Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence
By: Adrienne Rich
I read this article but I didn't really understand it, it was very confusing to me but after reading everyone's blog I did understand it a little more and this is what I understood:
When I read the article what I understood about "compulsory heterosexuality" was that women are suppose to be straight (heterosexual) and not lesbian. That lesbian to the society is not right. After I read some of the blogs I understood that "compulsory heterosexuality" is that in our society that all of the women has to be heterosexual and not lesbian. I also understood that he thinks women are being forced into heterosexuality.
When I read the article what I understood about "Lesbian Existence" was that people in the world do not see lesbian existence as something positive or good for society. For example the quote below:
"The assumption that "most women are innately heterosexual" stands as a theoretical and political stumbling block for feminism. It remains a tenable assumption partly because lesbian existence has been written out of history or catalogued under disease, partly because it has been treated as exceptional rather than intrinsic, partly because to acknowledge that for women heterosexuality may not be a "preference" at all but something that has had to be imposed, managed, organized, propagandized, and maintained by force is an immense step to take if you consider yourself freely and "innately" heterosexual." pg.89
This explains how society sees lesbian existence as a "disease. Its sad to know that in this world not everyone can be free with there sexuality without being judged by others.
Hyperlink:
This songs I think is a great song that talks about how a women is going through something difficult and she is now fighting to change her life and ignoring comments from others. I think this song relates to this article because no matter of you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or straight you should fight for what's right and for your freedom.
Question:
I think this whole article was very judgmental. I don't agree with may things that Rich said. My question would be why is it that some people are always judging about lesbians, gays, and bisexual if no one is perfect? And who said that being straight is something normal?
When finding confusion while reading a text is not a bad thing. Confusion shows that we are thinking, trying to get inside the author's head to understand what they are thinking. Sometimes, we simply have to stop reading for a moment and then look at the text from another angle.
ReplyDeleteI was confused reading this article as well especially towards the end with the letter they wrote her and her response to the letter. But overall I think we both understood the meaning of Compulsory heterosexuality and lesbian existence.
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