In our last unit, we have read several stories and essays and with special attention to the theme of gender norms and the dynamics between men and women, whether it be “Girl†by Jamaica Kincaid or “How to date a Browngirl…†by Junot Diaz. Non-fiction pieces include: “Bro’s Before Ho’s: the Guy Code†by Michael Kimmel, and Devor's "Gender Blending." Another option to consider, though we have not watched it, is the TED Talk “How I Define Beauty†by Winnie Harlow.
Your assignment for this essay is to use this theme of gender norms as a focus for your analysis of two of the readings from this unit (one of which has to be a short story; the other should be non-fiction). What commentary or “message†about gender do the authors seem to be suggesting through their stories and essays? How do they encourage or influence you to think about gender norms and their impact? Which gender norms will you be focusing on?