A brief history of my journey

Goal: Plot my journey into feminist theory for the sake of reflection and memory.

My partner is a Women's Studies major, and it is probably safe to say that my interests in these realms is largely due to her education rubbing off on me. Of course, she began pointing out gender inequalities, etc. a long time ago. What can I say? I'm often too optimistic/naive to "get it" the first time around. But then I started applying to graduate school for teaching. I was asked to write an essay about a realm of my subject area (language arts) that I would like to focus on in the classroom; something that is of 'current interest' to myself and society at large that maybe is not addressed as would be appropriate. I composed an essay on the need to address gender/sex in literature: the authors and the characters, in addition to an emphasis on the societal/psychological/political contexts in which the literature takes place and in which the literature is read.

After delivering my application, I realized that I should actually put my words into action. I began reading Marilyn Frye's essays in feminist theory (check it out on Amazon here). Okay, I'm not done with it yet, but I am loving what I have read! Also, I started following the websites Feministing and Sociological Images to keep up on the current issues. [[Insert aforementioned haircut here]] Sifting through the internet's resources on feminist theory and current issues in gender/sexuality/equality is tiring work!

I should also mention that I work in the after-school program at a middle school. This is where I get a lot of material. Step into a middle school and you step into a world of burgeoning gender norms, roles, expectations, and inequalities (more to come on this later).

Okay, where am I now? I'm keeping up with the sites, slowly working through Frye, and generally feeling much more sensitive (tuned into?) these topics in my everyday life. And now comes the next step: formulating my thoughts into coherent words so that I can address misogyny, inequality, and homophobia when I see it. And figuring out if I have anything original to add to the amazing work of other scholars and/or feminists out there. I'll have to get back to you on that last one.