The Observation Deck: Become the Other
Become
Interestingly enough, the first card I pulled from The Observation Deck was “Become the Other.” For creative writers, this card is all about becoming your characters. Talk like them, walk like them, dress like them, eat like them. See how people react to you and write from there. I think that’s why most people tend to write semi-autobiographically, or at least tend to base fictional characters on people they know – it’s easy to write their dialogue and actions because you’re familiar with them, and easy to write other characters’ reactions because you’ve seen them or they are your own reactions to that person.
From a feminist perspective, however, becoming the other is something we do almost every day, or at least I do. Feminism, for me, is about questioning and fighting against the patriarchy or, more specifically, the kyriarchy, in whatever form that may take – from standing up for my LGBTQ students when they are bullied to educating my students about ableist language, from fighting for marriage equality to upholding the right to choose, from discussing racial injustices to defending feminist housewives.
I, however, am privileged. I am a white, cis, thin, heterosexual, upper-middle class female. To fight against the kyriarchy as a privileged person can, at times, require putting yourself into someone else’s shoes to understand their arguments, feelings, concerns. As a teacher, I am constantly asking my students to do this – to feel what the other person feels in order to curb bullying and harassment I may encounter in my classroom and in the hallways.
Recently, my focus on the marginalization of women has taken a more personal turn. Instead of commenting on stories that involve women more globally, I’ve been focusing quite a bit on myself and my personal struggle to find my feminism within my new marriage and family. I hope to continue to focus on other issues in the future, but for now, “the other” is, in fact, me. I feel at times like I’m a totally different person than I was just a few short months ago, and exploring that while keeping a hold on my feminist ideals is a major focus in my life at the moment. So, instead of trying on my characters’ clothes, I’ll be trying out new hats for myself and studying my reactions and those of others, trying to see what fits and what doesn’t.
What does “cis” mean? I have seen it around but can’t seem to find a definition for it. Thanks!
Good question, Jane! Thanks for asking!
Cis means that you identify with the gender you were born with. I am a cis woman because I was born a woman and identify as a woman. Someone who was born a woman but identifies as a man, for example, would not be cis. That is a really cursory definition, but hopefully it helps. A quick google search would turn up much more info for you.