Goforts Weblog

Affirmative action is something I think we need in America, but is something that can get out of hand also. I think that being in a very non-diverse community is not healthy for anyone, and that learning and dealing with other cultures just makes us better people. When I think of affirmative action I think of it as a useless patch for a huge social issue. I do believe that “race-conscious remedies were needed to overcome the continuing effects of racial discrimination,” but I don’t think that what is being done is what will fix the problems. I won’t lie and say I don’t see race, but I don’t think that color depicts anything. I have great friends who I give wide respect to from all races. Our cultures are different, but I think that I learn more about how to work with people different from me because of it. I do agree with Pincus’s point “I would like to define "reduced opportunity" as an instance where a white does not get something because of affirmative action that they probably would have gotten without affirmative action. The 'something' in the definition refers to things like jobs, promotions, college seats and government contracts.” Reduced opportunity is more accurate to me, and I do not feel that it is as bad as some may say. I do know of many people whose jobs were given to those of race or gender that are discriminated against, even though they were just as qualified or more qualified. I think that if you are more qualified you deserve the job, but I think that if a company has a very analogous culture then you should take those that would add diversity. I think companies should have a diverse culture because all it does is make you a better person. I also believe that if you focus on it too much it just makes race more prevalent. I know that I have not really thought of race on a daily basis until this year until I got roomed with an African American female. She talks about color every second of everyday on her phone and it drives me insane. It is those people who focus on race that make it worse or keeps the discrimination thriving. She talks about “stupid white people,” how she is “turning more white” because this school is more white than black, and then proceeded to call me racist because I called her music rap instead of hip-hop. To me though she seems to be the racist but her racism is just against whites. I really don’t know how she got accepted to Allegheny College which has such “high standards” when she asked me how to spell amazing, has never written more than a three page paper before being in college, yet she was third in her class. That really made me think when I read the quote: “grade-point-average is also seen as a major measure of academic success, except when comparing urban public school students with their counterparts in private and suburban public schools.” I was not close to being third in my class, but I do know that my high school was very competitive with many students going to Ivy League schools. Her GPA in high school probably obliterated mine, but was her classes as hard or as challenging? I doubt it and I know coming out of high school I knew how to spell amazing and I wrote a 48 page research paper. Personally I get aggravated by the system, but then without it I don’t think there would be any pressure to be diverse. Without the small amounts of diversity I have been faced with in my life I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I think more systems like “the OFCCP guidelines are intended to create increased competition by getting more people of color and women to apply for jobs, promotions, pay increases, etc” would help society. Only accepting those of color or women because they are what they are is bad, but suggesting hiring those who are qualified and fit those criteria is not. Just like Jane Elliot stated: there is one race and that is the human race. I first heard those words in middle school and ever since I think they have impacted my beliefs. No matter what your gender or color may be if you are qualified you deserve it. We should work more to become that one race, the human race, and spend last time focusing on the differences in the physical characteristics.

After reading the article The Male Privilege Checklist I had many thoughts and feelings. The emotions varied from disbelief to shock. There were some points that I could see and then there were some I never thought of, and then others that I just did not agree with. The funniest one and probably the one I agree with was number 26, “my wardrobe and grooming are relatively cheap and consume little time.” This point is not only so true in many ways, but also so wrong. I mean I know that many guys don’t care about the way they look, but then I do know a lot of guys who wear nice clothes that are very expensive. I mean you go to any major store American Eagle, Abercrombie, and so on you will find clothes just as expensive as any woman clothing. I know guys have that stigma that they don’t care, but in reality I think they do. I think guys do spend time on looking good, and do pick out their clothes to look nice. I mean definitely not to the extent of females, but I do think they deserve some credit. Personally a guy dressed up nicely is so attractive. Just like when a girl puts herself together she is usually more attractive, it is the same for males. Males are just lucky that short hair and comfortable clothes are in style for them. I mean if they had to wear tight jeans, wash long hair, blow-dry and straighten long hair, wear nice shoes that don’t keep your feet warm, and put on makeup they wouldn’t be that excited. I mean I guess when you think of it yeah they have it easier, but I don’t think it is necessarily “cheaper.” I could maybe agree with the time part, but then I would have to disagree with the price part. I think in general clothing items are too expensive, but that is a whole new issue. Nice article though I mean it was very intriguing!

