Author: sweitzer.52

Sex Education, Season 3 Text Review

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The Netflix original Sex Education, first published in 2019 and created by Laurie Nunn, has diverse characters from all sexualities, gender identities, economic classes, and cultures. Specifically, season 3 does an incredible job of introducing these concepts and showing very realistic experiences and showing us directly how it affects the character and their development. One of the characters we are introduced to is Eric, a black man who is close with his Nigerian descent and a mostly openly gay character. We watch him develop a relationship with Adam. Eric struggles even more with his identity because he visits Nigeria for a family wedding and is forced to act straight. He isn’t allowed to talk about his boyfriend or be gay there. In Nigeria, LGBT+ relationships are illegal and Eric’s mother tells him he can’t act like ‘that’ while he is there. This is a struggle of injustice in power and identity. Since other sexualities aren’t accepted through the law, it’s the government taking advantage of their power and telling people who they are. It’s unjust to tell someone they are wrong for who they love and who they are and homophobia causes a lot of internal battles with self-worth and identity issues. Many people have even committed suicide or harmed themselves because of not being accepted by family, friends, or society because they feel like there will never be a place they are accepted. 

Another example we see of economic and social power and disadvantage is with Maeve, one of the main characters. She has spent her life growing up without a mother or father figure because of her mom’s addiction and her dad was never in the picture. She sees her mom still struggling with drugs as she is raising her little sister. Because of these circumstances, Maeve has to navigate raising herself in a trailer park without any positive influences in her life and no emotional or financial support. We see an example of injustice and disadvantage to Maeve because she is extremely smart but was never given the resources or support to grow or obtain goals. Maeve was recognized by her teacher and even the headmaster for her talents. She was invited to join the ‘Gifted and Talented Program’ which would allow her to study in America and is a huge opportunity for Maeve and her future, but she can’t afford to go. Maeve is struggling to make money to pay for her rent in the trailer park since her brother left her to fend for herself, let alone travel to another country. 

In both characters, we see acts of othering because Eric and Maeve just want to fit into society as themselves and feel accepted for who they are. However, they are dealt unfair circumstances that they can’t control that affect them and how society perceives them. I think the main takeaway from this is to not judge someone for who they are, especially not knowing what they have been through and their struggles.

https://images.app.goo.gl/nUnK754P2SoZyWMd8

https://images.app.goo.gl/oCBCUD6k2MAD7ft58

 

 

Diary of Systemic Injustices Showcase

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A systemic injustice that isn’t taken seriously and doesn’t receive enough attention is the failure to accommodate people with disabilities.  Whether it be a job, school, or living day-to-day many people with disabilities not only have to deal with the stress of their disability but also not have equal opportunities. Not receiving accommodations makes life even more challenging and sometimes just impossible for disabled people to be able to achieve goals. An example of a specific systemic injustice for people with disabilities is that they are unable to get married to an able-bodied person without losing their benefits and resources. This law is extremely ableist as it assumes that because one is married to someone who can live life without these barriers, that person alone would be able to financially provide for themselves, their partner, and potential children. It also has to be considered that a disabled person will require more money for their medical bills and other things they may need that make life easier. Disabled people are already at a disadvantage and policies should protect them and make life more accessible. Nobody should have to give up getting married because they can’t afford to live life without their benefits. Both SSI and medicare are need-based therefore if a disabled person is married their partner’s income is taken into consideration for your eligibility. Disabled people are left to choose between their partner or these benefits that are needed. Many are left to get divorced and even live in different houses than their spouse. We need to continue to fight for marriage equality rights in all aspects so disabled people, who are already at a disadvantage, don’t have to make unfair decisions like this. They should be able to stay married and get benefits that keep them alive.

While researching this topic, I was able to make multiple connections to topics we have discussed in class. The one that stood out to me the most was Ahmad’s theory of othering. His theory relates to minorities not getting a chance to speak up for themselves or make a change in decisions made for them. Many disabled people have to watch their friends and family members get married and have weddings, while they are unable to because they risk losing the benefits that help them survive. It makes disabled people feel even more excluded and isolated from life. Of course, not everyone has plans to get married, but if they wanted to they should have an option too.

Sources:

Marriage Equality Is Still Not a Reality: Disabled People and the Right to Marry

  • this source is important to my argument because it is showing multiple examples of disabled people not being accommodated properly and being stuck choosing between getting married or keeping the benefits they need.

https://www.specialneedsalliance.org/the-voice/what-happens-when-persons-living-with-disabilities-marry-2/

This source is important because it shows an example in great detail. It also includes the difficulties disabled people have to face, including but not limited to, the concern of wedding gifts, loss of health insurance, and loss of SSI.

Persepolis and Religion

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In The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, she highlights many ideas of self-discovery, specifically through religion. The story begins in Iran where we meet a young Marjane who is growing up through the ever-changing times of Iran falling apart. Around her, there are protests, rights being stripped from people, segregation through gender, and tension is everywhere. She grew up with her family being her main role model, encouraging her to want to see a change in the world and stand up for what she believes in. Marjane always used to consider herself religious and it was something she held closely ti her. However, the Iran government created strong ideas as to what religion had to be and how to practice it correctly, which in turn pushed her away from religion and scared her to continue her practices.

Her struggles of finding purpose and clarity in religion are valid when looking at the ruins of the political and religious aspects of Iran. As these changes were happening, women were treated awfully, and religion was forced and shaped into only one idea. “The holy endowments were increasingly put under government control, mosque meetings and prayer sessions were infiltrated by the secret police… religious student organizations on the nation’s campuses were disbanded…” (Bill, 25). Religion was followed closely and strictly enforced. They were expected to follow all rules of religion and new laws “included requiring women to wear a veil, the banning of alcohol, and the banning of Western music.” (Colunga, 1). While these were laws, they also fell in line with religious beliefs that needed to be followed in Iran, or else you face penalties and sometimes even death. Many women did not want the hejab to become mandatory, therefore “middle-class leftist and liberal women… led protests and sit-ins.” (Moghadam, 185). These women didn’t gain much support, but they fought for change and paved the way for where woman’s rights are today.

I think the importance of this is to realize that change begins somewhere. No matter how small, anyone can make a difference. Every person deserves to express themselves and the beliefs they choose to without limitations regardless of race, gender, sexuality, etc. We should be fighting for equality every day for every one.

 

Bibliography

Bill, James A. “Power and Religion in Revolutionary Iran.” Middle East Journal, vol. 36, no. 1, Middle East Institute, 1982, pp. 22–47, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4326354.

Raul Colunga, et al. “Life in Iran before and after the Revolution: How Religion Redefined a Nation.” StMU Research Scholars, 9 Dec. 2018, https://stmuscholars.org/life-in-iran-before-and-after-the-revolution/#markerref-88008-9.

Moghadam, Valentine M. “Revolution, Religion, and Gender Politics: Iran and Afghanistan Compared.” Journal of Women’s History, vol. 10, no. 4, 1999, pp. 172–195., https://doi.org/10.1353/jowh.2010.0536.