Introduction
Issues of discrimination, primarily based on gender, characterize many institutions in any society. Humanity has taken steps into addressing these issues. However, it would be prudent to conclude that society still has a long way to got to ensure that it is at a level where gender discrimination and bias are a thing of the past. Often recognized as the weaker gender, women are often at risk of discrimination or violence due to their gender and sexuality. Men also experience violence or discrimination as dictated by their gender, but their cases are often not as widespread as those of women. The presence of such issues in society makes it abstemious to analyze various concepts of gender and sexuality as learned in class by identifying how multiple authors and individuals have dealt with these concepts. They include sexism, sexual assault, and feminism.
Sexism
Sexism exists in many societies around the world. Today’s societies support many behaviors of sexual discrimination through the advocacy of such conduct from members of such communities. Sexism in the world today prejudices women as they are viewed to be the weaker sex and, therefore, can be taken advantage of by men. It is why many top organizations across the world have more than ninety percent of their management positions given to men. Such organizations often believe that women, who need to take leave to get children and take care of their families, will not be as efficient in leadership positions as men who do not need to engage in such family-related responsibilities.
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In Sara Ahmed’s video “On Complaint,” she explains how her interviews with various individuals demonstrate how different women in universities and workplaces encounter sexism. Still, their complaints are often dismissed or brushed off as usual. She gives examples of individuals who have encountered sexism in their workplaces, but their complaints have not been addressed as expected. She talks of students who have lodged complaints of sexism in their universities through her websites. She explains that most of her victims are from the UK and that these students speak out, but they are never heard (Ahmed, 2018).
In the work by Leaving evidence, the authors demonstrate how transformative justice looks to address issues of sexism in different parts of society. The work identifies that such problems are often experienced by various groups in society, including women from impoverished backgrounds, the disabled, women of color, and those from the queer and transgender communities ( Leaving Evidence, 2019) . It is essential to recognize that transformative justice’s efforts are an indication that many groups in society are affected by sexism. Many of the affected may not have a platform to express what they are experiencing, which gives their perpetrators the leeway to continue with their unacceptable ways. According to the authors, transformative justice requires society to recognize that sexism is occurring in the current society and that a solution will only be possible of all of society holds hands to see the end of the vice.
In the work “Stole from our Bodies,” the author recognizes that sexism is entangled with colonialism. Many in society have been victims of the vice for the longest time. To a large extent, these experiences leave victims with scars they have to live with for life. The author explains that having a different sexual identity from what society expects places one at increased risk of facing sexism in whatever environment he or she is part of ( Driskill, 2004) .
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault also represents part of Ahmed’s discussion, and just like sexism, she discusses how students and employees across the UK have frequently reported cases of sexual assault. The affected are mainly women, and their complaints against such acts are never taken seriously or investigated. She believes that many of these institutions have no mechanisms in place to address issues of sexual assault and that these behaviors advance in a circular other than linear manner leaving students stuck without a way out (Ahmed, 2018). There are no set procedures for complaints about those affected in many institutions, and even when these institutions were inspected, and such a strategy identified, it was not entirely understandable and easy to implement. She explains that one student expressed that if she complained in the case of sexual assault, she was warned that she might not have had the opportunity to work at the university or other working environments. Such moves keep victims away from lodging complains, thus making these behaviors continue.
“ Stolen from our Bodies” further delves into issues of sexual assault. Just like sexism, sexual assault has existed in society since time immemorial, and the author recognizes how some societies addressed such problems. One clear example from the text is of the Lakota community. The author explains that sexual assault was not allowed by the Lakota custom. Women were given the freedom to end the vice by being given knives they would use to cut off the heads of those men who would abuse them or their families ( Driskill, 2004) . It was a strategy that ensured sexual assault was not a characteristic of the Lakota community. These further helped protect women from the violence that may have otherwise developed if such measures were not put in place.
“ Leaving Evidence” also recognizes sexual assault as an everyday occurrence in many communities. Expressly, the text acknowledges that immigrant women who are in domestically violent relationships, sexual workers who fall victim to sexual assault or sexual abuse, and children who have gone through sexual assault have often sought help from the state. Nonetheless, the criminal justice system often fails them ( Leaving Evidence, 2019) . Therefore they will look for other ways they can deal with such adversities to ensure that they can reduce harm; they manage to stay alive. They can develop safe spaces and eventually heal even if it is outside the “protective” shield of the state.
Feminism
Ahmed (2018) further talks about feminism and how the work she does represents her feminist efforts. She explains that her complainants and other individuals who look to highlight experiences of those affected by exclusion, racism, sexism, or sexual assault in universities or their working environments. Her idea and opinion are that as she helps highlight all the atrocities such individuals continually experience in different settings across society (Ahmed, 2018). She demonstrates her feministic efforts and commends other individuals who may not be majorly women on their feminism.
Chea Jolie explores how different groups and individuals in society handle issues of sexual violence. One aspect that stands out is the exploration of how those who develop documentaries may be taking advantage of the pain of victims to get that juicy story. The author asks how far such individuals and the rest of society are willing to go to procure the needed footage for documentaries, what are the expenses after victims get such exposure, is it for the benefit of those affected or do such documentaries focus on the personal gain? (Chea, n.d.) The author uses the platform to express the opinion on how various victims of sexual assault; mainly, women are often handled by those looking for a captivating story. She uses her platform to question how healthy this is to women and why such victims must be accorded the protection they deserve.
Further discussion on concept 1, 2 and 3
It is essential to note the connection of all these works through their focus on matters that affect the vulnerable in society. Many of the issues discussed, including sexual assault, sexism, and a focus on feminism, are depicted on women, children, and other weak groups in any society. It is recognizable that efforts are being directed towards addressing such vices. Still, these efforts are often not enough as issues of sexual assault and sexism continue to take root across the world. Feminism is taking its stand against these vices, but it is not enough that only feminists are concerned, the change will only be possible if all of society is involved.
Conclusion
The concepts of sexism, sexual assault, and feminism stood out in all the readings and videos as they represent what society continues to grapple with for the longest time. I identified how these concepts have evolved and how, even after many years of dealing with them, institutions still do not have mechanisms that can help protect those affected. It is prudent to note that many of these instances are often brushed off or replaced by what may seem important to others, such as career security and not justice, as the victims may desire. I have learned that the criminal justice system does not offer much solace to the affected. It has reached a level where the affected have to identify strategies for protection and healing as the avenues for provision of these aspects are not playing their roles. I have noted with concern that as much as all other aspects of society such as economic advancement, innovation, technology, and many more are moving in the right direction, victims of sexual assault and sexism are not heard. Society must support feminists in identifying a long-lasting solution to sexism and sexual assault.
References
Ahmed, S. (2018). Sara Ahmed: On Complaint. Retrieved 2 November 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j_BwPJoPTE
Chea, J. Epiphytic Lives: Cambodian American Nonmemory and the Value of Silence, 20.
Driskill, Q. L. (2004). Stolen from our bodies: First Nations two-spirits/queers and the journey to a sovereign erotic. Studies in American Indian Literatures , 16 (2), 50-64.
Leaving Evidence. (2019). Leaving Evidence. Retrieved 2 November 2019, from https://leavingevidence.wordpress.com/
