Out Of The Past: Documentary Analysis

Throughout the past month, as a class we have several interesting discussions on different social justice topics. The topic of oppression in reference to Frye’s article, “Oppression” is a discussion that sparked the most interest to me. I have learned that the word “oppression” is a strong word that is often misused to the extent that it creates any situation of limitation or suffering no matter the cause or consequence is. When it is said that “men are also oppressed” it makes the word completely worthless. Men can definitely suffer as different groups such as their race, sexuality, or ethnicity, but not their gender. We also discussed the origin of the word “oppression” to help us further understand the concept. “Press” is the origin of the
word, for example, to press clothes or to press a button, or the printing press. It is used to mold, flatten, or reduce something. Also, pressing means to restrict or restrain in terms of its mobility or motion. In essence, women are generally oppressed because of their gender, regardless of race, class, sexuality, or ethnicity. Frye’s article also helped us realize that as women, we often experience the double bind, in which we are placed in situations with few options and it becomes difficult to win no matter what option we chose. For example, for younger women in particular, it’s not considered appropriate if they are sexually active nor sexually inactive. If they are active, then they are considered to have no morals or principals, a “whore.” They become a target for humiliating remarks from others. On the other hand, if they refrain from any sexual activity then they are pressurized to be involved in it and “let loose” or else they are considered to uptight or abnormal. Many people would also presume their sexuality. As women we caught in between different barriers and forces that are unavoidable. This discussion of oppression made me remember the situations I have seen in high school. I would always hear about rumors who were sexually involved and who weren’t and the common comments such as “he’s the man” or “she’s such a slut.” Yet, they were both equally engaged in the similar activity. Also, I would hear comments on how some girls would dress a certain way to showcase their sexual appeal and if they dressed in another way, they would be considered as careless to their appeal or “unfeminine.” There would always be opinions on how to dress and act as women. In class, we have also viewed an interesting documentary film, “Out of the Past.” It showcases the progress of the gay rights movement.
It provides an overview of the issues that has arisen in organizing the gay rights movement in a homophobic society. It shows that the gay straight alliance club was founded first by a high school girl in Utah, Kelly Peterson. She started this alliance to end the suffering and misery that gay and lesbian individuals faced in high school. This resulted in a huge controversy in which the school board members and state legislators were heavily involved. Peterson along with others constantly protested against the school board’s attempts to shut down the gay straight alliance club. This documentary also showed a strong connection between the gay rights movement and the black civil rights movement. The man who helped organized the march in Washington D.C. for Martin Luther King’s infamous speech was actually a gay person named Rustin. He had great talent in organizing the march and was quite impressive, yet it was unknown to most people. Essentially, this film restores the facades that were left out of our school textbooks. It helps us realize that history is often edited purposely, so that we are not informed of what has actually occurred in the
past.