But I'm a Cheerleader

This movie was a great representation of the "norms" of society. There is so much pressure put on people regarding their race, gender and sexual orientation. All these factors may lead to the way you identify yourself.

Within the movie, they used the colors blue and pink to divide the girls from the boys. Blue was associated with the boys while pink was designated to the girls. The activities that both genders had to participate in were based on the what society thinks was appropriate. The girls were to do the household chores like washing the dishes and cooking. The boys were to be nothing but masculine while chopping wood or fixing cars. These little elements are said to be what determines you being a girl or a boy.

The girl and boy are supposed to live happily ever after. The fact that within this movie, the teenagers were sent to a camp because they were built "wrong" adds to the stereotypes of society. They began to wonder what was wrong with them and who their true identity is.

Heteroglossia

After reading the assigned chapter for this week and researching the meaning of heteroglossia I can say that I am still unsure as to its definition. There are bits and pieces that I can put out on the table as to what its definition may involve.

Heteroglossia, (with the influence of Bakhtin), is the different discourses that establish an absolute authority. It involves the language and ideas that we use to identify ourselves. Heteroglossia includes the different ways in which we speak. Everyone pronounces their words differently based on their cultural background.

Routine

Last semester within my theories of communication class I completed an assignment that required I write about my morning routine. This time around, I have decided to write about my routine before I go to sleep. I usually change into my pajamas, take off any make-up I may have worn that day, brush my teeth and hoped into bed. If I am able to stay awake and watch some television, I do so.

Last night I decided to switch around the order of my routine a bit. First I brushed my teeth, then I changed into my pajamas, took off all the make-up I had on, sat at my desk and watched tv for a bit, then hoped into bed. Brushing my teeth before changing into my pajamas for some reason made me feel like my teeth were not clean at all. I had gotten so comfortable with myself and my nightly routine that one little element like switching the order of my routine made me feel less like myself.

Who Am I?

As stated in the Burkitt text: "Who am I? This must be one of the most frequently asked questions in the modern Western world. It seems that at key points in our lives we all address this question in one way or another. On the surface this is a deceptively easy question, because if there is one thing we ought to know it is our own self: who we are. Yet anyone who has tied to answer this question will know how difficult it is." (Burkitt 1)

I identify myself as a dancer and student. Thinking about this, I also began to realized that after I graduate, I will not be a student anymore. I began to think about other ways in which I view myself and began to think of being a bi-racial woman. When referring to what you are, it necessarily does not always need to be about what race you are. I believe it was in my theories class last semester that we briefly touched upon this topic. Your sense of self does not to be restricted to biology. You can associate yourself with a hobby or interest if you felt like it.