Abstract Sexual difference is a recent addition to studies of gender. It is generally defined as the intersection between biological sex, social aspects of gender, as well as the impact of sexuality. In effect, it posits that none of these are mutually exclusive, that they combine to create "gender identity." It particular, this paper looks at how transgenderism poses challenges to this - and how it asks why these intersections come in to play and what the costs of incongruity between the three are. This paper looks at drag performance, 'true' transgenderism, and shemale porn in this context, asking whether they each support or erode hegemonic ideals of sexual difference. By looking at the specific gender performances in each category, drag can be presented as subversive to ideas of sexual difference, transgenderism can be perceived as supportive of sexual difference, and shemale porn unintentionally falls somewhere in the middle - it is both subversive and supportive.
Outline
Drag - Entertainment and Political Subversion
True Transgenderism - Replications of Hegemony?
Shemale Porn - Dominance, Subjugation and 'Faking It'
Conclusion
From the Paper "Raymond suggests that transsexuality, without the option of surgery, "could turn our sexual order upside down because it evades the impact of both socialization and biology as instances of sex typing" (cited in de Castro, 1993, p 88). In other words, transgenderism could have the political effect of drag performance everyday, on all people. Drag, unfortunately, only has the opportunity to challenge hegemonic norms at specific and scheduled times, to a limited (usually paying, interested, and open-minded) audience. However, by escaping into surgery, by 'matching' gender and biology, it is argued that transgendered people give up that opportunity in order to participate in the dichotomous thinking of our gender-repressive society."
Abstract Like all people, gay men express themselves by how they dress, and those members of the gay community who 'cross-dress' or dress 'in drag' are no exception. This paper examines how society viewed gay men in earlier days, beginning with the Berdeche of Pre-Columbian Native America, and continuing until the present day. It examines, in particular, cross-dressers and drag queens whose very act of dressing 'differently' is a symbol of pride in their unique sexuality.
From the Paper "Charles? style of cross-dressing is as "typical" of today's queens as is his devotion to the community and to his and other gay men's hard-won rights. The queen is not merely a simple copy of a heterosexual woman; rather she is a character that is at once uniquely gay in the fashions and attitudes she represents, and in the causes she espouses. Increasingly, even heterosexuals have come to see the deeper meanings behind what were once taboo images. Authors, artists, filmmakers, and those paragons of popular culture ? advertisers ? reach out to gay men in ways they never have before."
Abstract The paper handles the physical issues of drag and terminal speed within the context of throwing and kicking a football. The paper approaches the topic as if the world on the surface of the earth is a uniform fluid and anything moving through this fluid is subject to the force of drag. Accordingly, the paper explains that moving footballs must deal with these forces in specific ways in order to travel the greatest distance.
From the Paper "Any time an object moves through a fluid it is subject to a retarding force acting opposite to the direction in which it is traveling. This force is called drag and since our atmosphere is essentially a fluid, every object we observe to be moving relative to the atmosphere is experiencing drag. Generally, drag tends to reduce the speed of any moving object and in some situations is just considered to be friction. However, quite unlike friction, "The drag force increases as the speed of the object increases," (Tipler 133). In fact, "At low speeds, the drag force is approximately proportional to the speed of the object; at higher speeds, it is more nearly the square of the speed," (Tipler 133)."
Abstract A drag race is an acceleration contest from a standing start between two vehicles over a measured distance, which emerged in the 1940s in Southern California. NHRA or National Hot Rod Association was founded in 1951 to cut down illegal street racing and to introduced safety rules and performance in racing.
Abstract This paper begins with a definition of the rules of street racing. It then examines the sociological aspects of this illegal pastime, especially its appeal to inner-city adolescent boys. The paper then discusses a police report on an event involving street, or drag, racing. Finally, the paper examines the steps taken by law enforcement agencies to curb this dangerous sport.
From the Paper "The problem of illegal street racing is more common in the inner cities, although kids in suburban neighborhoods do also engage in such sport. For the most part, inner city kids are more likely to engage in such activities than other groups. School age children in the inner cities often are unable to find many other activities and services in their neighborhoods. According to studies, "The illegal street racing sport is more prevalent in African American neighborhoods, under a climate of isolation, the underclass youth evolve new attitudes, behaviors and practices which further marginalize their neighborhoods". {Douglas Massey and Nancy Denton. 1994}"
Abstract This paper examines how street racing has existed for generations and how it was most likely James Dean in "Rebel Without a Cause" that spurred American youth onto the streets for nighttime drag racing, creating a cult that lives on among today's youth. It looks at how street racing is found in every city and town across the country and how the consequences can often prove fatal for many youths. It also discusses attempts by the police and lawmakers to curb illegal street racing.
