PAPER WRITING ABOUT TWO ARTICLES.
JessicaLi
EADIIPaperPromp4.docxPAPER #4
Readings: *Roxanne Gay, Bad Feminist (Emerging)
*Julia Serano, Why Nice Guys Finish Last (Emerging)
In her article, Roxanne Gay writes, “The most significant problem with essential feminism (feminism which suggests there is a “right” way and a “wrong” way to be feminist) is how it doesn’t allow for the complexities of human experience or individuality.” She seems to be discussing the potential problems with not just suggesting there are “right” and “wrong” ways to be feminist, but with the practice of categorizing people inside social justice movements.
In her article, Julia Serano talks of the “predator/prey mindset.” She writes, “Just as we must learn to debunk the many racist, sexist, classist, homophobic, and ageist cultural stereotypes we’ve absorbed over the course of a lifetime, we must also learn to move beyond predator/prey stereotypes.” Both authors, then, seem to be discussing the potential problems with binary categorization – that is, categorization which uses only two possibilities: right/wrong, predator/prey, asshole/nice guy, virgin/whore, etc.
Reread both articles, formulate an independent answer, use quotes and analysis to prove your independent idea(s), and answer the following question: What are the potential value(s) (positive and negative) of binary categorization of humans?
You may want to consider the following questions/prompts while preparing for and writing Paper 4. You do not need to answer all of them! They are simply designed to help you generate ideas.
· Think of Serano’s definition of internalized/externalized misogyny – how might it help or harm binary categorization?
· How often are things in our world 100% in category A, or 100% in category B? If not very often, think of the potential outcomes and consequences of defining 7.2 billion people in binary boxes.
Required formatting: stapled, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12-pt. font (Times New Roman), MLA format (Your headers, page numbers, and quotations should be formatted properly. See The Pocket Wadsworth Handbook.)
