised that she was going to basic training. She didn’t expect Lonnie to be the type who would follow authority. I believe Sam and Lonnie would both agree with Riot Grrrl manifesto: “BECAUSE we don’t wanna assimilate to someone else’s (boy) standards of what is or isn’t”. Sam’s parents, Janice and Terry, wanted Sam to assimilate to the standards of who a woman should be with and who a woman shouldn’t be with. This proves they believe in traditional gender roles and didn’t want Sam to challenge that.

Audre Lorde (1977), The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action

Audre Lorde opens this piece by saying “I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood” (40). The way I interpreted this quote is to say what you mean and how you feel without feeling guilty of how others may interpret it. Women live their lives scared of how they will be labeled, viewed, and criticized because of what they feel is important. Women are constantly ridiculed for being too “emotional” or being “overthinkers” which may cause women to hide themselves from the world around them. Audre Lorde is saying it’s okay to not be silent. You don’t have to be silent because of your fear of judgement or visibility. In comparison to the video game, Sam couldn’t hide who she was to please her parents. She wouldn’t let them silence her, which led to her packing her things and starting a life with Lonnie. Sam chose to stay true to what was important to her, speak and live her truth. Audre Lorde says,

“But primarily for us all, it is necessary to teach by living and speaking those truths which we believe and know beyond understanding. Because in this way alone we can survive, by taking part in a process of life that is creative and continuing, that is growth”

(Lorde 43).

Lorde’s quote and a piece of the Riot Grrrl manifesto go hand in hand. Riot Grrrl’s manifesto mentioned that doing, reading, seeing, and hearing things from other people who believe in women can help us gain strength and a sense of community. We all must teach and speak our truths if we want society to change its ways. Growth is figuring out sexism, racism, the true meaning of feminism, and much more.

Connection

Bell Hooks “Feminism is For Everybody”, speaks on patriarchy and how men benefit the most from it because men assume they are superior to women. Hooks says,

“In return for all the goodies men receive from patriarchy, they are required to dominate women, to exploit and oppress us, using violence if they must to keep patriarchy intact”

(Lorde IX)

The Riot Grrrl movement set out to reclaim women’s voices and choices from men who deemed themselves in control of women. They are angry at society for looking at them as just “dumb, weak, girls”. This movement tackled sexism in full force and encouraged women to end the patriarchy. We needed movements like this so women would feel comfortable speaking their truths and not sitting in the background of men.

Essay Ideas

1. Beauty and makeup: I have always been deeply interested in all things beauty and makeup since I was younger. This topic has so many layers because beauty and makeup can turn into something complex. It can be damaging, but it can also be empowering. (Cultural Artifact: Beyoncé “Pretty Hurts”)
2. Body Image: A lot of what we see on social media or TV talks about body image and body positivity. Looking deeper, you realize that social media and TV are part of the reasons why people view their bodies in a negative way. There could be other reasons such as family or culture lifestyle. (Cultural Artifact: A Secret Between Friends: A Moment of Truth Movie)
3. Intimate partner violence: This is a very controversial topic for many people. Specifically, violence against women is tolerated and legal in many countries. Intimate partner violence is often looked over and there’s always the question: “What did they do?” “They must have done or said something for their partner to do that”. So many questions, and not enough accountability. (Cultural Artifact: No One Would Tell (1996)

Keywords: Black feminism, Oppression, Black women

(1977) “The Combahee River Collective Statement”

The Combahee River Collective Statement discussed Black women’s struggle and negative relationship to the political system that is ruled by white males, the belief that it’s difficult to separate race from class, sex, and oppression because black women experience them simultaneously. The statement also discussed how difficult it is to organize around Black feminist issues such as addressing a whole range of oppression.

“We know that there is such a thing as racial-sexual oppression which is neither solely racial nor solely sexual, e.g., the history of rape of Black women by white men as a weapon of political repression”.

(1977) “The Combahee River Collective Statement”

The reason it’s so difficult to separate race from class, sex, and oppression is because of Black women’s history. Black women have history of being enslaved and repeatedly raped by white men. We can’t minimize history, or the fact that it happened, because history doesn’t want to hold white men accountable for executing this act. This racial-sexual oppression upholds racism, sexism, and also enhances white superiority over Black women.

Talking About Race

Ijeoma Oluo (2018), “So You Want to Talk About Race”

We have to talk about race. How can we understand or have meaningful conversations about race, cultures, “the system”, if we don’t know what it is? It may be difficult to have this type of conversation, especially if the focus is on people of color in our society, but Ijeoma Oluo said:

“Trust me, no conversation on race has ever ended nearly as bad for you as it ends for people of color”.

(Oluo, 21:21-21:28)

People of color may be reluctant to have a conversation about race, but if they are willing to talk to a white person about race, it’s generosity. People of color, specifically Black people, have received death threats, been harassed, killed, fired from their jobs, or unable to get hired from a job based on their race. This is only the half of the everyday things Black people go through. It affects not only themselves but their livelihood and ability to take care of their families.

Uluo mentions that we live in a world defined by whiteness because everything we view is based on whiteness. This goes from our calendars, holidays, fine art versus ethnic art, and even as far as professionalism. If you are white and know that the world is defined by your whiteness, understand how and why it’s a generosity to receive an explanation or conversation with a Black person on race. The world is different for Black people, and not acknowledging that brings back the pain this society isn’t built for them or defined by them. As a Black woman myself, conversations on race need to happen way more than they already are.

Women Redefining Difference

Audre Lorde (1980), “Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Redefining Difference”

In “Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Redefining Difference ” by Audra Lorde, oppressors must take responsibility for their actions instead of Black and Third World people having to educate white people on their mistakes. We must acknowledge our differences such as class, race, sex, and even our economic differences to move forward in our society. Audra Lorde noticed that white women have difficulty reading Black women’s literature because in their word’s classes can’t “get into” them (117) or because they come out of experiences that are “too different” (117). Lorde believes that white women are reluctant to see Black women as different from themselves which is why it’s difficult for them.

“To examine Black women’s literature effectively requires that we be seen as a whole people in our actual complexities– as individuals, as women, as human- rather than as one of those problematic but familiar stereotypes provided in this society in place of genuine images of Black women”.

(Lorde, 118)

Many people refuse to acknowledge the history of Black women and even Black men. It’s like the racism women or people of color never existed. White women who don’t want to acknowledge the situations Black women face and how different their lives are different from Black women or women of Color, will never be able to admit that they are inferior. It’s important that conversations like this happen because as Lorde states:

“Refusing to recognize difference makes it impossible to see the different problems and pitfalls facing us as women”.

(Lorde, 118)

Momo Pixel’s: Hair Nah

Momo Pixel (2017), Hair Nah

Learning more about Momo and everything that she’s done is so refreshing to see! Momo is an award-winning art director, game designer, and so much more. The game she designed, Hair Nah, is a response to people touching a Black woman’s hair without permission. As a black woman myself, this game couldn’t be any more relatable. There have been countless situations where white people have tried (some successfully) touching my hair without acknowledging how disrespectful it is. Black women are not animals that you can just pet and touch all over. This is the micro-aggression that needs to be addressed. The game was a perfect representation of the control people think they have over Black women and black bodies. Who are you to touch anything on anyone without permission?

Question:

Have you ever had a conversation about race? Could be with friends, family, etc. How did that conversation go? Did it go downhill? Was there new enlightenment after the conversation? New beliefs? Feel free to talk about tough conversations you’ve been in.

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?