From the Paper "In the 1940's bored teenagers began making their own cars from frames of 1920's and 1930's Fords and Chevys and started racing along the dry lakes of Southern California(Street pg). The vintage gangster mobiles were the first proven formula cars, especially Fords and Chevys and especially the ?32 Fords with the first V-8 engine (Street pg). Then street racing began to take over city blocks, however, the police turned an eye, it was considered harmless, unlawful, but harmless (Street pg). By the 1950's street racing teams had formed, collaborating on one high performance car, the engine bored and stroked with headers and Mallory ignitions (Street pg). Across America, stoplights became the unofficial street racing launch pads, and police began cracking down and making arrests (Street pg)."
Abstract This paper explains the methodology promised and employed in order to mollify the tragedy and indignity of the depression, known as the New Deal, Roosevelt's grand plan, to drag a struggling nation out of financial ruin and into what would become the world of modern politics.
From the Paper "The New Deal divided the nation into the fairly distinctive categories of pro and anti New Deal. New Deal policies set an as yet unseen precedent for partisan politics as the notions of liberalism and conservatism came into direct conflict. Roosevelt followed the immensely unpopular Herbert Hoover, whose policies in dealing with the depression were of the "stay the course-a thousand points of light" variety. The political philosophy that, through hands-off government activity and minimal intervention, even the most dire economic situation will correct itself, was a distinctly republican one that perpetuates in republican policy making today."
Abstract This paper discusses the life of Peter the Great especially his role in building the Russian navy. The author starts by describing the strength of the Swedish navy and how Peter I conquered them. The author believes that the building of the Russian military, especially the navy, was testament to the will of this one man, Peter I, who with his genius, foresight, courage and charisma dragged the Russian world into the Age of Enlightenment.
From the Paper "In a concentrated effort no less fantastic than the U.S. response to Pearl Harbor in World War II, the Russians under Peter's dynamic leadership created a navy in every sense of the word. Not only did they build a fierce contingent of warships and galleys over the next several years; but also they developed the strategy and the strategists that would make best use of the new Russian naval instrument. By the 1720's, the Russians, not the Swedes, would have control of the Baltic. They would keep control of it for the better part of the next two centuries."
This paper discusses two films "Mr. Holland's Opus" and "Music of the Heart" that both celebrate the power of music in education and the need to support the arts in the educational setting for the benefit of all students.
Abstract This paper explains that the films take place in different worlds in both time and place: "Mr. Holland's Opus" offers a long-term look at a composer-turned-teacher and his many successes over the years and "Music of the Heart" depicts a real teacher who brought music classes to a school in an urban area. The author feels that both films show how difficult it is to get young people interested in learning. The author regrets that music and other arts have a difficult time not because there are no teachers with passion supporting them but because administrators and parents often have to be dragged kicking and screaming into supporting these subjects because music education is often seen as entertainment unless the child is going to be a musician.
From the Paper "This is especially evident in "Music of the Heart" in which Roberta Guaspari applies for a job teaching violin at an East Harlem public school. The students in this school are from the ghetto and are not being given the best our schools have to offer. There is insufficient funding for the classrooms, the teachers, the materials, and so on, and this is one reason why the school has no music program--music is seen as an extra rather than a necessity, and there is no funding available for the program. In addition, though it is largely unstated, the powers-that-be clearly do not believe music training is of any value to young people from this background, either because these students are seen as incapable of learning the subject, or because the subject would do little to get them the kind of vocational job the administration believes is their lot. The parents as well doom their own children to a life without the sort of musical sensibility Roberta brings to them--one mother complains that all Roberta is teaching her children is the music of "dead white men." There is a racial concern on both sides, with the white power structure seeing young black children as less capable, and with black parents fearing what the white power structure will make of their children."
