The following is my "Personal Reflection Paper" as looking back on the 10 service hours I shared with the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), and the things I've learned from striving to be an ally to women.
William Schneider
Reaction Paper #2
Social Health & Diversity
Instructor: Ms. Jackie Farnsworth
Tuesday and Thursday at 1PM
In my Social Health & Diversity (SH&D) class at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC), we have been learning the dynamics of diversity between races, classes, ages, religions, sexual orientations, weight, attractiveness, etc. Thus far in the class, my mind has most strongly been impressed upon by the bigotry between ages, and between men and women. We were all placed into groups to be "Allies" with "minority groups." The group I was placed into was to be allies with women. This is the group I wanted. Ms. Jackie Farnsworth, our teacher said that it is a very difficult minority for men to be allies with. This is unbelievably true, and manifests itself more and more every day.
I have thoroughly enjoyed striving to be an ally to women. I cannot yet say I am the perfect ally, but promise to continue working for this throughout my life. I would say the greatest challenge that I've faced is in the social interactions between man and woman. I like to think of myself as someone to treat everyone equally, but often find that in social interactions between myself and women, it is "natural" to be belittling and offensive toward them. Often it is something that doesn't seem very poignant, but it's effects can be painful when properly viewed. Countless times in the previous months I have heard men refer to women as "bitch," "whore," "slut," "dyke," etc. These can someones even be played into by other women, women whom they mean to belittle. It's almost as if fitting into that mold that men present for them lessens the social/emotional blow that inappropriate naming can cause.
One of the greatest rewards of being an ally to women is how I feel inside. I may not be lightyears closer to perfection in this category, but I am significantly more aware of what is happening around me, and that is tremendous cause for celebration. The eye-opening experience this has been is something I hope will "catch fire" with those around me and other Americans. It can be "cool" to treat women with the utmost respect and dignity, but far more common is being "cool" for showing other dudes how "cool" you are because you've got a woman or many women "trailing your heels."
I cannot see thus far how my service has affected my community, but I hope that it will one day. I have been doing my "service learning" hours at the Young Womens Christian Association (YWCA). I have been able to make friends with other volunteers, and interact with the counseling women on staff. They say it has been good for others to see that "men" can be good. Often there are women at the YWCA who are escaping abusive men in their lives, leaving with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Though I cannot see the difference I'm making, I sincerely hope it will have lasting positive effects.
My service has affected me individually through the knowledge I've gained through serving. Learning what some women endure through, it has given me a greater desire to become a better man, to become something other than what is "expected" of me by other men. Being a Christian, I would never have thought that treating women poorly would be a problem, but it is trendy and easy. It is a mold that has been set by previous generations that is all too easy for the community and country to remain in.
I am excited to one day achieve the status of "ally to women," and will not stop striving to understand it's meaning until I have accomplished it. I sincerely hope that progress comes swiftly, and that I have no hinderances to my progression.
