As a cisgender, straight woman, I have been largely unaware about people’s experiences as they discover their gender identites. Reading This Is How It Always Is was incredibly insightful and helpful in my journey to being more knowledgeable and a better ally. I learned that gender should be inclusive, and not exclusive, and that there are so many, many more genders that I originally thought. Before this project, I had no idea that people could identify as multiple genders. These ideas are impactful because now I feel that I have taken a step in the right direction to educate myself in becoming a better person.
I hope that people who read through my project learn that gender is not restricted to just the traditional “male” and “female,” and that gender can be fluid. I also hope that people learn about the privileges of the cisgender. It is a privilege that we are often so unaware about the different struggles that trans and non gender conforming individuals face, and we must continue to educate ourselves in order to support everyone.
My time at NNHS has been full of growth. I have definitely gained confidence and have developed a better understanding of who I am as a person, and what I want to achieve in the future. I have abandoned and gained new hobbies (art, painting, writing), and have gained an amazing group of friends that I can count on. My time at NNHS has taught me that no person is static; everyone is constantly growing and evolving and should push to be better.
To future NNHS seniors, take advantage of every moment. I know it sounds cliche, but time really does move fast in your last year. Especially during the pandemic, you begin to realize how much you took for granted. Cherish moments with your friends and classmates, because soon they won’t always be with you.
Link to my project: https://sites.google.com/stu.naperville203.org/leitextset/this-is-how-it-always-is
Hey Cecilia,
I really enjoyed your project. Though I have not read This is How it Always is, I want to learn about being a better ally for the transgender and LGBTQ plus community. I completely agree that it is such a huge privilege to be a cisgender, straight woman and never have to deal with this oppression and discrimination. Your text set is so good I really enjoyed reading through it, especially the song. I think I am definitely going to have to read this book soon!
Cecilia,
I definitely agree with your advice to take advantage of every moment. Looking back on my senior year, COVID definitely limited what we were able to capitalize on as seniors, but I still take pride in having done everything I could to make it special.
Hi Cecilia,
your blog is very well written and I appreciate your honesty about your knowledge on the concept of gender, because it’s definitely a complex topic and a lot of people won’t even consider educating themselves on it simply because they think they already know everything there is to know. Reading “This is How it Always” is also gave me the opportunity to take a deeper dive into the concept of gender as well as the fact that it’s solely a social construct that’s been forced to become a binary. You and I never met before this class but I enjoyed the little time we got to spend together as classmates and I hope you enjoy your life to the fullest no matter where it takes you 🙂