Cartoons That Explain Sexism

Cartoons have either been viewed as something for children or pure entertainment. However, there are instances when they are used to explore serious subjects and discuss topics that are otherwise taboo.  These cartoons below demonstrate how sexism harms both men and women. Feminists claim that sexism does not effect men, yet this clearly is not the case. These cartoons were produced by a Japanese artist known as Rasenth.

Women's Sports Throughout History

It was once believed that sport was solely a man's domain. Strict gender construction in various societies would not allow women to participate in certain activities. Strength and physical skill were to be a male only attributes and women who had these qualities were considered unfeminine. That has changed and now women are engaging in sports in larger numbers. The idea  of  women's physical and biological inferiority was proven to be a myth. Sports did advance gender equality giving women a new sense of confidence. 

A Quote From Qaddafi That Is Rarely Examined

“Women, like men, are human beings. This is an incontestable truth… Women are different from men in form because they are females, just as all females in the kingdom of plants and animals differ from the male of their species… Since men cannot be impregnated they do not experience the ailments that women do. She breastfeeds for nearly two years.”

- The Green Book by Muammar Qaddafi

The West often views Arab and African countries as not respectful of women's rights. This contradictory criticism becomes more ludicrous when in the West there is  the feminization  of poverty and attempts of right-wing forces to restrict reproductive rights. For the case of Libya it did not fit into the narrow stereotype that the West perceived. Libyan women could get divorces, receive an education, and join the army. This completely overturned the misogynistic Arab society stereotype. Prior to the 1969 Al Fatitha Revolution, women had the lowest literacy rate in the country . This changed when the Revolutionary Command Council introduced sweeping education reforms. Libyan women could study abroad and pursue careers. Qaddafi's bodyguard corps even consisted of women. Muammar Qaddafi established national military academy for women who wanted to pursue military careers. Libyan women were experiencing power that they had not known before. Lugubriously, this was all reversed by the NATO invasion in 2011. Now, Libyan women are worse off like the majority of the population. Civil war, ethnic conflict, and terrorism has gradually destroyed the country.    

Camille Paglia on Third Wave Feminism

Camille Paglia is a professor and cultural critic known for criticism of  the contemporary feminist movement. Although a controversial figure, some of her points are valid. We cannot deny that biology does play a role in our behavior. However, this is not the only factor. Environment is essential element that forms a human being. Camille seems to value what she refers to as "masculine values." Inventing, discovering, and exploring are not masculine values. They are values of a person of vigor and ambition. Men and women who lack this, will not be movers of society and civilization.Saying that men were the only movers of history is subtle sexism. No one can deny that sexual dimorphism is biological fact, but that does not imply superiority. Men and women are different, but equal. The lugubrious fact is that society values men more than women. Hopefully, one day this can change, so that men and women can both be valued members in society.  

Patsy T. Mink (1927-2002)

Patsy T. Mink was a politician and congresswoman. She served as a representative to the state of Hawaii as a member of the Democratic Party. She had to confront racial and sexist prejudice when growing up in Hawaii. These obstacles never deterred her when pursuing her goals. During the 1940s racial hatred against the Japanese increased, because the US was at war with the Empire of Japan. Japanese Americans were either placed in internment camps or subject to xenophobic hatred. Even in this tense atmosphere, Patsy T. Mink graduated valedictorian from Maui High School. She was a very skilled and talent student who had dreams of a career in medicine. Mink first attended the University of Hawaii, then transferred to Wilson College in Pennsylvania. The Science program there she felt was not adequate and then made another transfer to the University of Nebraska. She would return to the University of Hawaii earning a  bachelor's degree in zoology and chemistry. This was around 1948 and it looked like the goal of being in a medical profession was in her grasp. However, she was a victim of discrimination being rejected by all twenty schools she applied for. This set her on another career path. She would study law and later enter politics.  
            Patsy T. Mink became involved in local Hawaiian politics during the 1950s.  Her rapid rise came in 1958 when she was elected to the Territory of Hawaii Senate. Her public service would last decades.  She served from 1965 to 1971 as a U.S representative from Hawaii. Congresswoman Mink would represent the second district from 1971 to 1977. Patsy T. Mink would then serve as Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Science Affairs from 1977 to 1978. She would return to her old congressional seat in 1990. She was an advocate of civil rights, women's rights, and was opposed to US intervention in Vietnam. This made her a target by right-wing forces from Republicans and pro-war Democrats. She became a member of the N.A.A.C.P and in 1960 at the Democratic National Convention voiced her support for the African American freedom struggle. Her biggest success was area related to education and social policy. The Education Amendments of 1972  was the legislation she was most notable for. This  was a law that prohibited sex discrimination in educational programs receiving federal funds. Title IX  was a part of this legislation, which Mink was the co-author of. This had a major impact on women's participation in athletics. Across the country, girls' sport programs were underfunded at both the secondary and tertiary level of school. This challenged and changed that and generations of women began participation in competitive sport . Patsy T. Mink also authored the Women's Educational Equity Act  She was also was instrumental in the introduction of the Early Childhood Education Act. She dedicated her life to fighting inequality and promoting social justice. Patsy T. Mink passed away in 2002 from pneumonia. Title IX was renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act in her honor. 

