Tuesday, November 16, 2010

On Feminity and Feminism

I would say that I am not a Feminist. Of course, many feminist would argue that impossibility and that I was essentially born in to it. So let's keep it simple and nontechnical.

This is more of a manner regarding my traditional Grandma and Great Aunt being in town for the past 3 months. They are from Laos, old, and have been and still live life quite traditionally. As a woman, I'm expected to cook meals, wash dishes, clean the house, not go out, not laugh loudly, etc. General stuff really. When they first arrived, I didn't want to be disrespectful so I obliged to these traditional roles. I would come home fix them lunch, wash all the dishes and sit around with them. It was fine and awesome, I got to hang out with them. Now, I'm absolutely frustrated being trapped in this idealistic female role that I have never identified with. I feel like I'll do things because I want to, not because I should and because I'm a woman. Most recently my mother has grounded me to the house because it reflect poorly on my character. Leaving at night is not something a lady should do and it worried my grandma. Of course, my brothers do not have any of these limitations. Have no obligations or duties to fulfill or have any curfew to pertain too. I'm obviously already a too fat spinster out of control American so there is no hope for me. I don't know. I've just been extremely frustrated and tired trying to be respectful, but keeping to who I am.