#faf35

When I listened to Lauren Rankin’s talk, I was not disturbed or shocked by the word “abortion.” I recognize that there situations that are unfit or unfair to raise a child, so I understand that it is necessary to have the option to abort. However, I understand now that it was very necessary to call abortion what it is. It is important to be knowledgeable about the subject. It’s important to introduce the word into our every day language because it is only vilified further otherwise. It should not be a taboo subject, especially because many women face having to make this decision every day. Ignorance kills, and it is very unfortunate that we as a society collectively allow it to happen.

I attended the viewing for The Hunting Ground a couple of months ago, before I even realized it counted for class. Although I wished to have walked away in shock, I wasn’t. It may be because I am currently a senior and these situations have happened to people in my life, regardless of gender. During my freshmen year, I did not carry a pepper spray with me whenever I left my dorm, although I was wary and knew the statistics of sexual assault in college campuses. They were only numbers to me until those numbers had faces and names and stories, and that was when I realized that it was a very real threat. I am glad that The Hunting Ground was made because it gave a voice to those who had suffered and still suffer today. 

Today I was given the opportunity to listen to Pam Fessler, a Douglass Alumna, NPR Correspondent, and expert on poverty and inequality. It was highly refreshing hearing someone that works for the media speak in such a genuine matter, and in a way that truly exposed how much she cares for the topics she writes about the people she meets. She spoke about her job in the most simplest way possible, free of political nuances, and that was that she wanted to give a voice to people that otherwise would not have a voice. I personally identified with her personal conflict with being a shy person and needing to be aggressive, and honing in what she originally thought of what was a disadvantage. I was impressed that her shyness and kindness and honesty is what got her in her position, in a world that merits dishonesty and aggression to get to the top. I appreciated the opportunity to be present for Pam’s speech today, and look forward to hearing her stories on my own time through NPR.

This morning I had a chance to listen to Wendy Cai-Lee speak. I did not know anything about her background before I walked into the lecture hall today, but I felt connected to her the second she began speaking. She and I share similar experiences as growing up as children of Asian immigrants, and even further, daughters of Asian immigrants. Her father, who she spoke about a lot, reminded me of all the interactions that I have had with my mother growing up. She discussed her relationship with her personal identity, the juxtaposition of her American expectations and her familial expectations, and her privileges, and lack thereof. She preached about working hard and using as many resources as possible in order to “have a seat at the table.” I thoroughly enjoyed and identified with Wendy’s speech today and am thankful for the opportunity to have been present for it.