Further Reading 

 Keene, Ann T. "American National Biography Online: Mink, Patsy." American National Biography Online: Mink, Patsy. Oxford University Press., 4 Oct. 2008. Web. 02 Mar. 2015.

How Israel Treats Women

Religion often hinders progress of certain groups. Women usually are placed in a subordinate role in the monotheistic tradition. Orthodox Jews hold a strict view on women's roles in society. The Western media often makes the false claim that Islam treats women horribly. This is not monopolized by one religion. Many are guilty of violating women's basic rights as human beings. Orthodox Jewish women are attempting to become more politically active, but are met with oppression.  B'Zchutan   Party is entering the Israeli elections hoping to challenge traditional views. This situation proves the more religious a nation becomes, the worse it will be for women. 

Nzingha (1583-1663)

Nzingha was a queen and skilled warrior who ruled Matamba and Ndongo. Matamba ( today known as Angola) was under threat from Portuguese invaders. Even at the time of her birth they had gradually established trading settlements. Nzinga faced challenges early on in life. Her father was deposed and her half-brother Mbandi drove her into exile. Nizinga's son was then murdered to stop any possible challenge to his rule. However King Mbandi needed her skills to combat Portuguese aggression.  Her brother attempted negotiation by sending Nzingha to meet with the viceroy in 1622.  The result of the agreements were the release of Portuguese prisoners and the recognition of  Ndongo's territorial integrity. Mbandi was inept and unable to control the political crisis that was destroying Ndongo. Nzingha realized if the kingdom was to be saved she would have to take over.
         Mbandi was slowly losing support within the kingdom. Mbandi wanted to start another process of negotiation, but the Portuguese had no intention of making peace. Nzingha now had a chance to reverse the situation. She realized strong alliances were needed to confront powerful enemies. Nzingha made an alliance with the Jaga people and organized her supporters against Mbandi. He was overthrown  and killed. Now, Nzingha had control of the Ndongo kingdom.She began to implement new policies. Polygamy was restricted and the penal code revised. Nzingha would convert to Christianity and encouraged her kingdom to do the same. This sudden acceptance of Christianity had a political motive. It could have been a way to unify Ndongo through a common ideology. Another purpose was to use it as diplomatic leverage against the Portuguese. The reasoning behind this was that they would be unwilling to attack other Christians .  This did not work and in 1629 conflict erupted. She had to flee and restrategize. This time she formed her own kingdom Matamba and built an even stronger army. Nzingha then developed alliances with the Kongo people and the Dutch to counter Portuguese expansion. She waged a long war from 1639 to 1648 forcing the Portuguese to their coastal fortifications. She would personally lead her troops into battle. Her armies consisted of both women, men,  and some Jaga slaves that were promised freedom. Her goal was to expel the Portuguese permanently from the region. This was not entirely possible and she eventually accepted peace in 1656.
      The Portuguese did not get what they wanted in the peace terms. Nzingha never allowed her kingdom to pay tribute or recognize the Portuguese viceroy as ruler. She was too powerful a leader to overcome. Even though her alliances with the Kongo and Dutch collapsed, Matamba could not be conquered. When she died in 1663 the Portuguese were able to fully colonize the region. She was a true hero in every sense of the word. 

Further Reading 

Rogers, Julius. World's Great Men of Color . New York: Simon and Schuster, 1996. 

    Appiah, Kwame and Gates, Henry. “Nzingha”. Africana Encyclopedia.

             New York :Perseus Books Group,1999.1452.  

     

Sexual Dimorphism in the Human Species

Sexual dimorphism refers to the sex differences among the same species of organism. This can be seen through out the animal kingdom. Humans also have varying degrees of sexual dimorphism. There are two sets of characteristics that the human sexes have. The primary sex characteristics are related to organs of sexual reproduction. Secondary sexual characteristics are physical attributes that develop after puberty. Sexual dimorphism is the result of millions of years of human evolution from the first australopiths to the homo sapiens . There are billions of people on Earth and humanity continues to be a successful species.
        Puberty marks the biological transition to adulthood. Girls will become women and boys will become men with the ability to sexually reproduce. Growth hormone will be released by the pituitary gland causing the body to increase in size (around ages 14 to 16). Girls develop their growth spurt sooner than boys. Although boys are slower to grow they will eventually catch up and surpass girls in height ( men continue to grow until their 20s). Girls develop their menstrual period ( the menarche happens around ages 12 to 13). Boys testes will enlarge and will produce more testosterone. Gonadotropic-releasing hormone coordinates the regulation of testosterone in conjunction with the anterior pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. Women will produce more estrogen, instead of androgens. Girls will also produce progesterone  The hypothalamus acts as a director in the changes in the body. Children approaching the adolescent life cycle stage will change physiologically. Pubic hair appears on young men and women. Both sexes gain under arm hair. Men, not women gain facial hair and their voice will deepen. Boys will have their penis grow and women will develop ovaries ,breasts. and see changes in the uterus ( including the vagina). When this process is over adulthood becomes the next stage in the human life cycle.

