Joel VanLaven wrote:
>
> About the role-model thing. Do people really identify with their sex so
> much? I tend to find my role models where the author intended regardless
> of sex. Of course I am not starved for role-models of my sex. Perhaps
> what we really need is sufficient role-models of both sexes for everyone.
> That is one reason I like to read feminist/queer fiction, so that I can
> feel like/identify with/"become" as many different types of people
> as possible.
lg: I may find role models among both men and women. But remember,
we're
talking 25-30 years ago. As a 13, 14, 16 year old I was constantly
reminded
and even forced back into the socially acceptable box for my sex.
Harrassed while travelling alone as a girl, I decided to "disguise"
myself
as a boy to have more freedom. I hitch-hiked (hey, it was a long time
ago)
from one city to the next and upon arrival my friends/family teased and
ridiculed me -- not, interestingly, for wanting to look like a boy --
but
for thinking that I could. We didn't use this language then, but
basically
they were saying I was too femme to pass... to give up the thought of
that
freedom. Chani, Jessica, Alia, were femme, but were able to "pass"
sometimes
in a man's world. Identifying with a different gender or sex is one
thing in
fantasy and fiction, but to survive the "real" world I NEEDED role
models
who were more like me/more accessible. And yes, I guess I was then
starved
for role models of my sex.
>
> On the topic of Dune, who would you rather have been, Paul or his mother?
>
lg: I think I thought back then that power corrupted Paul... for awhile
I
remember wanting to be Chani (close to the power and favored) and even
Alia.
I coveted Paul's educational opportunities. As a grown woman/mother
now, I
would go for Jessica.
luz
"dear sisters, we know what our job is, let us sow together the
subversive seed of unity." lea guido
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu May 25 2000 - 19:06:48 PDT