In Cosmo, this magazine is highly rated about the issues of "sex," though it is not a gender equality or equity magazine. It is based on the entertainment of "social constructs of sex." The article, Sex in Small Spaces gives tips on how one should have sex in the car. The idea that women are sexual objects but then there's the controversy of women's appetite for sex as nymphos. It is obvious that the continuum of sex for women and pleasure is complex, but to use men to complicate the matter in this issue proves that sex is highly rated for men and women are still in the back trying to follow their lead. I do not agree with Cosmo perspective in any of their issues due to the fact they use women empowerment, "girl power," to associate men domination as a subtle and creative erotic attraction. Therefore it becomes a behavior that women approves to associate with. In the end, equality is left out as a choice women prefer to walk away from because they agree with men that they should be left out the equation. Will liberation become a choice, and women become trapped in the eroticism for men sexual gratification that loving women is nothing more than a woman's denial to be interested in such a boring option. I find that this is problematic for this magazine to associate sex and pleasure with the male gaze. It is not that men are not equal with women. It is not that women should not have the desire to explore sexual appetite with men. The concern is that women will not choose equality with men because they are driven to be exotic for men. Will this be equality for the 21st century? Will the first and second wave movement become nothing more than just a crude aspiration? It is within this frame work that women enjoy the pleasures of men eroticism lead us to this final question of hooks, "The pressure on men in a patriarchal society to "perform" sexually is so great that men are often so gratified to be with someone with whom they find sexual pleasure that they ignore everything else." (hooks, 2000)
"Although these women experience many of the same health problems as white women, as a group, they are in poorer health, use fewer health services, and continue to suffer disproportionately from premature death, disease, and disabilities." (Satcher, 2001) It is within this metaphor that the common ground women of color have is the ability to access to health care as middle class and upper class white women. "African Americans represent 13% of the total of the US population of women; Hispanic women, 11%; Asian-American/Pacific Islander women, 4%; and American Indian/Alaska Native women just under 1%. The remaining 71% of American women are white." (Satcher 2001) The opportunity for women to bridge the gap of health care resources is like a birdcage. Frye's metaphor demonstrates the intersection of women's health. The opportunities for women of color versus the opportunities for white women in the 21st century seem to fall under the racial institution that complicates the degree that the effort to keep women healthy must comply with that financial model that creates a quality disparity in the health system for women of color. "Disparities take on many forms: racial, ethnic, gender, geographic, income, educational, cultural, and others." (Satcher, 2001) It is within this birdcage a female is kept in unhealthy institutions within the health care system.
"Today, however, the truth is that who we are transcends gender. Our future must be based on active membership and leadership by both male and female colleagues. It is time to embrace our wholeness rather than to dwell on our differences." (Dickerson, 2004)
DeFazio has tried to keep equality in the state because of his diverse background. I agree with his tactics in handling concerns for the state. He is able to take his letters and respond one case at a time. He gives quality because he agrees with their concern. In that process, Defazio initiates social change by taking on the case as if it was his own welfare to create access to what he feels justifies an opportunity a person may or may not have without his intervention. He allows himself to hear gender issues and racial concerns. As Dickenson, I also agree to his evaluation on freedom from discrimination based on gender, gender identity and sexual orientation, age, race and ethnicity. This reminds me of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech, I have a Dream. I also agree that the National Organization for Women is another NGO that creates a platform for women to stand on safely and surround other issues of equality and equity to surface that may not be exposed to the justice and well being of our global community and cultural wholeness. It would become a new day if access to healing environments and integrative approaches to health and health care would be accessible to everyone. This would be a new day because equality would be the face of all institutions. (Dickinson, 2001) I look forward in handling cases of equality then end my day all needs met. This knowledge impacts my life because I realize the legacy of struggle, (Collins) may be worth it in the long run if today I see manifestations of healing environments and people living to care and integrate health to us all. I would not only become an employee of such duties. I would be honored to be a client in that process as well.
