Response to Rachel's Post 11/7/10

After reading the Chapters by Enloe, “Being Curious about our Lack of Feminist Curiosity” and “The Surprised Feminist,” it made made put things into perspective and analyze the world that I come from. At times it is difficult to be the curious one and step out of one’s comfort zone because one does not want to be judged by others, but this is the only way that we will be able to bring about change. Things must be defined or put into categories in order to make people feel more comfortable, for example when homosexuality was an uncomfortable issue until a name was actually put to it and there were those curious people that were able to explain it fully to the rest in order to create awareness. The same must be done for women today who continue to receive patriarchy’s back-hand in subtle ways because patriarchy has been able to hide itself and morph into another species in today’s society. Patriarchy has become hypocritical in character because society, which is led by patriarchy, continues to preach gender equality yet we still see the differences in the different gender treatment and even of unequal ratio of those in power positions such as in the fields of business, politics, and medicine. I see why Enloe encourages individuals, feminists in particular to step out of their comfort zone and not be afraid to question and be curious. This is the only way that they will be able to bring about change. Although there are still some subjects that feminists have not completely mastered, it is okay to not know everything but it is important to keep an open mind and continue further researching in order to tackle head on all the issues that feminists face by patriarchy. Feminists are still becoming more knowledgeable and some may want to break them down by coming at them with an argument that might establish an element of surprise in which they may not have a comeback, but this only helps to peak their curiosity even more to figure out an answer to some arguments and put it into perspective. Isn’t that how we all learn? Feminist Curiosity is crucial toward elaborating on knowledge and bringing about change in society.