Photo Event Project by Suhani Jha

Still facing pain, today

sjha008_ — 2023-11-28 05:58:26 UTC

To this day women fight for the rights of their own body. They fight for allowing themselves the space of a decision. This isn't even limited to abortion, but purchasing contraceptives, medications, and protective mechanisms. Overshadowed by the rage of "women wanting rights", society forgets they deserve it - similarly portrayed in the poster, highlighting some portions vs others. Multiple articles and stories read can prove to this, from Sterilized in the Name of Public Health by A. Stern (2005) to the film No More Babies. Each piece of media details the painful struggles of women getting their rights stripped away from them one way or another

Scared to be myself

sjha008_ — 2023-11-28 06:06:53 UTC

With men already facing harsh criticisms from society regarding their emotional needs, authority, and mental wellbeing - they are yet expected to be grouped in a certain category. A man must have hobbies that showcase strength, power, and hierarchy. Becoming a head of the family business is important, not your own passions. "This is for girls", I've heard numerous people say. The subject depicts the pain of hiding your talent, of not being able to truly enjoy what you feel happy with. It leads to misery, pills, and medications. Looking deeper into "Is It a Boy Or a Girl?"(Ward 2000) and "Boy I Am" (2006, dir. Sam Feder and Julie Hollar), we can see the aim around stereotypes and categorically putting girls vs boys into a set box.

Outdated?

sjha008_ — 2023-11-28 06:09:49 UTC

Individuals of the 1950s might have applauded this photo - such a brave showing of power and man. Your wife was not prepared to meet your needs and dealt with the consequences. This photo is definitely frowned upon now, or is it? Behind closed doors many "openminded" families still behave this way. Small forms of violence are put into place to prove authority, to make an example of, to warn. Chaos ensues but cannot be taken care of, because it is too scary to take a stance. Earlier readings from the course, such as Byron Hurt "Feminist Men", showcase how a child is grown up around violence and what he makes of it. Numerous other articles show in the present day how impactful a scene like that at home would be.

Either way I don't feel right

sjha008_ — 2023-11-28 06:25:23 UTC

They/them - I can be whatever I want. But I can't. Society finds the concept of gender to be strictly one or the other. I want to be masculine today and feminine the next. Just as clothing styles change, my mindset does too. Is it that hard to understand? Why do I have to conform to a singular window to be seen out off. Let me add enough panes to showcase me. Gender is explored deeply through media read from this course, but "We Are All Works In Progress" by L. Feinberg prove this idea the most.

J. Messerschmidt's "Goodbye to Sex/Gender Distinction" plays a role in trying to understand the constructs of gender and how they should be demolished.

Is a definition necessary

sjha008_ — 2023-11-28 07:11:57 UTC

The roles of a woman are so set in stone, but a woman herself sometimes cannot be considered one. There are blurred lines as to what society considers - woman. The minute a mother is a single word, the title is revoked. The minute an individual chooses a career over a family, revoked. There are numerous circumstances that fade into the background, as the blue text in this photo. What does it even say? Does society even care to know? Looking at articles defining women, it is clear that society has had a prejudice of what a woman can become. "Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Defining Difference" by A. Lorde showcase different stories and positions of women. How they are treated in the hierarchal system with men, with other women, in society as a whole.