"...that's what becoming a real 'mujer' is all about. Real mujeres live life intensely--and their bodies show it. They feast on food, drink with revelry and play hard" (Body Outlaws 45).

I loved this quote from Marisa Navarro's "Becoming La Mujer." I think that it really resonnated with me because it seemed to drive "pink think" right into the ground, into a not-early-enough grave. Instead of creating a definition of woman which objectifies women or characterizes them by passivity, Navarro defines women by how they embrace life. I really dig that. I think that it rehumanizes the notion of woman--allowing individuality and real world experiences to peak through layers of oppression which has sought to rob women of their individuality. Women don't have to be china dolls; they can be strong, vibrant, and possess bodies which are marked by their experiences. Rock on.

"Beauty and the Beast"really brings back some memories of my own perhaps 5-minute struggle with too-small jeans before saying fuggidabout it. How well I remember going to the Friday-night discos and wondering if I were the ONLY person there who didn't want to be wearing pants so tight that it would take the rest of the weekend for the skin abrasions to disappear! The truth is, some of us don't have bodies that conform to the "ideal" shape, meaning I might could (how Appalchian) get the jeans up over my hips but then they'd meet interference with my belly (many of my peers got detoured at the hip). I seriously wonder how many later-year internal problems may have begun from organs being constricted too tightly in an anatomical airbag, all for the sake of looking "in" and "with it" in those days of John Travolta . . . and, in re "The Story of My Body," all I can say is: Misfits Unite!

Posting again on this track because I have lost all track of weeks. This class has been a greta way to hear others' views and share some common and uncommon feelings regarding a host of issues that center on women, their bodies, sexuality and social conflicts. While I am firm in reastating that I really have not changed my own opinion about myself or my body, I do feel vindicated in not having been the only young girl who, upon taking her first look around, cried "Foul!" for having been assigned a lesser status in the eyes of this patriarchal society. Please bear in mind that I came right out of the last days of "Pink Think" and therefore my staunch observations and bitter memories may seem exaggerated to many, but I assure you the feelings are still there and will probably never go away completely--although I am much more that peace now than when I was younger. It has been a pleasure listening and sharing with all of you; good luck in your future educational and life endeavors.

I'll tell ya what: this has been. by far, my favorite class i have taken in my college career. not only has it opened up my mind and solidified some of the issues that i have been mulling over in my head, but i feel that i made 20 new friends. i have enjoyed the reading assigments thoroughly, especially VM, Cunt, and Adios Barbie. and i have greatly enjoyed our discussions. Not that this class has formed my future, but it has taken on some of the issues that i have wondred about for a long time. and because i have enjoyed it so much, i have decided that i am going to cross major in Grad school at UC women's studies and English. this class has been an inspiration and an enlightening experience.

Edited by author 04-27-2004 09:08 PM
Oh, man! Completely forgot about posting on this forum after our break from the short stories and books a couple weeks ago. Just wanted to quickly comment on "Food for Our Souls" in Body Outlaws from last week. I cannot begin to tell you how happy I was to read a story talking about how much a woman loves to eat and not about how much a woman loves herself more after throwing it up. I also enjoyed her light-heartedness when speaking of her size; she made up for her short five-foot stature by filling out in other directions.
       I also cannot partially convey how much I learned about the female body whether I had to cringe my face while doing it, or not. What I have taken from this course is a respect and an appreciation for women. Like I said in class, four years at an all male high school/ "fraternity" did not do me much justice by attending a liberal, co-ed university. But after completing this course I have been put totally in check. I'm sure you will all receive "thank you" notes from my mom.

I guess I am a little dissappointed in myself with my work in this course. I have learned alot from every single one of you in this class and I wished I would have participated more to let you know more about myself. Everyone in here is so extremely bright and intellegent. I wish everyone much success.

