Photo Essay Padlet by Morteza Shahab

Intersectionality: Koi Fish and Human Society

mshah106 — 2024-05-18 21:53:18 UTC

Though these koi fish are all distinct in their own mannerisms and appearance, they all swim and flow together in harmony. This highlights the difference between the "society" of koi fish and human society. The koi fish can live side-to-side while accepting each other's differences and moving forward together. In human society, intersectionality "is a way of understanding social relations" by observing the different forms of discrimination that intersect (Newcastle University). Intersectionality has shown us that discrimination has halted human society from progressing forward and living in harmony like the koi fish. Regardless of race, sex, or age, our society should be able to effectively coexist and solve all of our society's problems together as a united society, not a divided one.

Social Construction of Gender

mshah106 — 2024-05-18 22:21:33 UTC

I interpret this canvas as a call for help for society to "wake up" and understand how the social construction of gender divides us and promotes discriminatory practices. This social construction is a "way of structuring social life [which] demands that gender statuses be clearly differentiated" (Lorber 1994: 5). Men and women are forced into roles perpetuated by our patriarchal society. It is a way for society to simplify people by defining them. This canvas is a constant reminder of how I was structured to abide by the laws created by our society that tell me how I should behave and act simply because of my gender. This canvas can also depict the struggles that people have in their daily lives while dreaming of how beautiful of a life they could live if they could be themselves.

The Hypersexualization of Women

mshah106 — 2024-05-18 23:11:06 UTC

The hypersexualization of women has long been perpetuated by our patriarchal society. The art above can be interpreted as men (the snake) preying on a woman who has been subject to the hypersexualization promoted by society. The woman, who has socially accepted beauty qualities, is preyed upon by men as some sort of object to be used. Hypersexualization also intersects with race which has been a rampant issue for Asian women in America. Asian women are stereotyped to be "submissive or timid...or very open to engaging in sexual acts because it was said so by a man" (CBS This Morning). Women are forced to adhere by a certain beauty standard and are then subject to the hypersexualization of men.

Motherhood

mshah106 — 2024-05-18 23:28:31 UTC

The social concept of what "motherhood" is and what is acceptable has also been set in stone by patriarchy. The concept of motherhood "is not biologically predetermined in any fixed way but is historically and socially constructed" (Hondagneu-Sotelo and Avila 1997: 549). The illustration of the bee can depict how women are limited in their roles in society. The concept of motherhood has been linked to women solely staying at home and taking care of their children. Many transnational mothers who do work outside of the home "tend to take jobs close to home so that they can fulfill child rearing and domestic duties" (1997: 552). Patriarchy has been able to define motherhood to further shape a male-dominated society.

Gender Identity

mshah106 — 2024-05-18 23:51:55 UTC

In society, people tend to show certain aspects of themselves while hiding certain aspects from the world. This concealment "is crucial to the gender that we are and the gender that we present to the world" (Judith Butler). The picture above can depict how people in society tend to show their more socially acceptable side (green side) while concealing their actual identity (snow side). Men and women are expected to behave and act in certain ways in order to conform to social expectation placed upon these genders.