PS: sorry about the late post my internet has been off the hook and then i saved under unpublished like that would help! See you ladies on Tuesday!

This past weekend I was presented with many thoughts on our society today and how we (as a society) deal with privilege, power, and discrimination. My thoughts correspond greatly with the speaker at this presentation, Jane Elliot. For me these three topics depict how we react to everyday life. For me privilege is something that must be earned, but in everyday life most of it is just given. As stated by Jane Elliot a white, tall, strong male will get more privileges right from the start than a short, average, black woman. These are just characteristics, but in the American eye they are important. I think I would rather society judge me upon what I say and do rather than how I look, but I do feel that appearance does count. I am not saying those features and characteristics such as ethnicity, height, and sex should determine your privileges. Rather I am saying that a person who can put themselves together in thought and appearance will get more respect from me. Elliot did not present this point on what we wear and how we present ourselves can also lead to our acceptance and privileges in society. Instead, Elliot stuck with the big depicters or ethnicity, physical features, and sex. Power is very important to society especially the American society. In a capitalistic country our lives revolve around power. Someone is always on top, but is it fair that those features you cannot control can lead to your demise in the race for power. Should power be given on what society feels would be the best decision, but rather to the person who deserves it. The world spends too much time judging instead of listening. We can stare at someone and without even talking to them tell someone a million things wrong with them. Yes this is human nature, but are we just going to let it at that. Shouldn’t times change and shouldn’t we start judging upon what matters. Not saying some sloppy or dirty woman should be given a CEO position because she isn’t the norm, but rather a respectable human should be given every chance. Every man, woman, black, white, yellow, tall, or skinny person that is qualified should be given the chance at the job they want. Every single one of them should have an equal chance of receiving that position. This all leads to the fact that discrimination in itself is not necessary. If we give the jobs to those who deserve them and we do not discriminate then the world would be a better place. The idea of changing the hot headed world we live in is the real issue. Our ways are set and unless everyone takes the ideas of Jane Elliot and uses them to benefit society and make a difference nothing will happen. For me Jane Elliot hit on every idea I had. She taught me nothing new, but rather just brought it to the forefront of my thoughts.

I would like to start out this blog by completely admitting to not being a feminist, but to also admit that these articles showed my opinion on the matter of women’s rights. As in the blog “Chivalry: Lesson One,” it is stated “feminism, in all of its many revivals, was/is about equality and empowerment of women.” This is my opinion on the matter truly. I don’t feel that women should get paid less for the same job and skill set; I don’t think women should have to work at home and care for the family, and I don’t think women should be expected to carry out all the same tasks and duties as males. All I want in life is respect, and I think that is what most feminists wanted. Respect in that I have talent too, and that just because I am a female I can still do math and work on chemistry labs. Upon saying that, I love chivalry. A man who opens the door for me is fine in my book. Not that I am attracted to him anymore or at all, but rather the sheer respect in opening the door for me is nice. The polite action is what makes it nice, but hey if they are good looking and seem like a nice kid you never know, that could just make them ten times better. I don’t feel any guy opens the door thinking “well she is a woman and is less than me and might not be able to open it herself so I will,” but rather most just do it out of the kindness of their hearts. The other day, while walking into a building for a meeting, I saw a guy open a door for his girlfriend, and then waited for two other guys to keep it open for them too. I know that for a fact I open the door multiple times for each gender. Maybe we are taking this whole idea a little too far and should just accept the fact that the sexes are different, but that doesn’t mean every action is to further promote those differences. Those actions are out of sheer respect. Now this all changes when it comes to a male that you are dating or interested in, but most of the time in that case it is a way of flirtation. Opening the door early in a relationship shows that you care, just like when girls primp their hair and do their makeup nicely. Two of my good friends are now starting pretty serious relationships and going out takes twenty minutes more just so they can get ready. The funny part being they got the guys interested without those twenty minutes, and now that they have them they are trying to look even better. I can’t tell you if it is society, the human brain, nature, or nurture; but what I do know is that our minds tell us that we must impress the opposite sex (if that is what we are attracted to, but since I am not of that sexuality I cannot tell you their opinion). I know that on Friday and Saturday nights I try to look my best, and yeah it may not get me anywhere, but the fact is it makes you more confident. Chivalry is a natural process of society, and guys that feel for us to be equal they need to stop being chivalrous is just not correct. You can treat me with unending respect and still open the door for me. As Laura Berman stated in the article with feminism has come a loss of chivalry – and that’s too bad, “what was once a kind gesture and sign of respect and admiration has morphed into an insult.” We can still cook a meal and care for the kids and the males can still open the door and pull up the car on a rainy day. Those actions do not affect our respect, but rather let us fall in love. I don’t think I could ever fall in love without the cheesiness of opening doors, holding hands, and just being cheese balls. Like I said before I am no feminist and if a guy opens a door for me I will walk through it throwing a “thanks” into the air as I pass by. Yeah maybe I don’t necessarily want equality as much as I want respect.

