Class Reflection

Firstly I would like to say this class was like no other I have ever taken. I admit it was not exactly what I thought it would be at the beginning of the semester however I learned a lot about a subject I honestly didn't know much about. I enjoyed the setup of the class in which I was able to sit back and listen to others on the subject matter in which each voice built on one another instead of being forced to voice my opinion on a matter I didn't really have enough of a knowledge base to form an opinion about.  On the other hand there were other times when I really did want to talk but by the time I was up we were on a completely different subject due to some of the tangents we would go on. In the end this was just a minor problem, the pros of the class setup significantly outweighed the cons. I definitely enjoyed the class and hope that I get the chance to take a class similar to it in the rest of my time at Fredonia.

John Plevel

Tattoos

In general before this weeks class when I thought of Tattoos I mostly imagined the hard nosed tough guy in prison whose got 10 or more of them, this is even though I myself have thought about getting one and many of my friends have 1 or 2. I don't know why, I have just always associated the word with people who some would say have overdone the body modification of it. When we broke into groups and saw the different versions of the blond girl my group called "Brandy" we really saw how different tattoos can represent different things and how tattoos can really change your judgment of people. I believe this is completely unfair, in my personal experience I had a teacher in high school who always wore long sleeve shirts even in the hot June summer times because he had arm tattoos he couldn't show while teaching. While we must work hard to improve the social perception of tattoos, those with them must understand that some may not understand their expression the same way they do.

class reflection

I really enjoyed this class. The topics that we covered were interesting. When I signed up for the class, this is not what I expected at all. I was thinking it was a history based class but enjoyed it anyways. I like how Jeff set up the classroom with the circle every class so that we could talk to each other. The amount of readings were a little much, especially combined with my other classes. Some were very relevant that we discussed in class but some were a little far fetched to relate. I loved the guest speakers, especially Meghan, she was so fun and interesting to hear her story. Overall, it was a good class. I learned a lot and would defiantly take another class with Jeff in the future.

Class Reflection!

When I signed up for this class I was expecting it to be my least favorite class. The description of the class didn't really get me excited about taking the class. When Jeff first told us what the class was really going to be about I still wasn't too  sure if I was going to like it. With that being said I would like to say that it was my favorite class I took this semester. I am so happy I signed up for it. I do agree with Jordan when he said that the course should be renamed with a new description for it. Once that is done I think that more people might take it. Originally the only reason I signed up for it was because it counted for my major and fit into my schedule. I think that this is the type of class that many people would like to take this class, and that they should because of all the different information that we covered. 


I really liked the way that this class was discussion based. I feel like that I learned way more than I normally would have if it was just a lecture based class. Being able to hear different viewpoints and opinions on the topics gave me a better insight on the subject matter. When there was a topic that I wasn't quite sure where I stood on it, hearing what other people thought about it helped me form my own thoughts. I really liked that our class was able to share our thoughts without fear of being judged or being wrong. I don't know if it was the individuals in our class that made it that way or something else, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Most classes where discussion is involved, it seems awkward and forced. This class was not, which was very refreshing. The material we talked about was eye opening to me in some cases. Other cases it made me really think about things that I never really gave a second thought as to how it affected me or society in general. The only thing that I would change is some of the work load. The discussion questions were great because they really made me think critically about the readings (which I also really enjoyed). I think that if all the papers (event paper, book review, and scholar activism project) are going to stay, they should be shorter. At least the event paper and book review should be shortened. I do understand the reason behind them being assigned and think that they are a good idea. However I do have tons of other papers, projects, and readings for other classes. The longer papers in this class added to my stress at times. 


I want to thank Jeff for making this class what it is and helping facilitate our discussions. I wish that I had more time left in my time here in Fredonia to take more classes with Jeff. I liked that he brought in the guest speakers to help us connect to our learning. I especially liked Meghan Tonjes. I was really inspired by her Project Life Size project. I am glad she sang for us, I listen to her music all the time now. I also want to thank everyone in the class for making this class as great as it was. I am kind of sad that it is coming to an end. I am glad that I could be part of such a great class.

Birth Rape?

