I’m not going to lie--I was extremely apprehensive when I first looked at my copy of Sexing the Body. Glancing at the seemingly provocative picture on the cover of the book along with oversized words Sexing and Body made me immediate think of one thing, or rather one person: my stepmom. She is an awesome parent, but is also both a very opinionated and very vocal feminist. This book seemed right up her alley.
Since my only experiences involving feminism revolved around my stepmom, I assumed that Fausto-Sterling, also being a feminist, would try to force some one-sided opinion down my throat. However, after delving into the first chapter, my overwhelmingly negative and extremely misguided first impressions quickly faded away. Instead of Fausto-Sterling force-feeding me her own opinions, she made me aware of issues I’ve never fully considered, presented multiple sides of the controversy, mentioned her stance, and then allowed me to come to my own conclusion (which was almost always the same ones as her). Her process of gradually guiding the reader (or at least me) to her same opinions makes Sexing the Body a phenomenally effective intervention.
I was also intrigued by how Fausto-Sterling used specific controversies as a means of subtly opening up other general dilemmas. In particular, I’m referring to the passage on p. 15:
“...a strongly self-identified gay and lesbian community demands the right to be thoroughly normal. Transsexuals, transgendered people, and... a blossoming organization of intersexuals all have formed social movements to include diverse sexual beings under the umbrella or normality.”
Even though this was in the first half of the chapter where Fausto-Sterling talked about the implications of trying to analyze the history of sexuality, the above passage brings a separate issue to the table: the ramifications of establishing a certain characteristic as “normal.” Once one trait is classified as “normal,” all differing traits become “abnormal” and undesirable in the general public’s eye, suggesting that the process of “normalizing” a characteristic inherently leads to inequality in society. Consequently, it seems that the only way to achieve a truly equal society is to abolish the entire “normalization” process.
Although I like how Fausto-Sterling’s subtle methods of constructing her arguments and hinting at bigger issues, I’m not too fond of the massive amount of footnotes she uses. The footnotes do serve as a major source of legitimation for the main text, however, I feel like they also distract from Fausto-Sterling’s otherwise fluid intervention. I’m probably in the minority of the class with this opinion, but I thought I’d put it out there.
Anyways, I’m glad Fausto-Sterling proved my first impressions of Sexing the Body wrong and I look forward to continue reading the book.
Hi Julian, I was also very much skeptical of this book. My experience with feminism has not been pleasant either; it reminded me of nothing but a band of angry, arrogant women over on the West Bank of campus. Nonetheless, I understand their choice of tone. Transgender identity is not considered “normal” by society. As a consequence, their forceful and defensive voice is an attempt to conceal their fear of rejection and alienation. As their identity is largely repressed by society, transgender minorities must feel that the only way to exert some presence is through outspoken authority.
ReplyDeleteThis is why I was more impressed with Anne Fausto-Sterling’s narrative. Despite her fears of being rejected; the anger and resentment she must have built up inside, she manages to exert a calm but nonetheless wholly authoritative tone. She expertly balances nature and nurture. Her detailed mechanisms of genetics does not discourage the role of cultural and emotional influences; they are presented keep each other from falling off one side of the balance beam. Being a scientist, the type of authority that I am used to is one of definitive, assertive answers. However, reading Fausto-Sterling lends me the insight that authority does not demand certainty.
For that matter, MY 'experience of feminism' hasn't always been that positive, and I think maybe I am one. I wish it hadn't gotten all reduced to what Jeehye describes as that angry, separatist 'men-are-bums' kind. And it's an interesting question how that happened.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to think Rush and his 'feminazis,' of course. And he has his fat little fingers in there......