Week #1

Throughout my life I always admired people who had a strong sense of self and wondered why I wasn't like that. In a way, I thought that it was just a born trait and came to terms with thinking I could never be like that. It wasn't until my sophomore year of college that I realized I had full control over myself and my identity and that I could make it anything that I wanted. I thought about this after reading the article, specifically on page 57 when it says, "One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman..." This quote really stuck out to me and made me realize how far I've come. I sometimes wish that more people would think about the potential they have to become whatever they want to be, whether gender has something to do with it or not, and take fully advantage of it. I hate when people say, "Well this is me, deal with it" when really all it takes is time and active, conscious efforts to change and/or improve yourself.
The quote also relates to the in-class discussion about transgender, in my opinion. I've been a Resident Advisor at Parkside for 2 years so I have been through many LGBTQ sensitivity training sessions. I have learned that being transgendered means that what your biological sex is does not match what feels right in your mind/heart. Transgendered individuals basically change their identity to that of another gender, whether it's the opposite gender or as gender neutral. This quote exemplifies that a person, even if not born as a biological female, can become a woman.
My question is if/when did you start making a conscious effort to alter or maintain your identity. If you do not feel that you have made a conscious effort, my question would be if you are happy with your identity and/or why you do not make conscious efforts towards your identity.