We are (in case you didn't know) (you probably know) required to write 2 blogs weekly, and one - due on Friday - has to be about any questions we have regarding class.
On a purely comprehensive level, I have more or less understood we've done in class. But I do have a question to poise.
Before reading this, please don't read this as a criticism of the course or instructor. That's not it at all. It's more a criticism of society, I guess.
I wonder why we feel the need to gather information about race, gender, and sexual orientation from the narratives unless they are specifically relevant to the piece. Obviously, 'getting to know' the narrator is important, but personally I have a non-binary gender identity that I feel are not necessarily important to relate to the humanity that I present in my narrative.
I say this mainly because the person who read my narrative pinned me down as a "straight woman." This doesn't bother me at all. It also wouldn't bother me if I was thought to be a "gay man." I really couldn't care less, but I feel that information is irrelevant to my narrative. I am completely comfortable being referred to with she/her, they/them and he/him pronouns, as I feel my gender is not as important as my humanity. So I wonder why do we have to feel we know someone's gender to know them?
I am male bodied. I am dating a cisgender, gay man. I identify in a way specifically tailored to myself, and it's something I don't ask anyone else to understand. To acknowledge, yes, but not to fully understand. As a matter of fact, I don't want anyone to. That is something I have constructed myself and something I'm very confident in.
Generally, I feel I can be known as a person, especially through my writing, with or without any indication as to orientation, sex, or gender identity. I do refer to my boyfriend in my writing. That's all I feel is truly important.
If you're interested, look up the poem "Gender is a Universe" by Lacey Roop.
Thanks for letting me indulge myself.
:)
That's the reason why I also had you rank how important these things are to who you are and to people being able to understand who you are. I totally agree that certain traits aren't important to your story or they just might not be that important to you at all. Some people go through life never thinking about their gender or race while others are hyper-aware of it and often make choices and view the world certain ways because of it. I definitely didn't see your post as a criticism of me or the course. It is a valid point. Very thoughtful post.
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