For December 9th

Rocco's

Very interesting articles.

I found this oddly clarifying. It's oversimplified, but it says a lot:

"In 1992, he and his colleagues created the Male Role Norms Inventory, which measures adherence to seven norms of the Western masculinity ideology: Avoidance of Femininity, Fear and Hatred of Homosexuals, Self-Reliance, Aggression, Achievement/Status, Non-Relational Attitudes Toward Sex, and Restrictive Emotionality. Research influenced by Levant's inventory has since revealed that men who embrace more traditional Western masculine ideology are reluctant to discuss condom use with their partners, have less satisfactory relationships, and harbor attitudes that often lead to the sexual harassment of women."

My favorite quote is from the Atlantic article:

"I think that we can motivate people to act," he said over Skype from his home in Minnesota, "but it so often comes from a place of charity, you know? We're trying to motivate men to change masculinity for women, but then it's this paternalistic sort of charity versus trying to get men to change masculinity because of their personal investment in it and their relationships."

I think this is a really important quote because it says that for this to be successful both the external and internal need to be addressed.

For December 8th

Letters (Tess')

Letters can be soooo therapeutic and productive. I use letter writing to get thoughts off of my chest. I don't them. I've also thought about writing a collection of poems that are to people. Many poems are directed to someone who isn't the reader, now that I think of it. I have also used letters to convey my feelings to someone--like I actually deliver them. It's been very helpful because for me, on the page I can take my time. 

I think there is a romantic aspect to letters. To sum up everything in a couple paragraphs or pages is, in a way, a grand gesture. I hope letters are always used because e-mails, in a way, invite a too-rapid response. The response, many times, does not have to be rapid because the letter-writing has given the release. 

The card, also, is a shorter form of the letter. The card is not as grand, however, is noted for its understated nature.

Cathartic (Aimee's)

There's no doubt writing can help heal, especially when people's voices are silenced, like veterans. I really liked how the vets said they write so the guy next to them understands. This takes the form of writing not just as a solo cathartic thing, but also as a venue for others to feel as well. I really admire that intention. 

In the second article, I liked how the author laid out options for what to do with a very emotional piece, and my favorite is the one that says to wait. So what if in today's world communication is fast-- some things deserve time. I've found that I write about the same thing (we briefly talked about this with the alumna who skyped with us) several times-- and in different forms-- until I get it right. And when I do feel like I hit the nail, I feel very relieved. It's, funny, too, because I try to date everything, and sometimes I'll find a scrap of paper that talks about this "thing," but it was years before I finished the "final" piece. Even though that scrap of paper has a one-dimensional or fuzzy take on the "thing," it's still a look in time of my mind at that time. It's still a part of the story.

For December 3rd

Karen's article on choice was super interesting. It was sort of random, with just a look at three cultures, however, it was insightful. I think our American need to decide definitely has its effects. I'm already tired of deciding everything! However, by having such an emphasis on choice, we are giving voice to more. Voice, for many, demands responsibility. Our idea of "everyone can choose" also impedes on potential progression. Not only are decisions made slower, but with this dogma, we tend to value when someone takes personal responsibility instead of identifying systematic causes. This destroys the idea that we all have choice, and maybe that is a part why when any social change happens in America it is met with a lot of denial.


The man in Lauren's post was crazy. I think it's not up to the writer, but the publishing company and the readers. That's why the readers should be open to reading a lot. Writers should always keep writing as long as they have an honest agenda. I think the idea of reading authors and characterize them as "the default" objectifies writing because good writing should just resonate and be it-- no matter who's it from. Good writing should hit not on just a culturally level, but on multiple emotional and intellectual levels.I do also think it's important for readers to read stories about people from around the world. I was very lucky that my school district promoted reading stories from perspectives of minorities in America and people living in Asia and the Middle East. It was always made clear that the Middle East wasn't as harsh as it's been.


I've noticed, from reading the Psychology Today article Charlotte posted, that in college a lot of people respond to "hey, how are you?" with "okay." Many of us are not in the business of hiding our surface feelings. I think this is a sign of progress and a telling aspect of my generation's emotional intelligence. However, when I think about "hiding" our emotions, I think hiding them is human and sometimes necessary. They are bigger things than your feelings a lot of the time. I think it's important for kids to understand when to share and when it's best to focus on others.