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We are assigned a gender at birth however this assignment does not define who we are or who we will become. As Lober states gender has become the routine ground for our everyday activities. Gender has become embedded in society and the world that we assume it to be who we are.

This image shows my siblings and I as children and my mother in her 30s. When looking at this image we don’t get defined by our gender but by those around us.

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Gender is a social institution that has been set forth for decades. Lober states how western society values are deprived from gender which categorizes individuals which results in them being judged or sets expectations based on gender; how this shouldn’t be the case. It is through practices, culture and religion that shape individuals and allow them to be the person they wish to become.

This image is one I took while out hiking. This being a hobby I have recently picked up, I was always so intimidated by the thought of hiking, always using negative words to demotivate myself from the idea that I would be a hiker however I decided to let that go and just climb the mountain. At the end of the day it is my own experiences and hobbies that make me who I am not my gender.

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With gender comes differences with many roles being gender marked as West and Zimmerman mention in their reading. We as a society categorize individuals based on gender however this is a fault in our society given that anything one person can do another can also do regardless of their gender but more so it’s about their interest and motivation.

This image is one I took while out  axe throwing I have labeled this photo as I can do it too given that regardless of my gender I am able to do stuff that don’t fit the stereotypes set to me based on my gender

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There is a divide between gender as Mohanty mentions “women” as a group are labeled as “powerless” among other stuff however this is just a label that has been put. Gender differences are transformed into divisions of gender thus resulting in societal labels.

This image shares a story behind it. I took this photo during my flight from Amsterdam. I would label myself as a solo traveler however this wasn’t always the case. I was always afraid to travel alone as not only a person but as a woman therefore I would always wait for people to have time so we can travel together however I realized that I didn’t need someone to hold my hand while I learn more about myself and what makes me me therefore I decided to start solo traveling I decided to let my fears go and the voice in my head saying I can’t because of the labels that have been pinned on me. I have now solo traveled to four different countries and have not only broken free from labels but have also found myself in the process.

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Who am I? I am me. I am a Latina, I am a woman, I am a scholar and I am me. Does my gender determine who I am? No, my gender is simply a part of me but it is not me. I am who I wish to be; it is my differences and my practices that determine who I am. Therefore I am aware of who I am as a person and as my labels.

This image is of me. Sometimes we all just need a moment to reflect and admire the beauty of the world. We tend to get so caught up on labels and society that we forget to appreciate what’s in front of us.