Light of the Darkness
Posted by: Drew on: 3 November 2009
I came upon this post a few days ago discussing the actual color of the universe. It isn’t black as you might think upon casual observance. It’s actually a whitish color. While thinking about this, my mind drifted into the spiritual realm as it often does. This can’t just be a scientific observation. It must mean something! Or at least I can wrench some sort of metaphor out of it, and I did.
In our lives, we experience so much suffering and so much pain. Throughout history, we have tried to explain this, sometimes more successfully than others. Well here is a new metaphor for our scientific age. Because of our limited senses we do not see light that has shifted out of our visible spectrum. It is still light, but our experience of it is not. Perhaps, we can think of our life experiences in such a manner. All experiences contribute to who we are and are thus light, even if we cannot figure out how. I know for certain that if I didn’t have a certain “darkness” in my life, I would never have met one of my good friends of today. Think about how this image can help you out in your life.
Hoping for Inclusivity, Riding for Equality
Posted by: Drew on: 14 October 2009
This past weekend was one that gave me great hope, great courage, great knowledge, and great people. Where was I that this happened? At Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster for the Institute for Welcoming Resources‘ training “Building an 
Inclusive Church.” Led by Anita Bradshaw of IWR and by Carol Wise of the Brethren Mennonite Council, I was among 15 people of Mennonite, Brethren, Baptist, Catholic, and UCC background, learning what we as individuals and as congregations could do to make our congregations and our denominations welcoming and affirming for queer-folk. Amongst the participants, we had a wide spectrum of where our home congregations are on this matter. So a few things I learned, or was reminded of, perhaps? Read the rest of this entry »
Esther, Vashti, and Feminist Mennonites
Posted by: Drew on: 4 October 2009
This morning in our service and education hour, the story of Esther was discussed in relation to how we relate to Empire. But in our discussions got a little into how Queen Vashti is depicted in the book as a villain, but how her actions are actually pretty virtuous to us as modern feminist Mennonites. So I’d love to do some reading on this, but have no idea where to find the resources. If you know of anything regarding this let me know.
What Matters More?
Posted by: Drew on: 30 September 2009
For lyrics, go here.
A Comment on Gendered Athletics
Posted by: Drew on: 30 September 2009
- In: LGBT| South Africa| athletics| games| gender| queer| sex
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In my Sex and Gender class, someone brought up the recent incident in South Africa over an intersex runner competing in the women’s competitions. One of my classmates then basically said that there is no place for the intersexed in athletics. I beg to differ, and this is how I responded. Any additional comments?
On the surface this does seem to be an unsolveable problem. But the only thing that this means is that we need to figure out a new way to hold athletic competition. Just because you don’t fit into society’s acceptable sexes doesn’t mean that you are not capable in athletics. So let’s queeer our thought and come up with a solution. In the discussions about women in the military, we see a suggestion that sex not put up as a barrier, due to the fact that there is a general physical “advantage” by the males of our species. I’d like to suggest that the same thought should be applied here. Let all people regardless of their sex (female, male, or other) compete against each other. Some will say, but then the women have no way to win. So then establish a tiered system based on ability, not on sex. We already have distinctions between ability and disability, ie. Special Olympics. Why not expand the tiers throughout the system, so that people such as Ms. Semanya can continue to do what she loves.
S/G Discussion #1
Posted by: Drew on: 22 September 2009
In light of this module’s readings, please discuss the statement “Anatomy is Destiny.” Do you agree or disagree? why? Be sure to define and explain your position as either essentialist or constructivist. Is there any way to transcend this divide?
Whether or not I agree with the statement that “anatomy is destiny” depends on how one defines those terms, I suppose. If we’re talking about whether someone has a certain type of genitalia, then anatomy is not destiny. If by destiny we mean that there is a restricting force telling us how we must live, then anatomy is not destiny. However, I do not feel that a face value reading of this statement does it justice. In brief (if that can be done), we all have a sexual nature unique to each of us and that gives us a starting point. Our society then attempts to define and reconstruct these natures in ways to make them more understandable and conformable. So through society, we end up with categories such as male, female, intersex, gay, and transgender. Therefore, these words and the identities attached are all constructed by society, but behind them are a sexual essence in each individual. If not identical, this viewpoint is at least very similar to the theories of Elizabeth Grosz that Fausto-Sterling describes, “thus while their bodies provided the raw materials, without a social setting, the clay could not be molded into recognizable psychic form.” (20) In the end, while I embrace the idea of a mobius strip concept here, if I must take on a label it would be that of constructivist.
Sex and Gender Learning Goals
Posted by: Drew on: 22 September 2009
My first writing assignment for my Sex and Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspectives class was to write a short reflection on why I’m actually taking the class. You could probably say this actually a reflection on what my life goals are, not just my class goals. So here it is.
Academically, my reasons for taking this course deal with my desire to understand how society’s power structures use different categories to control various populations. My queer identity gives me a personal experience to understand that sex and gender are definitely one of these “othering” categories. And because of this identity there is a deeper level of reasoning for me. Having grown up in an environment where feminism was a dirty word, I need a new foundation to justify the paradigm shift that I have forced upon myself in the last few years. I hope to replace what I was taught growing up with a better understanding of topics in gender and sexuality based in reality. Also, I’d like to better understand what these topics personally mean to me, as I deal with a blossoming of my own sexuality as a young gay man. For example, I’d like to learn how I might be able to merge my essentialist concept of sexuality with my constructivist concept of gender. Ultimately, if I can fit everybody’s experiences into my conceptions, it is then that I can help others to achieve the same thing so that our society may be a place of more diversity and justice.
Support Wealthcare!!!
Posted by: Drew on: 16 September 2009
World Prayers
Posted by: Drew on: 14 September 2009
- In: Islam| Paganism| christianity| prayer| religion| truth
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I just discovered a really good site today. Called World Prayers, its aim is to collect prayers from all the world’s traditions and non-traditions. Whether Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, or Pagan, the many prayers found here are words that inspire and direct mind and spirit outward and upward. I will definitely be using this resource and have posted a link in the sidebar of this site for easy access. An example below for your inspiration:
I arise today
Through a mighty strength:God’s power to guide me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s eyes to watch over me;
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to give me speech,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to shelter me,
God’s host to secure me.irish – first millenium – bridgid of gael
Convincing? I think so.
Posted by: Drew on: 11 September 2009
- In: LGBT| You-Tube| change| gay| homosexuality| love| marriage equality| politics
- 2 Comments
Of course, I’m already convinced that I shouldn’t have to do what this young man did.
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