Even with all the technological advancement we’ve seen these past centuries that made people’s lives easier, it hasn’t done much to some. Some people nurtured flexible thinking, not only in Sciences but also what makes them human- humanity. Compassion and empathy to the hardships of others should be a common ground for every human, but it seems not everyone has these traits. One example would be Ken Williamson, who published a writing, announcing that Laverne Cox is not a woman. For the record, Williamson is a white male who for the most of his upbringing has lived with the privilege ascribed to his identity simply for being born as a White male. According to McIntosh (1988), privileged people like him are not taught to see themselves as privileged
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He said and I quote, “Cox is not a woman, but an effigy of woman.”. Having his own opinion is one thing, everyone can have it even ignorant ones, but stating as if one has facts to support the claim made, is another. There are many reasons why he thinks this way, but as we learned from class, if an individual’s gender is ambiguous, it poses a threat to society because of the unpredictability. According to Delphy (2003), it also makes it difficult for people in power, mostly white men, to establish hierarchies and control what’s happening around them. Even just one who doesn’t belong to the binary will make it difficult to enforce preconceived social hierarchies. This was particularly the case with Cox being an MTF. In addition, I would also like to dispute Williamson’s claim that legislations are gradually imposing on society to treat delusions like Cox has, of being a woman when biology says otherwise, as fact. Under the International Bill of Gender Rights which was adopted in 1996, one has the rights to define and freely express one’s gender identity and if one so desires, has the right to change his/ her own body (Sastre, A., 2016). Therefore, by dismissing Cox rights to define him/ herself …show more content…
White men who control society won’t see reason how a man would like to be a weak woman who is simply a reflection, the “other” to man (Beauvoir, D. S, 2003). Why become a woman who is controlled, dominated, and thinks irrationally when you could be a man. Why become a woman who has no sense of identity if not associated with others. (E.g. husband) Moreover, if he was White, people (journalists and people in the media in general) wouldn’t have thought twice about Cox’s recognition in Time Magazine. For example, Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren or Giorgio Armani these individuals, if they so desire to be transgender, would be hailed for their bravery and courageousness battling social norms. His race and shift to femininity, these two factors are equally important because I presume that the reaction towards Cox would’ve been different if Cox was White and wanted to be a
He said and I quote, “Cox is not a woman, but an effigy of woman.”. Having his own opinion is one thing, everyone can have it even ignorant ones, but stating as if one has facts to support the claim made, is another. There are many reasons why he thinks this way, but as we learned from class, if an individual’s gender is ambiguous, it poses a threat to society because of the unpredictability. According to Delphy (2003), it also makes it difficult for people in power, mostly white men, to establish hierarchies and control what’s happening around them. Even just one who doesn’t belong to the binary will make it difficult to enforce preconceived social hierarchies. This was particularly the case with Cox being an MTF. In addition, I would also like to dispute Williamson’s claim that legislations are gradually imposing on society to treat delusions like Cox has, of being a woman when biology says otherwise, as fact. Under the International Bill of Gender Rights which was adopted in 1996, one has the rights to define and freely express one’s gender identity and if one so desires, has the right to change his/ her own body (Sastre, A., 2016). Therefore, by dismissing Cox rights to define him/ herself …show more content…
White men who control society won’t see reason how a man would like to be a weak woman who is simply a reflection, the “other” to man (Beauvoir, D. S, 2003). Why become a woman who is controlled, dominated, and thinks irrationally when you could be a man. Why become a woman who has no sense of identity if not associated with others. (E.g. husband) Moreover, if he was White, people (journalists and people in the media in general) wouldn’t have thought twice about Cox’s recognition in Time Magazine. For example, Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren or Giorgio Armani these individuals, if they so desire to be transgender, would be hailed for their bravery and courageousness battling social norms. His race and shift to femininity, these two factors are equally important because I presume that the reaction towards Cox would’ve been different if Cox was White and wanted to be a