This topic is a bit late in our discussion of women and childbirth but I just found this article on Yahoo and thought it would pertain to all that we have talked about. It is about a woman who was operated on (c-section) without her permission. This makes me so mad and I am sure it will anger you all as well. I am not sure what legal action was taken against the hospital and doctors who did it but I am sure that the woman and her husband did take action.


Click here for the Yahoo Article


Click here for the woman's original blog post

Reflection

This class has been an eye-opening experience.  The readings have been enriching to the point of enlightenment and represent everything that a college course should be.  We were tasked with reviewing material and formulating our own opinions.  As such, we were treated as adults who were capable of comprehending complex ideals and creating judgments based on them.  As if that wasn't enough, there was a genuine goal with the classroom discussions as well.  Discussing material in a group setting that is rational and calm is a very effective way to see both sides of an issue.  Unlike Jeff's section of 359, these classroom discussions didn't get as heated.  This could be due to the makeup of the classroom or the subject matter, but it was very enjoyable.  (BTW: That is not to say that heated classroom discussion wasn't fun or educational...it's my favorite).  The assigned readings were perfect for the topics and I think if the title of the course was changed a little bit (i.e. History of Medical Authority, Scientific Authority, etc.) more people would take it.  The current title conveys the idea that the course is focusing on governmental or military authority.  Many don't even take the time to read the course description.

The reading material was perfect because they presented relevant examples of everything that we were talking about.  All of the topics that we discussed in class were real-world examples, the speakers were first rate, and Megan Tonjes is the new love of my life.  This makes the class "hit home" a little more than basic lecture, study, test platforms.  Overall, I would say that all of this needs to stay exactly the same.  Perfection doesn't even begin to describe the way in which this classroom was taught.  As an education major, much of the focus is on Bloom's taxonomy.  This format mandated that we synthesize higher order questions and think at a level that might be outside of our comfort zone.  Regardless, we learned.

Reflection

I learned a lot in this class.  I liked how Jeff brought in the speakers class discussion was always interesting and engaging.  I also liked how he used different medium to engage the class.

What I did not like about the class was that nothing had a definite answer to it.  I like discussing the "grey area" but on some topics, I was interested in finding out a definite answer.  I also don't think that an event paper, book review and this scholar activism project is realistic. I take 22 credits, work 2 jobs and run three clubs finding the time to fit this all in with other projects that pertain to my actual major was difficult and sometimes I had to choose what assignment to do. 

Overall, I really did like this course and if the workload was adjusted, I would have been less stressed out about it.

Leslie Walter

Class Reflection

I have to say that when I first signed up for this class, I expected another boring, content filled history class but this has been anything but.  With the theme of the class being revolved around social deviancy and the medicalization of race and sexuality, it is always an interesting topic with different ethical issues.  I also enjoyed how the class is discussion based because I think that it is way easier to get involved and interested in the class readings when you talk about it with other classmates.  Also, there are numerous times that other students in the class brought up something about the readings that I completely missed or didn't understand and it helps a tremendous amount.  In addition, I think that it was fun to have a student lead discussion pretty much every class because it was interesting to see how they interpreted the readings and their opinions on the topics.  With that said, I have to say that my favorite class of the semester was the one with Meghan Tonjes because she was extremely talented and inspirational with her activist youtube channel. 

Body Modification

During class on Tuesday we discussed the gender differences that exist when choosing tattoos and the location on the body where you would put a tattoo.  Even though you don't necessarily associate gender differences in tattoo selection, there are definitely social norms when it comes to choosing where you put the tattoo on your body.  For example, there is the "tramp stamp" which is something females get on the lower back, right above the butt.  This would be only acceptable for a trashy girl to get and it is a known name that a tattoo in that location is called such a name as "tramp stamp".  In addition, it is much more common for men to get a tattoo around their bicep then a woman, and if a woman does, it is often seen as a sign of masculinity.  All in all, body modification and its many forms still often conform the gender roles as much as other social norms. 

