5-A-1

=Home > Activity 5-A-1: Male Privilege=

Instructions:

 * 1) Read the poem, Male Privilege.
 * 2) In a word processing document, rewrite this poem from the perspective of a woman that lives in a society that does not marginalize her voice, actions, progress, etc.
 * 3) Post your poem to the course wiki:
 * Click the ** Edit ** tab in the upper-right corner.
 * Scroll down the page until you see the first empty space under "Participants' Poems."
 * Highlight the " Enter your name here. " text and type your name.
 * Copy your poem text from the word processing document. Highlight the " Paste your poem here. " text and paste your poem.
 * Press ** Save ** on the Editor bar.
 * 1) Provide feedback to at least one of your peers. To comment:
 * Click the ** Edit ** tab in the upper-right corner.
 * Scroll down the page until you see the comment section under the poem you want to comment on.
 * Type your comments followed by your first name and last initial.
 * Press ** Save ** on the Editor bar.

Participants' Poems

 * Name:** Sara Bishel

Privilege is the pursuit of happiness, each in our own way.
 * Poem:**

Privilege is enjoying the aroma of breakfast and the chorus of children beginning their day. It is the participation in the hectic pursuit of lunch boxes, lost shoes, permission slips, and travel mugs.

Privilege is exercising our body and mind, pursuing lifelong learning for the brain and the heart.

Privilege is freely expressing and sharing our opinions, our love, and our creativity while we play and while we work.

Privilege is the satisfaction of being paid for our energies and our efforts. We have a home, a life, a purpose. Who goes off to work? Who stays and works at home?

The answer: whoever wants to. Privilege is choice.

Sara, I like your poem a lot. The spacing, the flow, the clarity. It made me feel peaceful, especially the last line--like, what's so complicated about this? Just. . .whoever wants to. The perfect end to this poem. . .Makes perfect sense. Jan Sara, I enjoyed your poem and the message it sent that privilege is available to everyone. I can say for myself that I have never really felt at a disadvantage as a woman. I have never really felt like I had to be a certain way because of my gender. I would be considered by most to play by the gender rules - I cook, I clean, I dress up, I was a cheerleader, I love children, I am a teacher - but it isn't because I felt like I had to be this way. I want to be this way. It is who I am. It is my choice. ~Laura G.
 * Comments:**

Sara, I really enjoyed your poem! It was well written with really strong sentence lengths (especially using short sentences to really strike home your points!) and wonderful imagery. I could smell the kitchen during breakfast time! My favorite part was how you ended it with three simple yet powerful words that made a very effective ending: "Privilege is choice." Just to have the choice to go to work or to stay home (and not just be expected to do the latter or scoffed at for doing the former) shows that women's rights are changing and that we are gaining power...the power of choice! Great work! ~Kristen M.


 * Name:** Hilary Quagilana

Equality is simple: Getting paid equal wages for equal work Being good at math and science without a surprised look from a new friend Knowing that you are being judged by the merits of your ideas and intellect, not by the shape of your body Getting ahead in business and no one assumes it is because you granted “favors” or were a complete b---h
 * Poem:**

Equality is: Going to the mechanic’s shop and being able to feel you’re not taken advantage of because of your gender Voicing your opinion proudly, strongly, and having it valued as much as anyone else’s Playing sports, or not, cooking, or not, mowing the lawn or not

Equality is being: Full of self-worth even with an increase in waist size Able to go grey naturally, even at age 30—and no one comments Valued for who you are, not what you look like.

Hilary, You and I are thinking along some of the same lines--like mowing the lawn, and the pressure for women to be a certain size and have a certain body shape. Your line about going to a mechanic brought back a memory I haven't thought of in a while. When I was about 23 I had dropped my car off at a mechanic I didn't really know, and he did work on my car without checking with me first for me to authorize him to do it. I was pretty angry because it was more money than I expected to pay given what I originally had taken the car in for. I was very assertive with him and persisted with my argument that I had not given him permission to do that work, and he finally said, basically, to take my car and forget about it, cause all he really wanted was for me to leave! You captured a lot of great thoughts here that resonated with me. Jan
 * Comments:**


 * Name:** Jan


 * Poem:**
 * equity**
 * a poem for people who understand what we mean when we say we have it**

equity is simple: coming home from work and seeing that your husband has dinner almost ready, and it isn’t a surprise, cause, guess what, he gets home before you from work, and (no matter that he’s the better cook) he never thinks twice about it or acts like he shouldn’t have to, and when you’re done you clean up because that’s how it works, and he never tells his friends he is “babysitting” his own kids, cause that would be a ridiculous kind of idea, wouldn’t it?