If it weren’t for those women who stuck their necks out for their dreams in science I don’t know where I would be. I mean I would love to think that my interest in science came from an innate love for the subject matter, but that is highly doubtful. When I look back on where my interest began, it was in 7th grade and my teacher Mr. Radie taught me so much and I grew a liking. When I think about it though without the entrance to that class, the great teacher I had, and the acceptance by society I do not think I would have even been interested in science. Those women opened society’s minds and opinions to accept women in science. What they did made my chemistry class 50/50, made it possible for me to take AP Chemistry in high school, made it possible for me to have an environmental science major. Yes I may have had that interest in nature and the environment, but I do not think it would have been strong or at least enough to study it. I do not believe that I would have the strength those women did to stand against the grain and decide I wanted to study science no matter what my family, friends, society, or the school said. I mean truly any woman in science owes a great deal of gratitude to those who paved the path before them.

So you want to know a little about the Stacy Ann Goforth. I was born in an upper-class town called Hudson; which is located to the south of Cleveland, in Ohio. I live with my mother and my dog Duke in a modest house. My father lives in Columbus, Ohio and I am an only child. Ever since the sixth grade I have been interested in science classes. When I was a young girl I wanted to be an astronaut. Being astronaut was my first dream profession, and in 1996 I saw a shuttle launch at Kennedy Space Center. Since then I have been a science fanatic, never once missing out on the chance to do one more experiment or study one more theory. Chemistry is probably my favorites study in science, but environmental science is my love. I feel I have the potential and the chance to make a difference in this world. Taking the idea of making a difference and the love of science I came out with environmental science. I am interested in women in science because it is what I am. I am a woman in science and I am where I am today because of the chances these women took. If it weren’t for these brave and independent women, I doubt I would have the audacity to try and have environmental science as a major.
On a more personal level I would like everyone to know that I am sarcastic, fun, and obnoxious. I have a tendency to make fun of anyone and anything to get a laugh. Now I don’t just pick on the average Joe or the quiet girl in the corner, but more or less I pick on those I know can handle it and will enjoy it. I am a bit of a control freak and love to give cool and interesting presentations. I have never once given a speech without some sort of enactment or music. I love to give speeches and stand in front of the class, but when one-on-one I don’t like to be the center of attention. I really dislike talking about myself, which is making writing this blog a bit difficult. I have the attention span of a fly, and I love to read interesting articles on energy sources. I adore discussing and debating issues, but I habitually get heated and a little into what is being said. I can generally calm myself down, but it s good for everyone to know about this feature before having debates in class. I love life and I try to live each day as if it were my last.
I hope that this is enough about me. I am truly excited about taking this course. I cannot wait to learn about the women of the past that made my dream of a science profession possible.