Visibility of Radical Forms of Body Modification

One thing which has been really swirling about in my brain since our discussion body modification is the invisibility of certain radical forms of body modification practices as compared to those which are considered to be cultural appropriate body modification practices such as cosmetic surgery. Is this essentially a way to a conceal the deviant and market the norm? When radical forms of body modification are often displayed within public view they are often highlighted as primitive, taboo, freakish, and even inhibitor to one’s well-being. Often harnessing historical and contemporary perceptions and attitudes of radical forms of body modification. Furthermore, the significance of radical forms of body modification is diluted. For the stories and relevance behind the procedures are often removed, or the certain form of body modification is portrayed as less of resistant movement and more of a subcultural practice.Whereas, cosmetic surgery is treated as a normal, medical procedure, which can ultimately improve one’s well-being. Does the invisibility of the radical forms of body modification aid in their resistant purpose? Or should more radical forms of body modification be made more visible?

Angela B.

Final Reflection

This course has offered me a critical lens to examine and analyze different historical and contemporary events, and explore the way in which science, society, and authority become interwoven, influencing one another in dramatic and sometimes detrimental ways. Furthermore, I have been able to apply the course material beyond the classroom to my everyday life. For I constantly find myself thinking of  a new question which applies to the course or recognizing something which relates to a topic covered in class. It has also help to inform my efforts of understanding a variety of different areas such as women’s reproductive health, disability, and body modification. Also, the information I've gained I have been able to use and apply to a variety of other courses and course work, including my Psychology independent study and Women's Studies capstone project which seeks to examine the stigma of menstruation. I feel that the knowledge which I have gained from this course will continue to have a profound impact on my life, and the way in which I view society, medicine, deviancy. With new knowledge gained from this course, I am able to make more conscious decisions regarding not only my healthy, but has inspired me to offer alternatives and information to others. Also, I must mention that the atmosphere of the class truly allowed for discussion and thoughts to flourish in a respectful and educating manner which I greatly appreciated. History of Authority was truly one of my favorite courses I've had the privilege of attending, and will continue to carry the knowledge which I've gained with me throughout my life and career.

Angela B.

Final thoughts

This class was by far my favorite class this semester, and one of my favorite in the four years that I've been here at Fredonia. All of the topics were so fascinating! I really learned a lot. One of my favorite parts of the class was the great discussion that we always had. I'm really glad that there were so many students with different majors and with different hobbies and lifestyles because it added so much to the class. With all the different topics we covered, from race to disabilities to sexuality and everything in between, there was something that everyone could relate to and that everyone knew something about. There was also something that everyone had never learned about before, and we all had the opportunity to be educated on various subjects. In the beginning of the semester, I admit that I wondered a few times how the lessons we were learning would be relevant to my life or my future career and how I could use them. I realize now that learning about deviance and normalcy and being aware of the medical community's role in forming those idea throughout history can be very relative to today's world and many different fields. As a school/youth counselor, I'm guaranteed to come across various individuals that fit into one or more of the categories of "deviance" that we've discussed. Taking what I've learned from this class will help me help them through struggles they may be having with their identity or with being judged by other people, and I can help them realize that they're not deviant or abnormal and that there's a great history that's relative to their situation.

The most important thing I'm taking from this class is what I've learned about other people and about myself. I never would have given most of these issues a second thought if I hadn't been forced to learn about them and really think about how I felt. Now, I can have a more educated opinion on issues that will certainly come up in my future and I have a little more experience discussing them with my peers. Thanks to all the other students in the class; you made it so much fun for me, and I really hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did! And thanks, of course, to Jeff. Your class rocks, and I'm really glad that more students will have the opportunity to take it next semester.

Sarah Bradley

Tattoo Perception

I think that many people today still judge people that have tattoos. People say that they are becoming more widely accepted, but I think they really mean that tasteful and a limited amount of tattoos are accepted. Those who have multiple visible tattoos or entire sleeves are judged for it. Many make assumptions about that person before even getting to know them. I agree with Erin's post where she said that "all of who we are is just little pieces put together." I myself don't have any tattoos yet but I don't want to be judged for what I decided to do to my body. While some people may get meaningless tattoos, numerous others have a reason for getting their tattoo. Their tattoo is a sign of strength or in remberence of someone for them. They don't need to be judged for their decisions to get a tattoo. Unfortunately our society is too quick to judge one another.  

