Celebrate a New Week with Gender Equality

          Happy Monday, everyone! Pride month is drawing to a close, but it's been a pretty great one this year. I know that Mondays are kinda rough for some people, so I'm cheering you all up with a cool comic that perfectly embodies the true spirit of gender equality. 
          Here's the link to the original imgur page, but I'm also including the image below. It's kinda big, but it's worth the read.
          Remember, sexism isn't a "men's issue" or a "women's issue". Sexism affects everyone negatively, although I do have to admit that women have it kinda worse. (Femicide, anyone?) However, the stereotypes that claim that men always have to be interested in the same things, act the same way, and not express emotion are ridiculous and incredibly harmful. All in all, I agree with the message of this image- Sexism will not be overcome until both women and men can recognize it as a serious issue that hurts both groups, and work together.
          Have a great and world-improving week!
 

Update: I can't seem to get the image to be at a good size for reading that doesn't fall out of my post, so you can either zoom in your browser to view it here, or view the original on imgur. If anyone knows how to fix the issue, please shoot me a comment to let me know! Blogger needs to add some more features... 

Ghosts of Prejudice I

          There have been times and places when all human beings were equal. Sadly, such places and times are few and far apart. Yet, in many of those eras when humans were far too unequal, there was no common belief that humans are born inherently less than others- just a lingering belief that that was the way things should be, and always had been. We live in such a time. I now present to you the first in a series of short posts I will write about prejudices in our world today, why they came to be, and ponder why they still haunt us. 

Adam and Eve by Titian

Sexy/Pure: The Female Story

          Today, females are generally expected to be "pure" in order to be accepted. So-called sluts are viewed as the exception, not the rule, and abstinence is encouraged by many who see themselves as patriarchs. Yet, if we look into the past, it doesn't seem to have always been that way. 

          For starters, we have the bible. It's an obvious culprit- an ancient book (I'm not here to dispute whether God wrote it or not, we all can acknowledge that it's old) that is still regularly consulted. Although its readers may have good intentions, its sheer age makes it a perfect preservation site for outdated prejudices. 

          Looking at the very beginning of the bible, to the tale of Adam and Eve, it is obvious that Eve is portrayed as the impure one. It's she who submits to temptation, therefore "sin", and takes that fruit from the snake. Adam is good and upright even after his ejection from Eden, whereas Eve is the first sinner of the pair, a fallen woman. If this truly was the beginning of humankind, the portrayal of Eve was no good omen for women of the future. 

           In Greek mythology, we hear even more cries shouting that women are the slaves of desire. One story depicts Zeus and Hera, king and queen of the Olympian gods, respectively, arguing over who possessed more capacity for lust and pleasure: man or woman. Eventually, the pair consulted Tiresias, a man who had once been turned into a woman. He reported that women were ten times as lustful as men. (Hera blinded him in rage at this, as she wasn't the most merciful of the Goddesses.)

           Many other examples can be found throughout history of women being seen as uncontrollable sex-fiends: court records, literature, mythology, etc. Try finding some of your own information if you like- it's all out there. At some point, though, there was a change. Something happened that turned a woman from a "lustful animal" to a "pure angel". Our best guess is, it began partially with the Christian church. 

          Now, this isn't to say that the change was immediately, inherently bad. Church officials, when they began painting this image of the holy and innocent female, probably thought they were doing women a favor by giving ladies of status a more noble standard to hold themselves up against. Over time, the idea caught hold, and soon the tables were turned- the untrue stereotype of men being pure and upright while women were tainted and wild had turned into the untrue stereotype of men being slaves to their instincts, with women seen as innocent. 

          Wait- there's something strange here. Before, females were kept out of leadership positions because they were seen as sinners, more susceptible to temptation, whereas men were strong enough to keep their emotions at bay. Now, women must live up to an untainted standard, the phrase "boys will be boys" has fully integrated itself into the English language, the good, obedient wife is our societal ideal, and victim-blaming is common in rape scenarios. Despite this turnaround, women are still seen or treated as inferior by many. This switching may seem ridiculous, but with a bit of common sense, anyone can see that it exists. The question is, why? 

-Lily

Sources: Encyclopedia Britannica, the Book of Genesis

Rainbows for Russia: Muffins

          Ah, Rainbows for Russia. A much more challenging project than I had made it out to be. Do you know how long it took me to figure out how to make rainbow muffins? All month. All. Month. 

