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Ivy's Autobiography of Race, Gender, and Sexuality

Ivy Kargman-24

Created on December 8, 2023

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Transcript

Ivy's Autobiography of Race, Gender, and Sexuality

Start

Introduction

Next

+ info

Race & Religion

Next

Gender

Next

+ info

Sexuality

Next

Mini Quizzes!

Next

CONCLUSION

Sources: 1. Newman, David M. Exploring the Intersections of Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality. 3rd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2012. 2. Slideshow Presentations

Socialization & Feminism

Starting from a young age, I was socialized to believe that women are indisputably equal to men. Whether attending the Women’s March in the freezing winter or hearing my dad talk about how brilliant he thought my mom was, it was engrained into my brain that I could be virtually anything I wanted to be. When I think of a powerful, intelligent, and badass woman, I think of my mom—she always inspired me and made me feel like all women were invincible. It took going to my friend's houses and being exposed to the world to realize my home was the exception. Though I am forever grateful for how my parents raised me and the amount of support I got from an all-girls education, I am glad I could pop the feminist bubble I was living in to come to Taft and get a glimpse of many people's reality.

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Enjoy this photo that perfectly encapsulates my identity!

Cultural Capital: Education

New York City

Growing up in New York City, I was and continue to be constantly immersed in a myriad of cultures. Due to the diversity seen through my peers at Chapin, family friends, or simply meeting strangers in the park, I didn’t realize that not everyone got to live in such an eclectic city as New York. To be completely honest, I wasn’t truly aware of my ascribed status either. I didn’t think about the fact that I had privilege, that I was Jewish, that I was a girl, etc. Though I was aware of all of these things, I didn’t consciously understand how these identifiers made up my identity and how they created a unique experience that would impact my life so heavily. However, thanks to the PORGS elective, I’ve never been more aware of the ways in which my identity has affected virtually every facet of my life. I hope you enjoy a little tour of these newfound realizations!

What Sexuality Means To Me

Recognize that building behind my parents? That’s because it’s the Stonewall Inn! My family has marched in the gay pride parade for as long as I can remember, so I’ve always been aware of the concept of sexuality. For years, I watched as thousands of people marched to fight for unequivocal equality, and I always knew that I could be anyone I wanted to be and love whoever I wanted to love. When I came to Taft however, I finally understood what “the power of normal” meant. The default is straight, and because of that, everything else is deemed “wrong.” To be considered normal is synonymous with being heterosexual, and thus if you do fit that sexual orientation, your life is significantly easier. Not only that, but you have more literal power—people are more likely to trust you if they can identify with your identity. I am eternally grateful that I grew up in a family that prioritizes pride and encourages experimentation! Read more in the next pop-up.

My Race

My race is something that I rarely think about. And for that reason, I have privilege. Because I am White, which is considered the “standard” in society, I have never felt like I was targeted due to my race. I never had to have “the talk” or feel like I didn’t belong in certain settings, and I definitely never feared that I could be persecuted due to my race. Because people of other races constantly surrounded me since birth, I didn’t understand that other groups had to go through those things. As I got older, however, my parents opened up to me about the struggle of minority groups, and I was exposed to the injustices and discrimination that are all over the world. My school never tried to ignore these essential conversations. Instead, it encouraged robust discussion so that we wouldn’t be ignorant of our society's realities, and I am forever grateful for that.

Female Entrepreneur Fellowship

When I started the Female Entrepreneur Fellowship at Taft, I wanted my peers to feel uplifted, whether through the female speakers who powerfully share their stories, the student-run conversations that spark healthy debate, or our newsletters that discuss everything from the importance of financial literacy for women to feminist ideology and ethics. Filling the chairs around our conference table are extraordinary young students of different races, religions, and nationalities, allowing us to delve into the intersectionality of our identities while grappling with complex ideas. These unique viewpoints have shaped me into the leader and person I am today, and I am so incredibly grateful for having the opportunity to dive deep into what being a woman in this day and age truly signifies. Click the green link to learn more about FEF!

My Jewish Identity

I included my Judaism in this presentation because it is an essential identifier for me, primarily due to its intersectionality with other parts of my identity. As a Jewish girl, I was always instilled with the values of Judaism, like Tikkun Olam, kindness, generosity, and compassion. My grandmother, however, was raised in the orthodox community, where she was taught Jewish conservative ethos, like serving her husband and taking care of her children. Though I am eternally grateful that my congregation prides itself on uplifting the women in our community, I do realize how my religious identity is heavily tied to gender stereotypes. For my Bat Mitzvah party, for example, I felt like I had to wear a sparkly dress like all my friends did and wear high heels to seem like a “woman.” These are examples of how “I did gender,” and though my religion didn’t command me to do these things, the cultural aspect of it did. As I’ve gotten older, however, I see my religion differently; It is a tradition that has lasted generations and a community I constantly turn to for security.

Pride & Intersectionality

This picture is one that I took sitting on my father’s shoulders at a women’s rights and pride march. My father was one of few men and definitely one of only a few straight men that I saw marching that day. I think it is fascinating how heterosexual women are more likely to support pride versus heterosexual men, and I do believe this ties back to the intersectionality of our identities. Because women know what it is like to be discriminated against since they don't fit the “standard” (white, middle-class, heterosexual, male), they have more compassion for others who are also subjugated. I’ve observed that it is my mom who has taught my dad the importance of embracing one’s identity, and it is my mom who reinforces those same ideas to my brother. In terms of my own sexuality, I am comfortable with the fact that I can simply be whoever I want to be and do whatever I want to do, knowing that no matter what, my family will support and love me.

This is a clip from my Bat Mitzvah Sermon! My speech was about how, in Jewish texts, the younger generations are always told that they will make an impact in the future, even though young people can make a difference now. This speech is highly relevant to PORGS, as it speaks to how my religion has socialized me and taught me to think and thus sheds light on the type of student I am in class. It is incredibly fascinating to look back on this speech through the sociological lens I have gained this semester and realize the true meaning and depth of my words.

My Chapin Education

The Chapin School was where I received the first nine years of my education. I was one of sixty girls in my class, and every classmate felt like a close friend by the time I left. Constantly taught about female empowerment and feminism, I always felt like I could do anything I wanted; it was just a question of hard work and persistence. Looking back now, I see the immense privilege I had by attending this school. Education is a part of my cultural capital, as it directly correlates to the opprotunities I will be given in this world. In terms of Chapin, I hit the jackpot. Academically speaking, I was prepared for Taft when I arrived (another educational part of my cultural capital), but I was also socially prepared. I was never afraid to speak my mind in class or call someone out, but I soon realized I was only one of the few girls who felt comfortable doing so. Though Chapin could be considered a “healthier” environment for women, I am so thankful to have come to Taft and been exposed to new viewpoints and realities of the world.

For more context as to the way I grew up,when I heard the phrase "ladies and gentlemen," the first thought that came to mind was the name of my rock band that I was in during middle school :) and yes, I am aware of how horrible we sound

Got an idea?

Let the communication flow!

With Genially templates, you can include visual resources to wow your audience. You can also highlight a particular sentence or piece of information so that it sticks in your audience’s minds, or even embed external content to surprise them: Whatever you like! Do you need more reasons to create dynamic content? No problem! 90% of the information we assimilate is received through sight and, what’s more, we retain 42% more information when the content moves.

  • Generate experiences with your content.
  • It’s got the Wow effect. Very Wow.
  • Make sure your audience remembers the message.