equity is he cleans the gutters ‘cause you’re afraid of heights, not ‘cause he’s a guy, and you mow the grass ‘cause you like to. there is division of labor, not gender.

equity is equal pay for equal work, no “glass ceilings” or tsk-tsking when you take maternity leave or go home ‘cause your child is sick, no one calling you “too emotional” or talking behind your back about how you’re not really committed to your career-- how could you be if you keep taking time off for kids?

equity is being a stay-at-home mom or a working mom or both, and never having to defend your choice.

equity is finding clothes for your preteen daughter that don’t make her look like a  hooker, never, ever hearing her at 4 ask why are all the maids women? and the priests men? and never never never hearing people praise her for her cute figure.

equity is knowing you can dream your dreams and never be told that, well dear, that path will just take too long and when will you have your children? never having to choose “home-ec” if you’re a girl and “ag” if you’re a boy, or hear that it’s more important that your brother get educated ‘cause he’s a man.

equity is never asking does my butt look big in these pants? or thinking size 10 is plus size or thinking how come when i’m old people think i look old but when he’s old people think he looks distinguished?

equity is never feeling afraid just because you’re a woman, never taking a different way home, crossing to the other side of the street just in case, never asking for a ride home from the party 4 blocks from your house, never walking the dog only before 10:00 and never having to warn your daughter about date-rape drugs or to trust her intuition about danger.

equity is speaking up, speaking out, speaking whatever. . . . . . without thinking was that too much? did i offend anyone? do people think i’m a witch with a b?

am i emasculating him?

equity is gentle men and strong women, gentle women and strong men, women never hearing that they are “intimidating”, and men never hearing “suck it up,” and being a “momma’s boy” is just as precious as being  a “daddy’s girl.”


 * Comments:** Jan, I love, love, love your poem and the way you made it about equity instead of one gender against the other pointing out what they can do that we can't. The truth is that both genders have roles pushed upon them by society. Same as with male privilege, some men would think there is a female privilege. My fiance and I have talked about him being a "stay at home dad." This is certainly against gender roles and also something I think of as a privilege. My fiance never questioned his role as a man or not being able to be the "bread winner" by staying at home. I wish we could say we had the same support from our parents, but apparently they still cling to these "old-school" gender roles. It is nice to read that your life isn't dictated by gender either. ~ Laura G.

Jan, your word usage and snapshots of situations is well done - I really enjoyed the scenarios you pulled up. As women, we have visited many of those places: walking home from the party, obsessing over our shape, being taken seriously in our job. We counsel our daughters and try to raise sensitive sons. Good job. ~ Sara

Jan, your word usage spoke volumes. I enjoyed your poem. Home-ec if a girl and ag if you're a boy, were the only choices I also had growing up. Unless one joined the Future Farmers of America Club. Faye J.

Jan, Your poem is powerful. I love that you used the word equity instead of equally. I love how you described a partnership in which jobs are not divided by gender but rather by tasks and what one feels more comfortable doing. I really identified with what you said about helping your pre-teen find clothes that don't make her look like a hooker. I am shocked and saddened when I see some of the things my 7th graders wear on no-uniform days. When did dressing like a hooker become the "cool" thing to do, and why does our society promote it? You referenced so many of the issues that women face today from how we look to what we say. Awesome job!!--Kristina


 * Name:** Laura Grida

privilege is unlimited possibilities to do what I love being the first to see the checkered flag as a race car driver crunching numbers in my corner office as a top accountant standing in front of a large audience causing raucous laughter with my comedy sketch calling the shots as a coach, announcer or analyst hunting down criminals and protecting my peers as a law enforcement officer serving as POTUS referred to as Miss President privilege is more than secretary, nurse, homemaker
 * Poem:**

privilege is a license to get dirty and catch a thrill smoking cigars, drinking dark beer and winning everyone else’s poker chips driving dirt bikes at high speeds off high jumps hunting in the quiet words and butchering dinner out in the garage spending Saturday morning fixing up the classic car playing in the big leagues under the bright lights in front of a sold out crowd privilege is more than ballet, violin, doll houses

privilege is strong characteristics to mold yourself by be opinionated enough to say what you think and not back down be tough psychically and mentally so you can take care of yourself be intelligent and educated on all issues privilege is more than being quiet, calm, good at reading and writing

privilege is not having to fit into a certain mold eat the extra piece of pizza with a sundae for dessert wear sweats and sneaks because comfort is key wash your face and go, no need to even out your skin tone summer buzz cut to avoid the staggering heat privilege is more than skinny jeans, stilettos, lip gloss

privilege is positive voices in your head I can do it! I can be anything I want to be! I am me! privilege is more than don’t hurt yourself, don’t push too hard, you’re a girl.

