Jill Soloway and Stacy Abrums

How does this election teach us about gender?

Jill Soloway Talks Donald Trump, Locker Rooms and Toxic Masculinity

After reading this article, the main point that Soloway discusses is men are viewed as the dominant gender versus all other genders. Therefore, some men objectify women because according to society, they are the top gender so they feel they have the right to say whatever they want to say. Soloway says, "White cis able-bodied educated males from the ruling class are at the top, holding nearly all of the planet." The election proves just that. A white cis able-bodied educated male won the presidential election for 2016. This same person quoted, "grab her by the p***y" which you wouldn't expect from our US President. As you can see, his morals make him unfit to be president but because he categorizes with society's standards, it doesn't matter what he says or does. In this way, that is how our election teaches us about gender. You must be a well rounded white male in order to have power and succeed.

Stacy Abrams Didn't Play It Safe. Neither Do These Female Candidates

Female candidates oppose a threat to male candidates. Some people might think that women are not qualified to run for government positions. It is only now that women are defying against the odds and running for positions that are normally occupied by men. Women have come such a long way in politics. We can see this in the 2016 election where Hilary Clinton ran as the Democratic Representative against Donald Trump who was the Republican Representative. Unfortunately, Hilary did not win, but still is a role model for women everywhere.

Connections

The readings that can be connected to these articles are "White Privilege" by Peggy McIntosh and "11 and Gender Fluid" by Erin Zelle.

I'll start off with McIntosh's article. The reason why I believe this article connects well to these readings is because both discuss how the white male is powerful in society. The reason why they are powerful is because of the privilege they withhold. Their social ranking is based off of their characteristics as white cis males which grant them the power and privilege they need in order to be at the top.

The second article that can be connected to the readings is Zelle's, "11 and Gender Fluid." This discusses another type of gender identity which does not follow the regular heterosexual, white male or female. I believe this can be connected more to Soloway. The reason why is because Soloway discusses if you are not the typical white, straight, male, then you will not amount to anything. It is believed that they are the preferred gender in society. This ruling out any other genders including gender fluidity.