Let's Hear a Story....

After reading Allison's memoir and the pieces by Clarkson and Chrenshaw, it makes one wonder how violence is interpreted when based off of the woman's identity. When it came to all three writings, violence against women was obviously portrayed in a very negative way. But, they brought up the different ways in which women from different backgrounds are affected by the violence. The most interesting aspect of women and violence came from the article written by Chrenshaw. She focused on the idea that women, especially those who were immigrants, were more likely to be impacted by violence, due to the fact that they are less able to communicate their issues.

Chrenshaw discusses the idea that women who are immigrants are more likely to face violence due to their fear of deportation. They are threatened everyday with remarks that if they do not do as they are told, they will be sent away from the "new" life they are trying to make for themselves. These women are faces with a losing situation. They will either lose they life they want to make or lose their dignity in the face of a man.

Another interesting point brought up in the article was that battered women who were of the poorer class and who identified with being "non-American," had a much more difficult time trying to find help. They would be sent away due to the inability to properly communicate with English speakers. Shelters sent women away because they felt that since communication was difficult, they would never be able to tell their story and fully cope. Essentially, these shelters are sending away women in need. They are discriminating against those who are "different," when in the end, a non-English speaking women who is beaten by her husband and left homeless on the street, is facing the same difficulties as one who speaks English. All in all, they need and deserve help.

One other interesting point brought up in the readings was that the violence towards women seems to occur because the beatings and rape represent power. The men are trying to take control over women and the way they can do that is through berating and belittling them through physical, emotional and sexual abuse. This abuse is predominately seen in war, as stated by Clarkson. "They have spread terror through the population by looting and burning villages and raping and murdering their inhabitants. Throughout the fighting many people fled into the bush, where they hid, afraid to come out" (613). Through the use of violence, these men are instilling fear in others. This shows the people that they are in control and can do anything they please. Every person loses their identity. Everyone is the same to these men and they will do anything to hurt them.

Overall, identity can affect the way violence affects people. When people face differences, they are treated differently. They struggle with trying to fit into the "norm." They face difficulties with others believing their stories, when it seems that some of the best ways to deal with these situations is to tell one's story.

Please check one. What is your race?

1. Caucasian

2. African-American

3. Asian

4. Pacific-Islander

5. Other

On any given scantron sheet, it is not uncommon to find a question like the one above. But what if the person is a blend of different ethnicities and cultures? Are they supposed to simply chose one? What if they feel more comfortable with one "identity" over another? Why must we all be lumped into categories based off of one dimension?

After reading the articles, it appears as though the major themes relate to the idea of identity. In today's society, we put too much focus on the physical identity and characteristics of people. It is not uncommon to take one look at a person and suddenly categorize them, based solely on appearance. It is this emphasis on a person's outside that affects the individual and how people see them. They are simply pressured into becoming the person they think that everyone else sees. This is when individuality becomes scarce and is taken away.

According to the article written by Evelyn Alsultany, she states that "my body become marked with meaning as I enter public space. My identity fractures as I experience differing dislocations in multiple contexts" (292). This raises a very interesting point. People who can relate to different ethnic groups or races can essentially be picked apart and separated. Depending on the location of that particular person, they may either be berated or celebrated due to the identity the other people see them as. The first thing people will do is categorize someone based on appearances. If someone appears to fit the category of being "Jewish," that is ultimately the way they will be viewed and depending on the situation, that is how they will be treated. Society truly does judge. Appearance is everything. Appearance is identity.

Along with this idea of identity, Lauren Martin raises an interesting point in her piece. She says "Those of us who are not easily identified as Other are privy to information that is not readily available to those who cannot-or do not-pass. That is, we are witnesses to what 'you' really this of us, whether we want to hear or not" (9). Sometimes, "mistaken" identities can cause for "the truth to come out. In Martin's case, those around her did not know that she identified with the Jewish culture. Because of this, people would say very anti-Semitic remarks. This gave off the impression that what they say is what they believe. Since they believe there is no one to offend, they can say whatever they want. They don't take much consideration that identity is not always as clear as it seems. It also makes one wonder what how people would change if they knew someone true identity. Would they change the way the interacted? Would they act fake and cover their true selves?

Identity cannot be one answer. Everyone can identify with certain groups. It can change throughout ones life. People are always evolving. There is no clear cut rule to identity. Everyone is not what they may seem on the outside. No one should feel pressured to belong to one clear cut group.

Three pretty awesome things about me....

1. I am a New Yorker, born and raised.
2. I love riding horses and have been doing so for years.
3. I will be student teaching in August in Belmopan, Belize.