          However, I overcame several difficulties and created this masterpiece of a food. Granted, there is room for improvement, but it tasted good and looked pretty good so I am happy. Good lord, I am happy. I finally did it. *pants* I really need to work on my baking skills. Anyway, the point is that here they are: rainbow themed creations of my own making. I am dedicating these muffins to Russia, for their hosting of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and Paralympics- not exactly without a hitch, but without major disruptions. As proven by many Olympic Games in years gone by,  this is a pretty great accomplishment. More specifically, these muffins are dedicated to the LGBT community in Russia. People can debate the finer points of the reasons for this as much as they like, but it's generally agreed that it is not easy being a LGBT person in Russia. So for that, I make these muffins in their name. 

          Have any of you guys thought of making a Rainbow for someone or somewhere? If you have, please tell me about it in the comments. Thanks!

-Lily 

Rainbows for Russia

          I know it's been a long time, but I'm here as promised. I've been really busy as an important Science Olympiad even has been coming up and I've needed to take a lot of time to prepare for my events. Sincere apologies. 
          So, as I hinted at in my last post, I painted my nails rainbow. I did it for a reason, though, and you can probably guess that too. I wanted to show my support for the LGBTQ community- but more specifically, the LGBTQ community in Russia. 
          Being repressed kinda sucks. Being repressed in Russia, though I can only imagine, must suck a lot. In addition, Russia's been getting a lot of hate from the rest of the world due to some of the goings on at the Sochi 2014 Olympics- tough anti-gay laws, butchering of stray dogs, bad living conditions for guests, infected water- and true, none of these things are good, but they're not the entire country's fault. Claiming that's so is like to claiming that all Americans are responsible for the nation's economy issues and high obesity rates. True, some particular corporations and political parties carry a lot of the responsibility for these issues, but you can't blame the entire county. The same with Russia. 
          You guys know that I love it when the Internet puts positive things out into the world. I mean, who enjoys scrolling through your Facebook feed and coming across sad, depressing, or just mean-spirited words and images? Not many people, I'm guessing. If you do, you probably need some help. I hate it when that happens, personally. So when I noticed a pretty good number of rude and bigoted comments online directed towards Russia- the whole of Russia- I decided to take matters into my own hands. Literally. 
          I painted my fingernails rainbow, because rainbows are not negative. This fact is not up for debate. Rainbows are positive, and they're the most widely known symbol of support for the LGBTQ community. I painted my fingernails rainbow, because they are a positive sign of support for the LGBTQ community, and I painted them for Russia. Here you go, Russia. Have a rainbow, they're free.
          My project for the month of March is to make as many rainbow-themed things that are directed to Russia, and post them on the Internet. The goal isn't to necessarily make these things so that Russia will see them, but that there will be positive things on the Internet about Russia that don't put down other countries, either. If you'd like to help, just make something- write, sing, draw, sculpt, just create- that's rainbow themed. Put it out into the Internet, and comment on this post about it when you do. Bonus points if it's directed at another country. Double bonus points if that country's government is oppressive, especially to the LGBTQ community. Cookies if it's directed at Russia. Well, I can't actually bake you cookies, but you should definitely treat yourself to some. You deserve it. If you're posting to twitter, instagram, or any other site where hashtags are usable, tag it #rainbowsfortheworld, then hashtag the specific country or community that you're targeting. 
          Spread the word. Show off the rainbows. Let people know. I'll keep you updated on my rainbow journey throughout the month. We'll see what happens. 

-Lily
           

The Olympic Soap Opera that is Sochi 2014

          The Sochi Olympic Games has been full of drama so far, and the games haven't even begun (and no, I'm not talking about Lindsey Vonn's knee).

          I'll be happy to help keep you guys up to date on that from a world-improving standpoint. 

          Today, I'll talk about the Russian anti-gay law. For those a little uncertain on exactly what it means, the law passed in 2013 bans "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations" that could be accessible to  minors, effectively making it illegal to spread gay rights material or even suggest that same-sex relationships are equal to heterosexual ones. The law has caused outrage worldwide, and even the legendary Sir Elton John called out the country for this "vicious homophobia" on his official website, saying that "Whatever the intention of Russia’s homosexuality and pedophilia propaganda laws, I am absolutely clear from my own personal experience that it is proving deeply dangerous to the LGBT community and deeply divisive to Russian society." Here's a quick excerpt from his complete statement. 

