Tristian Saenz
Language, Gender Culture
Lumberjack. Miner. Sumo Wrestler.
Three jobs, completely unrelated and random, but the one thing that tied all these together for me was the image of a man with big beards and bellies. Without realizing it, I have been programmed to imagine that women either do not want to or physically can’t do some jobs that men have dominated for so long, but now I see the bigger picture. After reading Susan Chira’s view on “The Manly Job Problems”, I have come to a whole new conclusion. Her article in the New York Times Magazine is aimed to unite empowered women and make aware those who are unaware of the constant sexual harassment and disrespect women must face in order to make it through a day of work.
Many of the women who have worked in work forces mostly made up of males, like mining or construction, are no stranger to this harassment; including verbal abuse, groping, and sometimes as bad as assault. If this happens so often I'm curious as to why we hear so little about it? This article was posted two years ago, so it's not old at all. There should be very serious consequences, just as the victim must be taken seriously if an accusation is made. I thought something quite humorous but actually quite true when Chira had the theory that “Then women were moving into these occupations, so what does that mean? If women can do the job, maybe it’s not so masculine after all.” In other words, men feel threatened when a woman can do their job; hiding their hurt pride by making others feel smaller than them.
Although we see this toxicity in the workplace, women cannot give in to these stereotypes. Do not be the femenine image that some men try to place on women! That's an important thought from the article that is difficult and challenging to many females, since mens violent or abusive tendencies. No pain no gain!
Women's fight for equal rights might not ever be over, but we can not stop until this battle of the sexes has stopped globally. We need to recognize, encourage, and stand up for those who are not able to do it for themselves. This was a great article since Chira was able to get me interested in the issue and exclaimed the lack of awareness of the abuse women face everyday.
Creative Writing
“A coronavirus patient refused to quarantine, so deputies are surrounding his house to force him to” by Scottle Andrew (CNN)
Dey’ got me all locked up on my own propurty. Sayin’ I got some type of virus from one of dem’ Mexican beers. There I wus in the hospital when dey told me. Dey told me not to leave da’ hospital but I had to, I tol’ em I got persuhnal bidness and that's that. So I went on ma’ way home. When I got into ma’ house, I got all cleand’ up fuh my big date. Getting ready to go out, I dun walked outside to about a dozen cop cars sittin’ outside. I never got my yello’ ass back inside so quick! I started thinking real hard of how I was gon’ go meet this lady without da cops catchin’ me..den I got dis’ idea goin.
“Okay I dun give up! Ya’ll wun! Good Night!” I shouted out ma’ bedroom window. I put a sac of taters in ma’ bed and mommas old wig on da’ pillow. I jumped from the second story window, da’ side of the house them sherrifs wus’nt guarding, the landin’ stung real bad. I was runnin with lil’ sticks and grass on me into dem backwoods. Hope ma’ date don’t mind if I'ma little late!
Reading
I spent the day reading Scythe written by the same author of Unwind, Neal Shusterman. The book appears to be set far in the future where all of humanity’s problems are solved by the Thunderhead, which could be compared to our modern day Siri. An incredibly intelligent A.I, that is able to figure out almost any problem or conflict through logic. Like Siri, Thunderhead is “...able to solve all of the world’s problems, including diplomacy and resource management” (Shusterman 35). Their computer was not only able to calculate best options for diplomatic relations or how to properly spend our resources most efficiently. A computer was replacing humans, making them useless.
One problem that remained as a direct result of the Thunderhead was a massive jump of the population. This feat was left to a high ranking group of people who named Scythes, functioning as living grim reapers who showed up to people’s homes in the same way a tax collector would. They actually get to decide who lives and dies. They can show up to your door, have dinner with you and then kill your neighbor with the kitchen knife before politely washing it off and returning it.
This book is just beginning for me but I am really excited to keep reading and see how Shusterman makes this plot unfold. It is extremely confusing how no one stops the Scythes, as to why the civilians do not rebel from certain, unknowing death. I could not just sit and eat dinner normally knowing the person across from me was about to murder somone. Different strokes, I suppose?
(Apologies for being late)
