Playlist

The songs that I believe represent gender are listed below:

(Playlist.com will not work for me. Sorry for the inconvenience...)



1. Diva by Beyonce



2. Ego by Beyonce



3. She Got her Own by Ne-Yo, Jamie Foxx, Fabolous



4. Miss Independent by Ne-Yo



5. R-E-S-P-E-C-T by Aretha Franklin



6. Yesterday by MaryMary



7. Hallelujah by Tamela Mann



8. A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke



9. Never Would Have Made It by Marvin Sapp



10. Never Ever by Ciara ft. Jeezy



11. Turnin' Me On by Keri Hilson ft. Lil Wayne



I picked these songs based on the strength of a woman. Whenever I am feeling down, I would honestly, put this playlist on and remember who I am and how I can do this all by myself.



Now the breakdown



1. Diva by Beyonce



I chose this one to be in the number one spot because this is really the lady's national anthem. The title, "Diva," says it all.



2. "Ego" by Beyonce



Now this song has not became popular, as of now, but it is off of Beyonce's latest album, "I am...Sasha Fierce." What made me think of this song is one of the lines that she sings in the song, "I walk like this cause I can back it up!" This is basically saying step to the side, men. I can back up what I say and I do my own thing. Can't you see it in my walk?



3. "She Got Her Own," by Ne-Yo, Jamie Foxx, Fabolous



These fine young gentlemen tell about a young lady that does not need any man to pay her bills, to keep her company, or even to be there. She can do it all on her own.



4. "Miss Independent," by Ne-Yo



Once again, this title speaks for itself.



5. "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" by Aretha Franklin



Honestly, this song displays the need for women to gain respect not only from their partner, but also from society, today.



6. "Yesterday" by MaryMary



This is a gospel song that tells about how a young lady decided that all of her trust needed to be in God, yesterday. Throughout the song, she realizes that through all of her pain, her heartache, her struggle, that God had never left her side and He never will. As long as she has Him, then there is no need for a man unless God sends one her way.



7. "Hallelujah" by Tamela Mann



I believe this is a very powerful song that once again gives all glory and honor to God.



8. "A Change is Gonna Come," by Sam Cooke



The Title speaks for itself.



9. "Never Would have Made It," by Marvin Sapp



This song, right here, has so much wrapped in to it. Once you hear the first verse, it helps you focus on God and why you are in whatever situation you are in, whatever position you have reached. It is also a very powerful song.



10. "Turnin' Me On," by Keri Hilson ft. Lil' Wayne



I picked this song because Keri is telling all guys that if you don't meet her standards than you need to get to stepping.



Lastly, my song choice has not changed over the years. It might have been enhanced here and there, but overall, I listen to the same things; gospel, R&B and a little bit of rap.

WS Courses

My future vocation, (calling), I believe has a lot to do with challenges. My major is Industrial Engineering and I know that I can go far with my future in Engineering. I absolutely love math and science so I believe this would be the right direction for me.

Women's Courses that might help my future in engineering are, "Body Image vs. Reality" and "Gender, Power and Leadership in Politics and Administration." I believe that being comfortable in your own skin and becoming the leader that everyone is destined to be is very important for the growth of a successful young lady.

Gender will play a great role in my work. Being underrepresented in a male-dominated career will be a challenge that I am more than willing to take on.

My work history is very simple. I started working at age, 16, at Braum's Food and Ice Cream Store. I worked there until I left for college at age, 18. Also, while on break for Christmas and Spring, during my Freshman year in college, I went back to Braum's and worked. That ended the summer before my Sophomore year in August. Currently, I am employed at Dillard's Retail Clothing Store in Norman, Ok. I have been there for 4 months and I will continue to be there throughout the summer going into my next year. Honestly, I have not had any gender issues with my work experience. From my past jobs to my current, I have always set a goal to work to the top of any and every thing I encounter. While at Braum's, I worked my way up to the highest acknowledged position, Shift Manager. Then within a month at Dillard's, I rose to the top of the sales charts. Which happen to be the fastest move that any one has made in the history of Dillard's, so no, gender issues are not prevalent in any of the work places I have been employed at.