Body modification

When I used to think of body modification, I always thought of tattoos and piercings. It never occurred to me that cosmetic surgery, bodybuilding (or working out in general), and even tanning can also be considered body modification. I find it interesting that a lot of people judge someone that they might see who has had plastic surgery or who has a lot of tattoos or piercings, but they themselves could also be modifying their body in an unnatural way. Our bodies are just that--OURS. Everyone has the right to do whatever they want to their own body regardless of what other people may think about it. I found Angela's activity in class on Thursday really eye-opening because it proves how quick we can be to judge someone based strictly on their appearance, and how wrong we can  often be. And as long as someone understands the risks that they may encounter when changing their body in a drastic way, I don't think anyone should tell them it's wrong if it will really make them happy.

Sarah Bradley

Final Thoughts

Before this class, I had a very uncomfortable relationship with my doctor. Every time I had to go visit him I dreaded it. The entire time I was there I was sweating bullets in that thin paper gown. My doctor never really listened to me. If I complained about anything he was very dismissive, almost as if he didn't care or trust me. In all honesty, I thought that everyone had a relationship like this with their doctor, and thought that I was just going to have to get used to it. But taking this class made me realize the very complicated relationship between doctor and patient. It also made me realize that my relationship between my doctor wasn't supposed to be that way. Needless to say, I ended up switching doctors, and I am much happier! I really enjoyed the class. History of Authority took and alternative perspective on oppressions in our society that I never really thought of before. The class room environment was wonderful. Thank you everyone for creating a safe atmosphere where I could talk freely without being judged. I don't feel like I can do that in many other classes. Thank you Jeff for always putting 200% into your students and your teaching. I am glad I got to take this class my last semester.

I’m really glad I took this class this semester.  I was able to learn a lot of useful and interesting information that has brought me to question aspects of society that I had not considered.  I was most intrigued by the medicalization of women in the gynecological field, and in the medicalization of pregnancies.  Before these issues were discussed, I feel I hadn’t even thought twice about what steps to take when having a baby.  Although I was aware of different birthing methods, for some reason I just assumed you go to the doctor and the doctors take care of all of the decision making.  I think this is the idea that media and society encourages, probably to keep the medical field in higher authority than the common person.  I feel the medical field in some ways desires to make society feel ignorant, and as if they absolutely need the help of doctors and should always trust a doctors judgment.  So, I'm very glad I got to take this class to broaden my judgement and knowledge of the many injustices society can normalize.  Thanks Jeff & class! It was a great semester.
-Allison B

I really liked Angela’s activity for class yesterday; we could see how our attributions about the girl’s personality and life-style changed, depending on her tattoos.  Although we discussed how the story behind a person’s tattoo could alter our perception of the ink, our society enforces judgment based on appearance.  Our group assumes the heavily tattooed girl wouldn’t be in a traditional profession, and sadly that’s probably correct.  Employers make a lot of personality and work ethic judgments based on a prospect’s appearance.  Josh even told us how his tattoo could have affected his military career, I wonder if the strong stigma correlates with the prevalence of tattoos in prisons and gangs.  Does simply having a tattoo in our society, regardless of the meaning, make you a larger liability of violence and criminal behavior?

-Allison B

Tattoos & Body Modification Questions

I loved being able to present on body modification and tattoos yesterday, and I hope you enjoyed the activity. I thought it might be an interactive and interesting way in exploring the way in which we may make assumptions about one's character and behaviors depending on the amount, type, and placement of tattoos. So, thanks for your participation! However, I was unable to get to all my questions, so I thought I might share a few in case some of you are perhaps looking for something to write about for your one blog post or maybe didn't get a chance in class to share your thoughts.

1. Consider the way in which tattoos and other forms of body modification often mark one as "primitive" or "freak." Has the view of certain body modification evolved from this perception and attitude, or are individuals who practice certain forms of body modification still marked as "primitive" and essentially deviant?

2. Kat Von D and her television show often features women tattooists and clients. Does her show provide a false sense of equality or that anyone can do it? Is it another form of freak shows? Does it "dilute the significance," (273) of body modification practices?

3. Are tattooing and radical body modification practices an appropriate form of resistance? Are tattooed women transgressing the gender norms?

