Would you take gender studies classes from a professor who was a married man? Or would you feel that his position of privilege would taint his ability to teach the subject matter?
You thinking of going into gender studies, Shades? :)
You are quite perceptive, aren't you.
Yes, I'm considering it. But I've seen that there's a lot of negativity aimed at married white men. Indeed, my marital status negates my sexual identity (bi) in the eyes of many within the queer community. Many folks seem to believe that interaction dictates orientation, instead of vice-versa.
Gender studies is a very volatile topic, and my brief forays into the subject would seem to indicate that I am "the enemy," for lack of a better term. It's also possible that I've only stumbled on the militants so far. It's a topic that fascinates me, for various reasons. But if I would be pre-judged as a bad choice because of my skin color, chromosomal makeup, and marital status, there doesn't seem to be much reason to pursue it.
No doubt there are a few militant feminists who wouldn't take gender classes from someone with certain chromosomes. But I think most people are smart enough to recognize that one needn't be the oppressed to take in an interest in the issue. I don't think there's anybody who wouldn't be tainted or seen as biased in some way when it comes to gender studies. I mean a lesbian woman would bring her biased experiences into it as well, if subconsciously. We're all tainted by this gender thing.
I think you should go for it. Your perspective may even be an asset, a fresh set of eyes on the subject.
I always put stock in my instructors by the way they taught, not their ethnicity, gender, or marital status. With that said I have been told that others tend to be receptive attending the guest lectures I do since it is about gender and from someone who has "crossed the lines". How true that is or not I have no idea but it would be interesting to find out if there are any gender studies classes being taught at the Uni level by transsexual men and women.
The marriage negating the bi is because polyamory is such a dirty word in American culture, still. It gets frustrating at times trying to explain yes that I hang out with my girlfriend's boyfriend but no he and I do not sleep together.
Quote from: Syne on September 28, 2009, 04:05:46 PM
The marriage negating the bi is because polyamory is such a dirty word in American culture, still. It gets frustrating at times trying to explain yes that I hang out with my girlfriend's boyfriend but no he and I do not sleep together.
It's not just that. It's also that people ass/u/me that bisexual is synonymous with polyamorous. This can be the case, but it is not always the case.
Go to college and university faculty listings, and check out the major woman's studies departments and tell me how many males you find there?
Quote from: tekla on September 28, 2009, 05:50:41 PM
Go to college and university faculty listings, and check out the major woman's studies departments and tell me how many males you find there?
That was kind of my point.