Communicating Events and Issues

At The White House Project, it is very important to educate the community about relevant issues and events. I believe that this communication process allows the non-profit organization to express the importance of their organization to their community. Since I started working at The White House Project, they have been preparing to educate the community about Women’s History. Women’s History month is in March, which happens to be this month and a very important holiday to The White House Project; an organization whose focus is to advance women in the political world of today. The White House Project has been preparing facts about Women’s History and plans to put a new fact everyday on their facebook and twitter site. These two social networking sites is one of their main mediums for communicating to the community. This is where they post facts about current issues/holidays, like Women’s History Month, and also announce events, like political activities around the city. I believe that this message is communicated well with respect to how it is communicated. It is communicated in a very professional manner, uses correct grammar, and gives one a positive perspective of the organization if they have never heard of it. On that note, I do believe that the only down side to their communication is the fact that their main medium is their social networking sites. I think that the downside to this is that only their “fans” receive their informational postings. This method is not very effective at expanding their “following” or “fans”, and if the word of this organization’s cause is not spread, it is possible that their objective takes longer to accomplish. The book discusses the fact that in communication, meanings are created through human interaction with symbols. I believe that if they expand their message to different mediums, their word will get out more effectively. Once this happens, I think that more people will attend their events and be aware of their relevant issues. If they in essence “brand” these events and issues with their organization, people may become more aware through the communication process of human interaction with symbols. I think that this lesson in the book about communication itself, can be very helpful as well as beneficial to The White House Project.

To learn more about events and issues pertaining to THe White House Project, go to TheWhiteHouseProject.Org

Gender in the Classroom

Over the last week while I sat in class, I analyzed the gender dynamics within the different classrooms. Through my analysis, I determined which gender dominantly teaches my classes, which gender dominantly attends the classes, as well as examine the gender interactions between the teachers and students. The first thing that I noticed was that the majority of my classes are taught by female gendered professors; three out of my four classes. I found it very interesting that the genders attending varied by the gender of the instructor. In my World Resources class, which is taught by a male gendered individual, and is around a 100 person lecture class; consist of mostly male gendered students. The day I counted the students there were 65 students present, 42 of them being male gendered students and 23 female gendered students. My Green Marketing class, which is taught by a female gendered professor, is about half and half. Argumentation and Advocacy, taught by a female gendered instructor, has 5 male gendered students and 16 female gendered students. My Gender and Communication class, which is also taught by a female gendered professor, also has a low rate of male gendered students, with 6.  

The gender attendance did vary based on the professor’s gender, but I do not believe that there is any true correlation; I find it to be somewhat of a coincidence. The only explanation that I would possibly consider is examining the fact that both classes with very low male gendered attendance are both classes in the Speech Communication department. I do not know if there are more female gendered students in this department, if there are; I believe that this could be the answer to this phenomenon. If the ratio is even, I do not believe that there is any reason for the correlation. I have a hard time believing that each gender picks their classes based on their professor’s gender; I am a male gendered student with 75% of his professors being female gendered, I am proof that this is not true.

Studying the gender interactions between the teachers and students was a little more intricate than the quantitative first half of my analysis. In my lecture class, there is not much of any interaction between the instructor and his students. He gets to class, sets up his computer and power point, gives an hour long lecture, and then ends class; this routine is very predictable. Even though there is limited interaction with his students, I believe that his gender is communicated through his prescribed teaching routine. I think that it shows that male gendered professors tend to be more straight forward, to the point, and concise with their information. My other three professors, whom are female gendered, have a more interactive teaching style. I find their interactions with students relatively the same. All of the interactions are fairly relaxed, but are still presented in a professional manner. I can see this being a backlash from the Women’s Movements; described in earlier blogs, class discussion, as well as the book. The movements expressed the fact that women too can succeed in the workforce, I believe that their teaching style proves this to be true. I do not see the female gendered professors favoring any gender over another, nor have I experienced this with a male gendered instructor. This analysis showed me that there is limited gender bias in my schooling environment, which makes me feel rather comfortable with the advancement of our society.

The expectations I have about working with my organization

I believe that the main expectation I have about working with my organization, is the fact that there is more pressure to conform to femininity rather than masculinity. I think that this expectation comes from the purpose of the organization itself. The White House Project is designed to help women advance in the political world. Thus, it makes sense to me for the organization to conform to femininity rather than masculinity.

In chapter 8, it discusses that female peer groups reinforce feminine identity in most girls. I still do not know all too much about The White House Project, but I view the organization as a female peer group essentially. That being said, I am expecting that this organization of female peer groups pressure others to conform to femininity rather than masculinity, because the group is supposed to reinforce their feminine identity; expressing the reasons why women should be in office.

Thus far, I would say that this expectation of mine is unfounded. I am saying this, because I personally have not been pressured to conform in either direction. The White House Project is not trying to get any women in office that they can, but rather the right women. I believe that this shows a lot of responsibility. The organization understands that if too many “bad” women get in office, then the whole idea could go down the drain. That being said, I feel that their femininity will be pressured when the opportune time arrives.

Another expectation I have about working with my organization, deals a lot with chapter 3. Chapter 3 is about Women’s Movements in the United States. The chapter discusses different waves, and the specific movements of each wave.

I am expecting the organization to refer to some of these movements. The Women’s Movements in the United States have helped get women to where they are today. The White House Project, aiming to advance women in the political world, seems to be trying to start their own movement. I believe that if you are embarking on a journey like this, one may persuade or influence another to their side by informing them of other successful women movements. It also makes sense to me for one to examine some of the movements, that way they can learn what worked well and what did not.