Laura, you can be all and anything you want to be! Strong written poem. Women are getting there. When I compare just even back in my early youth (Ha, Ha), women have broken through stereotypes and making a difference is society's unwritten rules. I am glad to be a part of it. Faye J.
 * Comments:**


 * Name:** Genevieve Felty

Privilege is choice I have the choice walk anywhere, talk to anyone, be and do anything. I can walk down the street in a bikini or a burqua, making a choice for myself, my dress not mandated by religion or men. I can fly across the world or walk down a dark street at night by myself. I can apply for any job, walk into any office, and be welcomed and respected. If I choose to have a child, I can raise he or she myself, and provide for them. These are my choices. These are choices I can make without giving a second thought to my safety One day, I will tell my daughters that they can do anything, be anyone. They can serve in the military, in the private sector, in the home. It will be their choice They will be able to choose their life’s path. Marry a man, marry a woman, or choose not to marry at all. They will have the privilege of choice.
 * Poem:**

I thought your poem was very well done. I agree that privilege is choice too. That is the most important privilege women have. We have the choice do whatever we want. We don't have to listen to anybody when it comes to making our own choices. Kayla
 * Comments:** Genevieve,


 * Name:** Kayla Pecha

Privilege is freedom:
 * Poem:**

Freedom to be who we are and live our lives to the fullest,

Freedom to start or own company or run our own home,

Freedom to drive a pick-up truck or a pink Cadillac,

Freedom to play in the mud or play with dolls,

Freedom to wear a dress or blue jeans,

Freedom to go hunting or go shopping,

Freedom to make our own choices and not listen to anybody else,

Privilege is freedom to be me.

Kayla, The contrast between the pick-up truck and the pink Cadillac put a smile on my face. You have captured some great visuals in your contrasts here to illustrate that freedom of choice is a powerful right. Jan
 * Comments:**


 * Name:** Enter your name here.
 * Faye Johnson**

Listen son to me well As I have a story to tell. Do you ever wonder why? I taught you to cook the Kraft Cheese and Macaroni you love. I taught you to do your own laundry; sorting the whites from colors. I taught you to wash dishes, make your bed, vacuum the floors and dust furniture. I taught you to change your cousin’s diapers, bottle feeding them and then rocking them to sleep. I taught you to remember Mothers’ Day, Valentine’s Day and birthdays. Flowers made it special. I taught you to say “Thank You” and “I’m Sorry” and mean it. I taught you to never raise your hand in anger. I taught you that your wants are not always first to be met. I taught you it’s ok to cry and be comforted by love ones. I taught you that pastel colors look manly; preparing you for the lavender tuxedo shirt you wore at your wedding. I taught you to be a good friend; partner; and husband. I pass on to you my son, Equality Faye, What an amazing poem. You sound like a truly wonderful mother who prepared her son to treat women with equality. Equality starts at home. If only we could have more mom's out there like you. You should be very proud of yourself.
 * Poem:**Paste your poem here.
 * Comments:**


 * Name:** Kristina Anderson


 * Poem:** Haiku to You--Woman

Roar: I am Woman Wait; no need to anymore I'm heard, I'm equal

Krisina--If I was more creative I would write my response as a Kaiku. I love how you captured your thoughts in this simple yet powerful few words. Sometimes less really is more. Jan
 * Comments:**

Kristina, I hope you don't mind if I share this with my mother and sisters. I am in awe of your ability to make the exact statment I wanted to make in 3 lines. Awesome work!


 * Name:** Kristen Manderachi


 * Poem:**

Privilege is not to be taken for granted. Where we have been and where we are going need to both be firmly implanted in our strong minds. The past and the future walk hand in hand along our present path to prosperity. What would life have been like for us only 50 years ago? Or imagine 100 years ago? Do not let our rights, our privileges, our freedom, go to waste.

We can vote, we can work, we can play, we can decide, we can dream. We can have a family, or not have a family, or work, or stay home, or buy a house with our own money that we earned from our own jobs. We can earn the same pay as our male counterparts. We can play sports alongside men as teammates…and win together! We can play sports against them as opponents…and be victorious! We can coach alongside men and even have men as our assistants. Privilege means not having to always come in second place. Privilege means going for the gold; the silver medal is not the highest honor we can achieve.

Privilege is paternity leaves and men cooking US dinner (Man, make me a sandwich! Well, that might be taking it too far). Privilege is sharing the chores, and privilege is a check in your checkbook that has both your names on it. Privilege is choices, so many choices, too many choices, but choices we are glad to have the right to make. Privilege is freedom. Privilege is progress. Privilege is being aware of where we’ve been, being grateful for where we are, and striving for what is ahead. Privilege is all around; privilege is to be embraced and cherished.


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