          "The people I met in Moscow – gay men and lesbians in their 20′s, 30′s and 40′s - told me stories about receiving threats from vigilante groups who would ‘cure’ them of homosexuality by dousing them with urine or beating them up. One young man was stalked outside a gay club by someone posing as a taxi driver who tried to garrote him with a guitar string because he was a 'sodomite'. Everyone shared stories of verbal and physical abuse – at work, in bars and restaurants or in the street – since the legislation came into force last June. And, some of the vital work providing HIV prevention information to the gay community has been labelled 'homosexual propaganda' and shut down."

          However, it's not just bad news today- many countries, people, and companies have echoed Elton's sentiments. Here are a list of who is speaking up, and how. 

• AT&T- the company was one of the first Olympic sponsors to officially object to the law.
• The USA- among the official U.S. delegation to the games are gay former Olympians Caitlin Cahow and Brian Boitano, an apparent move to show disapproval of Russia's policy.
• Google- you've probably noticed Google's new Google Doodle (above left). Along with the quote from the Olympic Charter shown beneath it, makes Google's stance on the Russian anti-gay law quite clear."The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play."  
• Human rights activists worldwide- protesters are speaking up across the globe for the right of LGBT people to live in peace and equality. 

          That's all for today, guys- stay in the Olympic spirit as the games begin, and don't miss the opening ceremony tonight! 

          -Fox

Sources: The Official Site of Elton John, NBC News, the Guardian, Philadelphia Daily News

Pink vs. Blue

          So, you know those superstores/supermarkets/big-box stores that sell everything from produce to appliances to their own cheap clothing lines? Chances are, you probably have one near your house. They're everywhere in America and other first world countries now, and few people buy the basic necessities anywhere else. It's cheap, it's low-priced, and did I mention that it's affordable? I can't deny the convenience of shopping at supermarkets, but there's one thing that I definitely hate having to buy there: toys.

          Maybe it's my baby cousin's birthday and I'm shopping for a present, so shopping cart at the ready, I head towards the toy section. The instant I get there, something stands out. There are two toy aisles- and they're very clearly divided. There's the pink section full of Barbie dolls, princess tiaras, etc, all underneath a pink sign that says "Girls". Then there's the blue section, where there are action figures, foam swords, and a big sign that says "Boys." There's such a clear barrier, a line that you're not supposed to cross. It's feminine OR masculine, Pink vs. Blue. Why does it have to be that way? Sure, the majority of boys and girls probably enjoy the toys in the boy and girl sections most, respectively, but why limit them both to only girly and only manly? The most well rounded people usually know how to keep a good balance of each, and by making the two sections exclusive, stores only support our Pink vs. Blue society. Not only is it not healthy to promote this to small children, it's unfair. So next time you're around a younger friend or family member, just remember not to help promote the sexist attitudes that start to affect small children the minute they learn to speak. 

I couldn't find any royalty free images that were relevant to this post, so here's a picture of my dog a few days after he was born. You're welcome.

The Death of Doctor Who: A Nod to Someone who was Proud to be Different

          I'd like to note that according to an article at BBC News that can be read here, the death of John Clews was a manslaughter, not a murder. Still, the gang violence that took his life serves as a reminder of how the different are often seen as less- and how we often lose so many people that way, whether they are lost to conformity or to the hate they get from those who refuse to accept them. Hate crime isn't something to be taken lightly.

PICTURE FROM BBC NEWS

           From change.org: (The petition can be viewed and signed here)

          "In 2006, Bromsgrove resident John Clews, known to locals as "Doctor Who", died after an altercation with local youths in the town centre. His death shocked the town and stands as a reminder of how those who are different or eccentric can be ostracised and victimised.

          A statue in memory of John will remind us all that we should cherish our differences - after all, what do they matter, as long as we remember to be nice to each other?

          It will also show than when awful things happen as a result of human behaviour, that there is no need to respond in kind, and instead we can come together and make something positive out of what has happened.

          RIP John Clews."
          
         Thank you to my friend Shaun for bringing this story to my attention.

Plus-Size Model is so Awesome, Ellen DeGeneres Applauds Her

          Have you ever seen a video of an interview so amazing, you just want to hug the interviewee? This is one of those interviews. Some say that Robyn Lawley, a plus-size model, is fat- she begs to differ. Here's a  video of her amazing interview on the Ellen show, where she says the most sense about female body image I've ever heard anyone say. Please watch! 