Well, all good things must come to an end. I have thoroughly enjoyed this class. I think this has been one of my greatest classes yet. The other day, Amber made a great statement that are my sentiments as well. That there were times when she was angry or she did not agree with everything said. I too was angry at times, but I agree with Jackie when she said the environment created was one that no matter if you were angry, agreed, disagreed, you were able to state it in this class and no one judged you or turned there noses up. This course has opened my eyes even more and have given me a greater appreciation of all women. I will be using the information that I have learned to educate, not only my daughter, but other young ladies at my church. My church is located in the West End and I am hoping that our ministry can also be helpful in the surrounding community. I enjoyed meeting all of you that was in the class. Dr. Fisanick, I must say that I have enjoyed you as a professor. You always had excitement about the class sessions and the idea of allowing us to participate on the philanthropy project was great for me. There is so much more that I could say, but I don't want to bore you. Everyone have a great summer and congratulations to those who may be graduating. Be blessed!

This class has really flown by but was well worth it!...This is the first class that I have really been able to complete all the reading for and apply it to future concerns. But I guess the one thing I took the most out of the class this semester was that I learned to place my confidence more on things that are not so temporary but those that provide long term satisfaction. I also learned that meeting and defining your own sense of the ideal woman is your choice and that the personal goals you set for yourself as a woman are what define you as a woman. I had a great time in this class and I agree with what Jackie said in class today, we all provided a safe enough enironment for each other to the point that secretly I feel we all became a little bit braver.

The theme seems to be that everyone has enjoyed themselves in this class... and I am going to have to jump on that. I loved this class. I rewrote my autobiography the other day and when I went back to compare the two it was amazing to see the changes I have gone through in only a few months. I have such a greater appreciation for a healthy body image and how important it is. This class has been insightful as well as imspiring, and there aren't a lot of classes like that here at Xavier, at least not for a Political Science major. I just want to also thank everyone for being so open and honest, the class would not have been the same without all of that. I know I was more open with you all than I am with a lot of my close friends, I don't know why but thats how it happened. I think the atmosphere was just conducive to that, and that is because of our wonderful class. So thanks! And hopefully I will see you all in the near future!

I have to say that this has been a great class and i'm sad that it's ending. This has probably been the only class that i've really shared my opinions and not let my shyness get the better of me. I've really enjoyed the class and wish that the class was something that i could get my mom to go through. I've been trying to explain to her about what i've learned throughout the semester but she doesn't seem to really understand what i'm saying. But i've guess that's also giving me a deeper understanding about how hard it is to change the emphasis of a certain body image within society. Hopefully one day i'll be able to make her understand but till then i know that i don't have to let others decide how i feel about my body. I hope that everyone has a great summer and I will really miss you all.

Kathy, you and I are on the same page, Chica. I also posted to this week of the discussion board last week by mistake...Dr. Fisanick, I hope that you don't have too much trouble sifting through these...I just wanted to say, first of all, what a pleasure it has been to come to know you all through this class. I think that this has been such a special, supportive group because although we don't always agree on our stances regarding issues that we have discussed in class, we still have formed a community of respect and equality. I also really have to say how, on a personal note, how much this class has changed me and my perception of the body. When I first started thinking about my revision of the autobiography of the body paper, I wondered how I could possibly revise it. But when I read through it, I realized just how revolutionary this class has been for my thought process and understanding/acceptance of the body. Thank you for a wonderful, enlightening semester. Best of luck!!

sorry this posting is so late everyone... i completely forgot until i looked at my notebook earlier today. i guess overall i concur with most that this was a great semester. i really enjoyed the class through which i not only learned new things about myself but also got to hear other women's views on some very sensitive issues. so thank you everyone for a great semester.

Edited by author 05-06-2004 05:02 PM
Oh My GOODNESS! This had to be the hardest exam week of my life and I so forgot ot post. What I wanted to say to everyone was that i really enjoyed having class with you all (although no one will probably be seeing this). Before i was in this class, i had been toying with the idea of starting my own non-profit organization for girls. I actually ahd the name for it in my mind and everything. anyway, this class has really given me the confidence to start it. I also plan on trying my had at working with non-profits this summer, which may give me some useful experience. I really loved the class. It Gave me a reason to come to school on MWF. Be Blessed everyone. Oh, DR.FIsanick, I put the paper and your book in your mail box. Thanks so much!!