I would say that this expectation is supported by the artifacts in The White House Project office. Over a desk hangs a 1960’s poster that supports women in the work force. On another wall there is a large photo of an ecofeminism movement. These artifacts express my expectation to be true, at least to some extent.

Male & Female Movements

The feminist movement, also known as the Women’s Lib, is a women’s movement that I identify with. This movement had many angles; they stood for voting rights, maternity leave, equal pay, reproductive rights, and many other important life values. I identify with this movement because I believe that men and women should be treated equal, just like a white and a black, or a Jew and a Gentile. This idea of equality goes great with my service learning organization, The White House Project. The White House Project is trying to bring equality into politics, for example more women in office. I believe if this goal is met, then our nation could be on our way to a more equal rights place of living. While thinking about the feminist movement and gender expectations, I believe that the movement itself changed the gender expectations of a female in America. The movement showed that women are equal and they deserve the same rights, and after time, eventually the gender expectation changed; expecting more from the gendered female. To further elaborate on this, stereotypes “a generalization about an entire class of phenomenon based on some knowledge of some members of the class”. Women were stereotyped as people who take care of the house and raise the children, but now women can be stereotyped as business women to several degrees. Therefore, women in the 1950’s had different stereotypes about them then they do now; thus once again, I am stating the fact that the gender expectations of a female in America have changed because of the feminist movement. I experience personal impact from this movement every day, and so does every other American. I think that this movement changed the path of women, if it weren’t for this movement or movements of this nature, gender expectations may have never changed and women could possibly still not vote. This movement’s impact affects all of us, and I believe it is for the better, creating a more civil and equal place for living. I believe that this movement has made me want to try to help women with their advancements in today’s society, and I think that working with The White House Project is the perfect place to start.

Link to a great feminist movement picture…  skipmaclure.wordpress.com

The men’s movement is a social movement. I believe that this movement is also changing gender expectations in America, but obviously for males in this case. The male movement is about gender role and improving men’s rights with child access and regard to marriage. I identify with this male movement. I believe that men get shafted with respect to marriage and child access. It is typical for the women to get the rights to the children and receive the benefit of the doubt in marriage divorcé courts. Touching back on the women’s movement I previously discussed, if women can change their gender expectations from the “house” into the “workforce”; why shouldn’t men be able to do the same except vice versa? I believe that this process is too trying to alter the expectations of the male gender. The movement is trying to say that men have a caring mother touch in them, and they too can run the house and raise a family. The movement has an impact on me because I am a gendered male. I believe that as this movement progresses it will be ok for a male to be a stay-at-home dad. This affects me personally, because I could possibly do that (not really planning on it, but could), and if I were to I would want to be able to do it without any judgment or persecution from society. I do not think I will do anything about this movement. I support it 100%, but it’s not for me in the sense that I have different goals. Furthermore, I do believe in an equal place of living. And if we are to live in a place like this, men too should have the choice of “house” or “workforce”.

Pre-Service Learning

I start my service learning in 2 days, and to say the least, I am not too sure what to expect. I decided to do my service learning with the organization The White House Project. I am honestly not too sure what this organization does, but obviously things related to politics. I do not know very much about politics, so I am very excited to my start learning experience. I decided to choose The White House Project, because it was available, it is relatively close to my house, and their schedule worked with mine. I have spoken with the lead supervisor, Katie Ellis, several times this week. I begin my service learning this Friday at 9:45 am. She invited me to sit-in on one of her overviews of The White House Project, I believe that this is a great first step for me. It will allow me to get acclimated with the employees and the organization itself. I am very excited to learn what I get to do for the organization. I guess I could either help with their social media, communication projects, research, or even just help out by filing and doing data input; no matter what I do, I am very excited to start my work and learning experience. With respect to gender and gender expectations, I wonder what the organization will expect from me because of my gender. Will their expectations for someone else be different than the expectations for myself? Will my deliverable be the same as the other students? All of these questions I will be able to answer, it is only a matter of time

Gender Expectations

The earliest interaction that I can remember with my parents where gender expectations were communicated, was when I was about 5 years old. I was learning how to ride my bike, I was doing some extreme riding, and of course, I took a nasty spill. I do not really remember being in pain, but I most certainly remember thinking I was in the worst pain anyone could ever experience. So I did what any other 5 year old would do, cry his little eyes out. My father came over to me, I thought he would come over and comfort me; maybe tell me something like, "oh that wasn't your fault, it's not too bad, everything will be just fine". But instead, he came over and told me that men do not cry, and until I stop crying he will treat me like a child. This was my first gender expectation experience I can remember. My father communicated to me that the male gender is suppose to be tuff guys, who do not cry, and apparently do not feel physical pain. To this day, I still find that to be relatively true, but on the other hand, I think that if a guy cries that does not make him any less of a man.

The most recent interaction that I have had where gender expectations were communicated was today while I was watching television. I believe that the host on the show communicated gender expectations. They communicated their gender expectations by their clothes, their body language, and their responses to certain statements. Replying with statements like, "so you maned up and hit the jump", implies that the male gender is suppose to be risk-takers with a sense of fearlessness. His body language communicated that he was a gender male, and males are able to slouch around and be relaxed; which may be seen as predominantly true, women tend to have more focus on their posture. His clothing implied that the male gender typically wears lose clothing, and is not too fashion oriented; which is not always the case. Gender expectations are communicated everywhere, on television, in commercials; each individual person around the world communicates their gender expectations everyday. When a person gets dressed, or drives a car, or replies to statements or actions, is all essentially based on their expectations of what their given gender should do. For example, if a person drives fast, that is fine. But if they believe that all men drive fast, and they drive fast because they are a man, then their everyday action of driving expresses one of their gender expectations.