Blog 2

Karen Wheeler, Age 47

Karen is a single mother, who raised her two girls mostly by herself.  She feels very strongly about modern stereotypes of women because she runs her household as well as works full time at two jobs.   She believes that women, especially mothers, should not be stereotyped and expected to be a stay-home wife and mother, while the man in the family goes out to earn the money.   Her mother taught her to be a strong woman, and to stand up for what she believes in.  She says that from early womanhood, her mother, as well as grandmother taught her that women have the same rights that men do.  Karen defined feminism as believing that men and women are equal in every way.  One experience in her life that made her conscious of her gender was going through a divorce, and having full custody of her two daughters.  She said that the responsibility was something that she could handle, and she loved that she was the primary caretaker of her daughters.  

Wheeler, Karen. 27 Jan 2009.

Reading Response

I definitely agree with Finkbeiner, and her argument about sex education in public schools.  Girls need to learn about their bodies, and all that they are capable of producing, so they can be educated and be able to make the right decision when the time comes.  They also  need to know about some of the consequences that might come.  Most importantly, I agree that young girls should be supported through this rough, awkward time in their lives, and sex education, in this modern world, is necessary to help increase the safety of the young women.  

I also agree with Finkbeiner when she talks about the modern feminist movement.  The strong women in our past had won the right to vote, and the right to be in the workforce.  Our third generation of feminists are pushing for individual power.  The modern feminists want what's best for each woman, whether its a stay-at-home mother, or a working mom.  

 McIntosh's "White Privilege" was a really interesting read for me.  I am Native American and I have often thought about some of the Privileges that white people have.  I most definitely agree with the long list that McIntosh states because I have personally experienced some of those things, as well as other discrimination issues.  One thing disagree with in this piece is when McIntosh states "that your race will not count against you in court, should be the norm in a just society."  I think that this should not be the "norm", and that everyone, regardless of their race, should have a fair trial.  However, I know that this is not the case in our society, and should be changed.