In response to the readings, Chapter four, in "Feminism is for Everybody," and Hull's packet, "All women are white, all the blacks are men, but some of us are brave," I noticed that Hooks focused more on the importance of teaching the "feminist theory" and Hull's packet is very interesting in my eyes. I believe I look at things more through the African Americans' rights eyes, rather than women's rights eyes. And these two readings were the perfect example for my different view. Hull's title on the packet said it all. In society today, many individuals look at white women as the "women" in the world, black men as the "men" in the world and the rest of us just fight to stay on top. Also, this stereotype has a lot to do with who is in the public eye. Athletes, actors and even some politicians, (excluding President Barack Obama), the majority of them all have white women on their side. So, honestly, what is America suppose to think? And then on the other side, the majority of African American women are in the spotlight for being "INDEPENDENT" and not being submissive to any man. Now, don't get me wrong, that is a great way to be, but there is more to the essence of a black woman than being independent. The reason most black women "keep to themselves," is because most black families do not have that male figure at the head of their household. So, young black girls grow up to be the independent, hardcore, strong black woman that they saw in their mother.

"Iron Jawed Angels"/Response to Readings

Unfortunately, I only was able to see a clip of the movie, "Iron Jawed Angels." I watched the clip where they made Alice Paul, (Hilary Swank), eat when she did not want to. In my opinion, that is terrible. I learned from this clip, that women were treated very harshly. I could not even have a dreamt of anything so disrespectful. The way that they forced her to open her mouth and how they stuffed the feeding tube down her throat surprised me, outrageously! Some of the tensions, I observed, were when the women stood together and did not eat. Then, when they started to sing, it kind of made a relevance to the African American movement. A lot of the movements, when you compare them, were very similar and in the end, every one wanted the same thing, "Freedom and Equality."

In response to the readings, assigned from blog 1 to blog 3, there are three points made in Bell Hooks' book, "Feminism is for Everybody," that I wanted to discuss:

1. "We can share the simple yet powerful message that feminism is a movement to end sexist oppression." (Hooks-pg.6)
2. "Sisterhood is still Powerful." (Hooks-pg.13)
3. "Patriarchal violence in the home is based on the belief that it is acceptable for a more powerful individual to control others through various forms of coercive force." (Hooks-pg.61)

The first point about the feminism movement is a little much. I mean, I am all about fighting for equal rights, but I guess I have not been really exposed to such mistreatment for me to stand up for it. As far as I know, equality exists more among gender, than among race.

Secondly, "Sisterhood is still Powerful," stands out to me because in my opinion, sisterhood is females coming together and supporting one another, but I believe the reference used in the book is talking about the strength of sisterhood fighting for equality. That is all fine and dandy, but sisterhood should not be about fighting at all. Enjoy being able to call yourself, sister. Why all of the violence? Sisterhood is the most powerful thing women have today. There is no point to putting it in the same category as fighting.

Lastly, but certainly not least, the definition of "Patriarchal violence" is absolutely right. I believe that men think that because they are suppose to bring in the check and they are the "male figure" of the house that they can do any and every thing they want to. This is not correct, ladies. I disagree to the highest power. Now, this is when women should start fighting, verbally and in some times, physically. Stand up for yourself. Notice the signs early on. How does he treat his mother? Sister? How does he treat you? No man is worth bruises and wounds.

Feminism

Interview a woman over age 45. What was their experience of gender? What is their history with feminism? Define feminism? Describe one experience in your life that made you conscious of gender. Respond to the readings. Due Feb. 2



I interviewed my grandmother, who is 64.



Q:What was your experience of gender?



A: As I grew up, my experience of gender was very harsh. If you were not a man, than you were pushed aside. I am a very independent woman and I will fight for what I believe is right. As much as they wanted to keep us from going to school and securing a real job, I wanted it. I graduated from Langston University with a Bachelor's in Psychology and went on to teach and even worked in construction just to show them that I could do as much as they can. I know it was childish, but I had to prove a point.



Q: What is your history with feminism?



A: I believe my history falls in with my experience.



Q: Define feminism.



A: Feminism is the equal rights of women to men.



My grandmother is a very strong black woman. I can advocate for her years of hard work and determination to be who she is today.



One experience in my life that made me concious of gender is when I was in middle school and high school. (It was an ongoing issue)

I always had to work twice as hard as the guy sitting next to me. Through academics, sports, etc., my focus was not only on doing what was required, but extra on top of that! I know it is sad, but that was just how my community was. Honestly, this experience helped me more than I could ever have imagined. Since, I was brought to go the extra mile, college work was just a bonus. I am very grateful for what I went through because it made me who I am, today.