Post #5: Iowa Midwife Issue

Article: http://www.dailyiowan.com/2012/09/21/Metro/29931.html

Response:

                The article refers to the struggle in Iowa regarding the illegality of home births. Though this may not seem to be a very important issue, ­­ it truly is because it is giving women, specifically the mother of the child and the midwife, a chance to be represented.  Both sets of these women have every right to be represented and treated equally. In most other states a midwife is legal, so why has not Iowa recognized this issue and fixed it. Personally, I have not had the experience of childbirth or the help of a midwife; however, I recognize that sometimes the option of a midwife is more comforting than the more popular options, such as the hospital. In general, the main goal of this article was to "raise awareness about the issues around childbirth," specifically through the film Freedom of Birth. The movie depicted a midwife whom was arrested and imprisoned in Hungary; thus showing lack of ability for a woman to explore her options and make the best decision for her and her baby.

                This issue creates various options for women regarding childbirth. It is crucial for women to understand that they have the option of midwives, because similar to the hospitals, the midwives have had medical experience and have delivered babies. I definitely agree with student Allison French who stated, "“I just think it’s important for women to know what options they have when it comes to having a child,” French said.  “It’s her choice because it’s her body." This point is crucial because a woman should have the knowledge of her options and thus should be able to choose which she wants. Specifically, as one relates this article to the class material it is important to also witness the struggle of how women are represented in society. Whether that means being granted to fulfill duties during childbirth rather than it being illegal or being under represented, thus needing to give women more opportunity to gain jobs, specifically in the media world where the dominant source is white, affluent males. Overall, this issue is very important and it is great to see that it recognizes various options, and thus yearning to gain the best possible situation for women.

Picture #1: 

http://www.anglia.ac.uk/ruskin/en/home/faculties/fhsce/news-events/news/midwifery_film_screening.Maincontent.0013.Image.gif 

(Freedom of Birth Movie Information)

Picture #2:

http://knoji.com/images/user/midwifery,%20new(1).jpg 

(Past depiction of midwife)

Picture #3:

  http://sp.life123.com/bm.pix/midwife.s600x600.jpg 

(Current midwife)

Picture #4: 

http://www.friendsofiowamidwives.org/uploads/3/2/3/5/3235902/2063279.jpg?299 

(Iowa women that support midwives; Specific notice to the t-shirt)

Video:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOwlqqh1WCw

(Life of a Midwife: Caroline Joy Hollins Martin)

Blog Post #4: "8" Play

Article: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lausd-play-20120917,0,4091879.story

Response:

            Gay marriage has been a very controversial topic, especially in the past few years. To depict that this issue is still relevant and significant today, El Camino Real Charter High School students wrote essays explaining their views on the issue of gay marriage. The view of these students is a crucial way to help predict the future generation and how dedicated they will be to various causes, specifically gay marriage. The students participated in a play titled, "8," which "dramatizes the 2010 trial that overturned California's ban on gay marriage...author Dustin Lance Black attended and participated in a discussion afterward." This dedication to the topic of gay marriage is important not to force people to support it but rather give facts about the issue and have people make educated opinions. 

            Some 250 students took advantage of the opportunity and submitted essays and their views ranged from full support to total opposition to supportive but not in agreement with gay marriage. In addition, some students enclosed concerns and stories about themselves, relatives or friends that are gay, which gives the gay marriage a more personal side. Gay marriage is an issue in the world today, however this freedom to express one's views is very important and gives hope that the future generations will not necessarily agree or disagree but be more understanding to the world around them. These students should be illustrated as models to the world, who depict that is okay to articulate one's views and that it is okay to disagree as long as one fully understands and recognizes the issue. 

         Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no61f_ndroM (Bradley Whitford interview)

Picture #1: http://broadwayimpact.com/wp-content/themes/broadway/data/8/8.jpg 

(Advertisement for the play "8")

Picture #2: http://zaac.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/8-the-play-poster.jpg 

(More explanation about play)

Picture #3: http://www.afer.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Black.jpg 

(Writer of play: Dustin Lance Black)

LGBT Issues

Article: http://swampscott.patch.com/articles/the-elephant-in-the-race-gay-republican-candidacy-5cca6899
Response:

            The article I chose regards various viewpoints on how Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender candidates can affect the Republican Party and the issues of LGBT. This debate is a national standpoint, specifically regarding the Democrat and Republican parties who, for this issue, are mainly represented by Richard Tisei (Republican) and Barney Frank (Democrat). Tisei, who came out in 2010, pledges to have an independent voice, which is beneficial as the Republican party holds the majority in Congress. It is crucial that he remains this way because though his party may not support him fully, he gives the options for them to either reconsider or develop their own opinions about this upcoming issue. On the other hand, the Democratic party is stating the only way this issue can have a chance is through the domination of the Democratic party in Congress. Those this could be true, I think the party should support the issues they are passionate about rather than their specific party. The different sides, with the majority of opposition (Republican Party) having a LGBT individual under their party, bring a completely new element that could spark great change for the LGBT community.

            Most individuals of the LGBT community seem to desire a change in the way they are treated, specifically through the government power. This has a great connection with the class material we discussed regarding the social inequality in the media, regarding that white, affluent men hold the main perspective. This struggle with "power" is true and is affecting the changing world, as the world seems to accept more groups as equal in society, compared to before of dominance of the "white man." As it states in the article, " visibility is the key thing" because we cannot force people to change their views but we can make them more educated and aware of other options so both sides can be confident in their viewpoint.

Barney Frank (left) and his spouse

Picture: http://cdn.timesofisrael.com/uploads/2012/07/Barney-Frank-Wedding_Horo-635x357.jpg

Richard Tisei

Picture: http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/c6/f3/1347619952_9715_Richard.jpg
Video (social network for LGBT): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSj-4gi3BzA

Blog Post #2: Women, Women, Everywhere- but Not Much About Their Paychecks

Article (Women, Women, Everywhere- but Not Much About Their Paychecks): http://publiceditor.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/05/women-women-everywhere-but-not-much-about-their-paychecks/

Information about Iron Jawed Angels: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338139/

Preview of film Iron Jawed Angels

Photo, Alice Paul:

http://www.history.com/images/media/slideshow/suffrage-and-the-women-behind-it/alice-paul.jpg

Photo and quote, Lilly Ledbetter:  https://s3.amazonaws.com/obama.3cdn.net/3c7b264ea131069a8f_7m6bnlo7.jpeg

                As the United States approaches the 2012 Presidential election, there has been an increased mentioning about women's votes, but also about issues most women view as important. This is great to include women; however, it puzzles me that they usually only discuss women's issues when one "needs women desperately to win," rather than try to solve them as they arise. Many women currently and throughout history have stood out for making changes, or breaking the norm, but why should a woman have to break it when the norm should be equality for all. An example of this would be Alice Paul in history and as portrayed in the film Iron Jawed Angels (2004, Katja von Garnier). The film depicts this brave woman who strongly advocated equality for women; and though the movie was set to depict the period around the early 1900s, some of the main messages still hold true today. One example includes equal pay for women, specifically emphasized by Lilly Ledbetter, a 74 year-old Alabama resident.

                It seems that most articles regarding women portray them as almost a separate entity of the world, and though women are different from men, one hardly sees articles about men's issue because most main issues presented emphasize male opinions. This parallels other things in society such as the Internet, history, etc. because it is mostly written by males.  In addition, it seems that if the issue is not "popular," then it is not strongly recognized. An example of a "popular" issue is abortion. This concern relates to the "Criticism Greets List of Debate Moderators" article as the female moderator, Candy Crowley, was the first woman moderator for a presidential debate in 20 years, thus a huge accomplishment, that was pushed to the side because of the additional competition and opinions about other moderators.  Her success should be recognized, both for herself and to inspire other women. Most women have the desire and yearn to be equal in society, and they should be granted every right as men to do so.