Here are some of the basic secondary sex characteristics. Men have broader shoulders, while women have wider hips. Men have a larger laryngeal prominence  and women have mammary glands.

The primary sex characteristics are the genitals. Both men and women contain gonads that aid in the reproduction of  off spring. The gonads are responsible for producing gametes. Haploid cells are formed from gametes. Men produce spermatozoon in the testes and women ovum. The sperm and egg will combine to form a zygote which will become an embryo and a new life will develop. The male reproductive system contains various parts. The testes produce sperm and sex hormones. Males produce more androgens than women. Men have testosterone close to a range of 0.95-4.3 pg/dl. The testes are protected by the scrotum, which is a sac like structure. Internally, testes contain the seminiferous tubules. These structures contain cells that are in the process of spermatogenesis. The epididymis transfers sperm to the urethra (for ejaculation). The vasa deferentia  acts a storage area for sperm ( just like the epididymus).  The bulbourethral gland ( commonly called the cowper's gland) contributes fluid to semen. The prostate gland secretes fluid. When the man becomes aroused the penis will become erect and release semen. 

The anatomical structure of the male reproductive system 

The female reproductive system has different anatomical structures. These structures include the uterus,vulva, vagina, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. The clitoris is similar to the penis in terms of being an organ of copulation. It has twice as many nerve endings when compared to the penis. The uterus of the female body is responsible for containing the developing embryo and fetus. The ovaries will produce eggs and sex hormones. The oviducts are the location of fertilization of eggs and direction of them. The vagina during copulation will facilitate the entry of the penis. Hormone production functions in a similar manner between the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary gland. Feedback control manages the amount of estrogen and progesterone. Just like males hormone levels are controlled by a feedback loop. The hypothalamus will produce gonadotropic hormone and then directs the anterior pituitary gland to form follicle producing hormone and luteinizing hormone. FHS  will produce estrogen and LH will form progesterone. This process happens in males except testosterone and other androgens are produced. The corpus lutem produces progesterone and the follicle is responsible for estrogen. 

The anatomical structure of the female reproductive system 

The secondary sex characteristics are attributes not related to the reproductive system. Phenotypic traits vary among men and women. Men because of the production of testosterone have more muscle mass and larger bone structure (as well as denser ligaments and tendons). Women's production of estrogen allows for the storage of fat (mostly on the posterior, thighs,and hips). This means on average men would be stronger than women, however this follows a bell curve in graphical analysis. It is not impossible for a woman to be stronger than a man. Men have a vast majority of their strength concentrated in the upper body, while women are closer to men in the lower body. Males have more type II muscle fibers and greater capacity for muscular hypertrophy. At the cellular level there is no difference between male and female muscle. The skeleton differs between men and women. Women have wider hips and a pelvis that is shaped to accommodate child birth.  The skull has more mass in males. Seeing as women have lower bone mass, this makes them more vulnerable to osteoporosis. Men and women's faces also differ. A male face will be square like in the jaw and a female face will be rounder. Genetically sex can be determined by certain chromosomes. Males contain the XY  chromosomes and females contain XX. The SRY gene regulates sexual differentiation of the Y chromosome.       

The Y chromosome 

Brain size does differ among males and females. This does not cause a difference in intelligence, which varies from person to person. The reason for the difference in brain size is due to body size. Other organs of the body do differ physiologically. Men have a high lung capacity and higher red blood cell count. Women have a higher white blood cell count and as a result would be better at fighting off infectious diseases. Women will on average live longer than men. However, there are men who do reach advanced age. The human population varies in a multitude of ways and biology is not the only factor. Organisms are products of both biology and environment. 

      The reason sexual dimorphism exists is because of natural selection and mate choice in the animal kingdom. Natural selection will favor particular traits to be inherited in an animal population. Producing offspring is critical to survival of a species. Not only do animals fight to survive, but they also compete for mates. The earliest hominids did this. Humans to day with advanced civilization still in a different manner compete for mates ( we call it courtship or dating). Certain attributes could indicate which organisms have a better chance of producing offspring.Women's wide hips and rounder appearance could indicate to males that  she is fertile. Men's stronger looking stature could be a signal to women that he is a better provider of offspring. Mate choice can be more complex than just these two factors. Sex differences are the product of human evolution and environmental factors . 

Further Reading 

Mader, Sylvia. Biology. New York: McGraw-Hill,2010. 

Barnes-Svarney, Patricia. Science Desk Reference. New York : The Stonesong Press Inc, 1995.