Racist Little Nine-Year-Olds

          When I was in fourth grade, racism became real. Obviously it had been real before that, but not in my world. In my world, it didn't matter that I was biracial, or my friend was Chinese, or my dad was Hispanic, or my teacher African American. I knew about racism, but race didn't matter to me- people were just people. One year, in just elementary school, I got a rude awakening to how racism could affect everyone, even me. That was when I realized that even kids as young as nine or ten had already learned to be... Well, racist. 
          I remember one day at recess when  I was hanging out with my friend Hannah* when some of the kids started up discussing good pairings for their classmates (fourth graders, am I right?) when someone suggested to Tyler* that he and Hannah* would make a good couple. He just blinked in confusion for a moment before saying, "I wouldn't date someone like her. She's black." He didn't even say it in a mean way, and it definitely wasn't a joke. 
          Once at lunch, I was sitting next to Will*, when he frowned at looked down at his lunch tray. "I don't like beans... Anyone else want them?" 
          "Ask Lily," Dylan* replied. "I bet she likes beans, I mean look at her." That was annoying. Call me a terrible Mexican, but I hate beans. Assuming that I liked them because of my skin color wasn't okay. 
          My point is, misconceptions and prejudice about race start at a young age. No one is born this way, but children learn by imitation. And once they stop imitating their parents, who do they look to for an example of "cool"? Us. Teens. We show the next generation how to behave, and when we behave in a racist manner, we just ensure that this will go on generation after generation. We don't have to, though. If we just treat each other as equals no matter skin color or country of origin, people will take note. The next generations will learn by imitation, and if the people they imitate are diverse and accepting, then they will be too. 

*indicates a name change in order to protect person mentioned

Seven Steps to Being a Superhero

          Everybody wants to be a superhero. Everybody. I used to want to be Spider-Man... Even though I'm a girl... Don't ask. Anyway, my point is, everybody wants to be a hero, even if it isn't a super one. Now, I don't know about you, but I'd rather fight discrimination than the Green Goblin.  The Harry Osborn version of him was actually pretty cool, better than Norman Osborn anyway. The point is, here are some steps that anyone can take to being a hero.

1. Identify and accept what makes you different. Write down some of the things that you, not anyone else, believe defines you, and write why that is a good thing. Know where your beliefs and individual quirks originated and why they are important.
2. Challenge yourself to do something different. Join new a club, take a new route to work, try a new restaurant, etc. I know that I keep repeating this one, but it really pays off. 
3. Keep learning. Meet a diverse spread of people, read a wide variety of books, and through it all, keep an open mind and learn about beliefs other than your own. But always remember to...
4. Wait before you judge. Just because somebody isn't like you or isn't like the societal stereotype doesn't mean that they're "bad" or "wrong". Please, give people a chance before you make any decisions about them, don't make assumptions.
5. Make sure everyone is heard equally. Don't let labels get in the way of hearing what everyone is saying and treating them as the equals they are, and include everyone despite what you may have assumed about them in the past.
6. Speak up. When you see examples of discrimination, don't just let it happen! Stand up for the victim(s) and make a positive impact. You don't realize how much this could mean to people, and doing the right thing is always good.
7. Fight for change. Once you change your own mindset about discrimination, you can start to change other people's mindsets too. As Ghandi said, "In a gentle way, you can shake the world."

The Media is a Barbie Ad

Think about the typical commercial on TV, whether it’s for makeup or cooking utensils- who are portrayed as the beautiful, dauntless damsels? Most likely, they’re tall, white, skinny, thick-lashed, full-lipped, nearly symmetrical, and quite often blonde. To me, that sounds like a Barbie doll. How about a sports equipment ad or an action movie? The leading men all seem very similar. They’re strong, tan, muscular, dashing, buff, surrounded by scantily clad Barbies, and did I mention that they’re pretty ripped? It looks like G.I. Joe and his buddies made it to the party.

Why this is a Bad Thing

Every girl and every guy is expected to fit these narrow standards of femininity and masculinity, people who don’t are considered lesser, and the world will continue to run smoothly- that’s how our society works. However, very few people do fit these stereotypes. There are other ethnicities than Caucasian. There are other body types than stick-thin (with a large bust, of course) and extremely muscular. Not everybody plays football, or likes boybands, is a fashionista, a corporate king, has a face like a goddess, or works out every day. There’s nothing inherently wrong with these things individually, but the way our society portrays it, you have to have all the “right qualities” and more to be happy and successful. The message is everywhere- TV, ads, song lyrics, movies, commercials, even the descriptions in books- sometimes subtle, sometimes blaringly loud. Nearly everyone has been bombarded with images of false perfection and wondered, “Am I normal?”

