Suggested Reading

Later in the semester, we'll be spending a couple class periods discussing reading that touches on feminism and privilege. I've had a couple students in the past ask why we spend so much time discussing "isms"--the discussions sometimes get heated and/or uncomfortable, and we often like to think of ourselves as enlightened, not needing to discuss things like this. After all, it's the 21st century, right? And we've already passed so many equality acts to prevent discrimination, right?

This article by blogger Sarah Moon helps to illustrate why these discussions still carry weight--legally, we may all [or most--there are still groups seeking true legal equality yet] be equal, but there are definite sociological and economic obstacles that hamper some groups in our society more than others that are not so easily legislated.

From "On Privilege and Taking the Stairs:"

Imagine you’re an able-bodied person. You are in great shape and everyday you take the stairs to your second story apartment. It’s good exercise, after all. You don’t even think twice about taking the elevator.

Then, one day you invite a friend over to your apartment after work. As you and your friend cross the apartment complex’s lobby, you go straight to the stairs like you always do.

But what if your friend is not as able-bodied as you are? What if she has a disability that prevents her from climbing the stairs? What you do without thinking twice puts your friend in an awkward position.

Read the rest here: http://sarahoverthemoon.com/2013/02/13/on-privilege-and-taking-the-stairs/

30 Indispensable Writing Tips

...posted on Buzzfeed from well-loved authors from over the years:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/writing-advice-from-famous-authors

"I Hate to Break It to You, But..."

A good, useful read.

Well, as it turns out, many people are a little confused about what the word Feminist actually means. Last year I sat in a Sex & Gender class when the professor asked a mostly female audience to raise their hand if they believed they were a feminist. Of course, my hand shot straight up… but it was alone.

Then the professor asked, “Okay, who here thinks women should be given equal pay for equal work.” Every hand went up.

Then he asked, “Okay, who here thinks that women should be allowed to own property.” Of course, every hand went up again.

Then he asked someone in the class to define feminism, and one person sheepishly responded, “Umm… man hater?”

Umm, No.

Now picture me, frantically waving my hand like an excited kindergartner. The professor calls on me and I say, “Professor, feminism is the radical notion that women are human beings.” (*Cheris Kramerae)

“So class,” he says, “do we believe that women are human beings? Yes… I thought so. Well then, why didn’t you raise your hand when I asked if you were a feminist?”

People looked around, not quite knowing how to answer that one.

Read the rest at: http://thefeministbreeder.com/i-hate-to-break-it-to-you-but-youre-probably-a-feminist/

Next Time, Fail Better

For those of you expecting to tap out perfect papers the first time out, here's another good article for your reference and reassurance:

http://chronicle.com/article/Next-Time-Fail-Better/131790/

Your Logical Fallacy Is...

As you work on revising your essays for content and rhetorical fallacies, take a gander at this delightfully interactive website I found just now that outlines all of the major rhetorical fallacies (including a few that our book does not include):

http://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/

You can bet that if I ever have an office or classroom of my own, the site's poster will be up on my wall. Enjoy!

The Importance of Clear Use of Pronouns

http://www.gocomics.com/luann/1988/12/11

Click on the URL to see the comic.

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2012/04/02