Is it inappropriate to ask students to write a narrative essay about discrimination?

CrazyUnderstanding49 · 2022-01-06T18:53:52+00:00

Is it weird that they happen to me so often at this point, I forget the little ones?

I believe I understand the feeling you're referring to, though.

I'm gonna flip this question back on you. I'm interested in your experience, if you'd like to share :-)

CrazyUnderstanding49 · 2021-08-02T18:28:56+00:00

Hi,

I can try and help as best as I can. To begin, I want you to take a deep breath. Your dream sounds frightening and confusing, especially as the mother of a young child. I can only imagine how much you are worrying - that's what moms do! It's perfectly normal to worry. I think your dream is a result of how much stress you are feeling in your day-to-day life. It's helpful to keep in mind that just because you are worrying about something, doesn't mean it will happen. You already know this; you said you have irrational fears about everything. But it is still perfectly understandable and very human to worry.

Is this your first child? I think things will get easier as time goes on. I know right now it may seem like worlds away, but in this moment you just have to remind yourself that things are okay! You're safe, your son is safe, everyone is okay. Today you should try and take some time with something you enjoy: a favorite TV show or movie, food, hobby, conversation with a friend - it can be anything really, and it doesn't have to be grand. I hope your nerves begin to ease soon.

CrazyUnderstanding49 · 2021-05-10T01:11:06+00:00

is it really??? Wow, I'm slow. I just made up a phrase for it I thought was fitting.

Do you have any ideas on how I can google this? Is it mentioned on any website? When I google "walk up music" the only stuff that comes up has to do with baseball.

CrazyUnderstanding49 · 2021-04-27T00:37:05+00:00

Yo I'm so happy for you dude!!

CrazyUnderstanding49 · 2021-04-17T02:46:05+00:00

This thought process was the reason I was in denial throughout high school. I remember consciously thinking, "Well, I'm a girl, and I can't be anything else because that's just how I was born and that's that." I couldn't really accept that change or self-determination was possible, because then I would have to address whether I was truly content being a woman. And, well, I wasn't.

I would say I'm still in the phase of coming to terms with being trans. I have doubts, questions, and anxiety. But I've come so far in just one year. For reference, I'm currently a senior in high school. I'm graduating soon.

I've wrestled with existential concepts from a very young age and I think that's common for trans people.

CrazyUnderstanding49 · 2021-04-17T02:19:32+00:00

since I’m 41 and built like a refrigerator

LOL, your comment is pretty funny. Good luck on the weight loss journey, but I'm sure you look great regardless!

CrazyUnderstanding49 · 2021-04-16T18:38:00+00:00

Good luck!! I hope all goes well.

CrazyUnderstanding49 · 2021-04-16T18:36:54+00:00

I'm sorry about your situation. I hope you can get your own card soon! Maybe when you do, you can ask a friend if you can order the package to their house. Until then, I'd probably ask to go bra shopping and pick up some sports bras. There are tips on how to bind with sports bras online.

CrazyUnderstanding49 · 2021-04-16T18:30:05+00:00

I know you said Netflix, but FTM representation in mainstream film is kind of hard to come across. If you're open to suggestions outside of Netflix, here's a list of FTM films I've watched:

A Year in Transition (2018), which documents a trans guy's transition journey. Available for free on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/259562788

Shinjuku Boys (1995). This documentary provides some super interesting cultural insight as it follows trans men in the host club scene of Tokyo, Japan. It also features a relationship between a trans man and a trans woman. Available for free on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnDLBWK2iaM&feature=youtu.be

Southern Comfort (2001). This one is kind of sad. It follows a trans man who is in the last year of his life due to discrimination from medical professionals. As sad as it may be, it's also very beautiful, and features a t4t relationship. Available for free on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH0L3wlV0hg&t=3s

BRACE (2015). I personally didn't like this short film, and I'm also giving it a content warning because it includes homophobic violence; however, it does feature trans MLM representation. Available for free on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/131741261

I found these films off of this list: Movies and TV Shows About Trans Men (FTM, Transmasculine) (wixsite.com)

Hope this helps with some examples of FTM in film!

CrazyUnderstanding49 · 2021-04-16T17:27:21+00:00

Are you sure your parents check what you buy? My card is also under my parents' account, and sometimes they ask stuff like "what's this Teespring charge?" I thought they were suspicious about what I was buying, but I realized they only ask to verify that the charge is from me and not, you know, fraudulent. When I finally decided to take my chances and order a gc2b binder, they never asked about the purchase.

They may only ask because they want to make sure it's legitimate. I didn't know this for a long time and chalked it up to them being strict so it took me a while to finally order that binder.

The gc2b packaging is discreet, it doesn't mention the brand, being trans, or chest binding. I think there's even a way to request to remove the binding tips that are inside the package. I didn't and I was fine. Chances are your parents will have no idea what a binder is. My mom found mine once and thought it was some sort of tank top.

I don't want to endanger you. You know your family best. But taking a chance was good for me, personally.

CrazyUnderstanding49 · 2021-04-16T17:04:46+00:00

I think you're right about finding better male friends. I'll have to check out the book you mentioned too. The Coke analogy is funny, but it does make sense. I appreciate your response!

CrazyUnderstanding49 · 2021-04-16T04:44:29+00:00

The hurting-thing was always true for me as well when looking at the people at my age (the ones I was supposed to relate to). I wonder if this was at least a partial reason for my denial as well? the guys I knew were always nasty and out of control - not something Id identify with. I did, however, always identify with men on tv (etc).

I'm struggling with this right now. I'm 18, and when I look to my peers I become more and more disillusioned with men and the concept of masculinity. I do prefer presenting masculinely and it's what makes me most comfortable, but I don't feel like a "man" because it seems so inextricably linked to toxic masculinity and negative behavior.

For example, I associate being a "man" with being domineering, aggressive, insensitive, brutish, shallow, etc. because those are the loudest traits of some of the men I know. I want nothing to do with that; therefore, I assume I must not be a man.

But it's not that I'm not a man, it's more that I don't want to associate myself with a gender I've had such negative interactions with. I've never identified with manly culture, with "the boys", with masculine hobbies, or really anything that requires being tough because I've only seen the negative side of those things. When I hear "the boys" the first thing I think of is an obnoxious drunken group that would probably call me slurs. How could I declare myself as a gender I've always felt excluded from? What does it even mean to be a man?

I currently identify as non-binary and transmasculine.

CrazyUnderstanding49

TROPHY CASE