No. You are not normal. But I’ll tell you a secret- no one really is. And if they were, the world would be so, incredibly, boring. We’re told that we all have to be Barbies and Joes. The truth is, though, the real world is frankly much more interesting than the Barbie Dream House our society tells us is ideal. It’s full of different cultures, different personalities, different passions, different people. Instead of identical, plastic Barbies and G.I. Joes, it’s populated by entirely unique people, each one full of different components that make them interesting. Still, the media and businesses push that “perfect” image of those fake dolls so hard, that not only do people believe that they have to fit these societal standards, but many of them expect the same of others. Too many people don’t realize that being different is as much a part of us as having hearts that beat. You can’t punch the different out of someone; you can’t bully it out of them. Still, people will scorn and hit and laugh and wear at someone until they’re tired and broken and scared: too scared to show what’s inside. Sometimes they hit so hard -with words, actions, or fists- that we fashion ourselves into a thing like them and let our different go. What’s inside will always be there, but some people bury it so deep that no one will ever see it again. We all change naturally over time, some people change us, and that’s okay, but some people damage us. That isn’t. Some things hurt us, some people hurt us, but if we let them make us compromise our real selves, we let the pain win.

Alternatives to Hate

Changing ourselves to stop the hate might seem like a logical course of action, but what if someone accepted you for who you really are? What if we could be different, proud of it, and accepting of people who are different than us? Wouldn’t that give us the strength to survive hate and challenges, and take action against it? Sometimes it is easier to give up, when other people are too ignorant or hurt to do anything but hurt us; but just like there’s rejection in the world, there are people who will reach out to you. Sometimes you need to find people like this. Sometimes you need to be them: someone who proudly wears their own brand of different and accepts others for theirs, someone who knows that even though we’re all different, we’re all equal.

It’s easier to stay with the crowd and march along with everyone else, but you’re so trapped that if you ever take a step in your own direction, you’re trampled by everyone going against you. It’s better to break away from the horde, find your own path, and stretch out a helping hand to that other person you see pushed to the ground. Being your authentic self is hard sometimes, but it doesn’t have to be lonely; if you reach out to others, some of them are bound to take your hand. Even the worst of challenges seem easier when there is someone by your side who accepts and supports the real you, instead of just the mask you put on. Just keep on being the best version of yourself that you can be and be accepting of others. We don’t live in the “perfect” Barbie Dream House that the media tells us we should. There’s too much weird, exciting, dangerous, awesome world out there for there to be room for that. Tackle it head-on, and chances are, you’ll find a place you love where you really belong. And the best part? The Dream House isn’t real. The crazy, awesome world is.

What you can Actually Do About it and Why you Should Try

Some people will read this and laugh, or shake their heads, or just ignore the words completely. Maybe they think these words are stupid, but why is conformation and bullying less stupid? According to cdc.gov, “for youth between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death. It results in approximately 6400 lives lost each year.” That many teens and young adults alone were miserable enough to end their own lives. Do you want to a) contribute to that number, b) do nothing, or c) help people, the world at large, and yourself? Maybe option c seems impossible in your situation, but here are some simple things anyone can do. (Unless you’re a hermit, in which case, enjoy your solitary lifestyle.)

1. Spend one day where you promise to be only your honest self, without trying to be like a Barbie or a G.I. Joe. It might be tricky, but it’s worth a try.
2. Have a conversation with someone outside your usual social circle. If you can, try meeting/introducing yourself to someone very different from you. It might broaden your horizons, and theirs.
3. No-bullying day: for one day, pledge not to tease, hit, or bully in any way someone because they’re different or because you disagree with them. Kids, teens, and adults can all hurt people, whether bullying or not. Spending a day focused on empathy will help prevent that. Also, if you’re being bullied, don’t just ignore it- reach out, stay strong, and remember not to fight fire with fire.
4. Try something you’ve never done before. Anything that broadens your horizons of the world works: you can visit a new place, try an exotic food, start a new sport or hobby, anything. Treat yourself to a change and experience more of the world.

If you can do these things all of the time, that’s great, but every bit helps. Really. Even if it seems impossible or pointless, even a little change helps. So why not give it a shot and break away from the Barbie/Joe worshipping culture? Why not accept that no people are the same? Why not see the world for the crazy, epic thing it can really be? The right thing is never the easy thing, but it’s the most rewarding in the end. The person we really are is never the “perfect” doll that society tells us we should be. The media may push the ideal life as a Dream House full of plastic dolls with tiny, superficial, “perfect” lives, your own life might feel dreary or miserable or lonely or boring, but it doesn’t have to be. You might have to take baby steps, but why let that stop you? Give it a shot.

-Lily Fox