Tags: composer, urban, difficulties, passion, entertainment
Abstract In Toni Morrison's "Song of Solomon" and Alice Walker's "The Color Purple", psychological and emotional freedom is presented as a goal that has to be earned. In the case of each novel's main characters, that freedom is earned by rising above and moving beyond suffering and pain: the characters transcend their old, hurtful existences and achieve freedom from what dragged them down earlier in life. Milkman Dead in "Song of Solomon" and Celie in "The Color Purple" achieve very different kinds of freedom. Celie's story ends in an almost stereotypical "happy ending," while Milkman Dead's fate is much more ambiguous, but both characters leave their past pain behind and move into a better present.
An examination of how World War I poetry changed as the war developed through a review of William Butler Yeats' poem "An Irish Airman Foresees His Death" and Wilfred Owens' "Anthem for a Doomed Youth".
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 4 sources, 2002, $ 44.95
Abstract This paper examines the poetry of World War One and how it changed as the war dragged on. The author notes the optimism and patriotism of the prewar years, and compares it to the poetry of the war's last days, which spoke only of disillusionment, hopelessness, betrayal, and despair. William Butler Yeats' poem, "An Irish Airman Foresees His Death" and Wilfred Owens' haunting "Anthem for a Doomed Youth" are emphasized, for they reflected the horror and futility of war, and spoke for the millions of young soldiers who had rejected the mindless patriotism of 1914 and had come to understand the hellish reality of inevitable death in battle.
Abstract This paper discusses how Microsoft Access 2000, is essentially a desktop database management system. It enables users to easily manage their database by drag-and-drop and graphical design for queries, forms, and reports tools. Access 2000 comes with an attached development environment (IDE), as well as progressive assembling, a fully interactive visual debugger, breakpoints, and individual step-through. These qualities fuse to make Microsoft Access an extremely powerful platform for developing client-server database solutions and applications.
Abstract By using Martin Duberman's "Stonewall" as a reference, this paper examines how the Stonewall riots of 1969 sparked the movement for gay liberation by providing a platform for homosexuals. The paper discusses the oppression felt by homosexuals and all minorities and relates the black civil rights movement and anti-war protests to the gay riots. The paper shows how the book discusses the laws against homosexuals and the way society felt. By using historical facts to set the mood of the time, Duberman shows details of riots, which began prior to 1969, and the result of these riots on American political organizations.
From the Paper "Through the lives of the individuals in Dubermans? book we learn how the gay liberation movement began. Stonewall gives insight into the oppression and emotion that ultimately led to the gay liberation movement. He sets the tone by depicting how and why the Stonewall riot emerged. The lives of these individuals clearly show that resistance to oppression had been mounting. It only took one night of high emotions, years of oppression, and a widespread resistance to authority to "kick start" the gay liberation movement."
Abstract Several characters are focused on to discuss different aspects of feminism. It explains how Maria Novaro's movie, "Danzon", highlights a strength and beauty within femininity. It provides an analysis of many of the movie's characters to explain how the concept of femininity was maintained throughout.
From the Paper "The director can be said to have a form of feminism that demonstrates "superficial" feminine aspects as empowering, beautiful, and natural, rather than oppressive or degrading. The realities of women in cultures and subcultures are extremely complex, but in this 96 minute fairy-tale, it is the frilly, feminine fun that is so refreshing. The writer/director studied sociology and in the early 80's was part of a feminist filmmaking group in Mexico City called Cine Mujer."
Tags:drag, homosexuality, mexico, queens, sexuality, women
Abstract The Mexican-U.S. dispute over water shortages in the Rio Grande has its roots in Mexico's failure to abide by a 1944 water treaty. As a result, U.S. farmers on the American side of the Rio Grande have been strongly impacted, with many losing their businesses, and the area's agricultural industry has been severely damaged by the water shortage. This paper discusses how the U.S. government has been accused of dragging its feet on the issue and how Mexico has remained largely defiant of its action. It suggests that the solution to this issue may lie in stricter enforcement and the creation of new international laws involving the use of shared water resources, as well as beefing up water conservation on both sides of the border.
From the Paper "In recent years, Mexico and the United States have clashed over water shortages on either side of the Rio Grande River in South Texas. Mexico's failure to abide by a 1944 water treaty since 1992 has severely damaged U.S. agriculture. While Mexico seems largely unrepentant and unwilling to release water to the U.S., U.S. officials have been accused of ignoring the issue in the wake of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). While steps are being made to address the issue, including water conservation and the release of some water owed to the U.S., much remains to be done to solve the shortage. Changes to international law involving the use of shared water resources may provide some long-term relief while the creation of more water conservation measures will likely help alleviate the shortage in the short-term."