4. Some of the radical forms of body modification procedures have a spiritual aspect to them, (274). Are certain body modification procedures such as cosmetic surgery considered more appropriate and acceptable because they are situated within a medical realm?

Thanks again!
Angela B.

Final comments

This class should be considered for inclusion in the African American studies program.  The bias toward the poor African American victim has made this class, in my opinion, less informative than it could have been.  There are other victims of the establishment, perhaps their victimization has not been as well documented and therefore would be more difficult to introduce to the students, but this bias prevents a balanced view of how authority is used and applied to the less fortunate.  Other than this shortcoming the class was informative and interesting and provided an alternative view on the world as we know it.

Joyce Abbott

Tattoos

Today in class we discussed tattoos and the stereotypes behind them. Where you place a tattoo can say a lot about what kind of person. People are going to judge not only the placement but the tattoo itself. Looking at someone's tattoos you can not know the story behind it or the significance. I think that this is why they are received so negatively. I loved Angela's activity with the girl and the different amounts of tattoos, it really put in perspective how we could come up with a whole back story just based on her appearance, which happens everyday when you look at someone. I found a picture that I though was humorous, charting the meaning of tattoo placement that is usually assumed. Check it out! 
http://www.cracked.com/funny-298-tattoos/  

Classs Evaluation

I have definitely been enlightened on a lot of things as a result of this class. I already knew quite a bit about the issues that women face, but this class did help shed a little more light on things. But through this class I was able to learn more about other populations and issues that I was previously unaware of. So thank you Jeff and the rest of the class!

Erin Pattridge

Body Modification

Almost all of us participate in modifying our body in one way or another. Whether it be piercings, tattoos, etc., we all have our willing "scars" to show. I don't think people should be judged for this. All of who we are is just little pieces put together. You cannot judge one part of a person and assume it to be the whole truth of someone. I think we live in a world that it very harsh and our particular society is even harsher. If we value diversity so much, let's prove it. We all judge others, but it doesn't have to be so condescending. So let's instead view each person as different and having their own story, and not compare them to others because it is impossible and unfair. 

Erin Pattridge

the class as a whole

The class as a whole I felt was very interesting I learned alot of things that I did not know before and it opened my eyes up alot. The one subject that we didnt really cover was intersexuality, which I am actually using for my last project so I did get to learn about it. I think it would be an interesting subject to cover more in this class because it deals with what we learned about all semester of who has authority over your body. In the beginning of this semester we were asked to write down what we thought was authority and I wrote that it was something that is legal. Its people who have the power to tell other people what they can and cannot do. Authority also protects people like police or the government. It can also be other people like adults or teachers. I now see that that is not just what authority is. Through all the articles most of them posed the question of who had authority over your own body and now I see that authority is more then just the law it also deals with other things as well. In the medical world I learned that there is a constant struggle between doctors and their patients over who controls their bodie. I have also learned that while majority of these doctors were wrong in what they did it was something that was needed in order to be where we are today in the medical feild. I would have to say that my favorite part of this semester was reading the book about Henreitta Lacks and seeing what her and her family went through because of the struggle of who was allowed to have control over her cells. I would say all in all this whole course was interesting I learned many things that have opened my eyes up today that I probably wouldnt have learned had I not taken this course.

Body Modification

This week the readings for class dealt with body modifications. This has alot to do with today's world because it is something that occurs everyday and is becoming more prevalent in our society. People are constantly modifying their bodies to look how society tells us we should look. During one of the presentations the question was posed if we felt men define things like intelligence and beauty. I feel like men have a huge impact to defining beauty because women change their bodies to please men so we look like how they think we should. Today the body modifications that we spoke about in class was tattooing. We were given a picture of a women and we had to describe her. It was interesting to see how people compared her in a picture with tattoos compared to one without. I realized before this class that women were percieved differently when have body modifications but i didnt realize how bad it was. When she had tattoos she was looked at as being a "bad girl" compared to not being one when she didnt have tattoos. To me this is kind of ridiculous to judge someone on their apperance because I have two tattoos myself but they both have meaning behind them and im not the "bad girl" they were describing i am actually going to school to become a lawyer.

Body Mofidifcation

Female Body Builders, attractive or lacking femininity?

When I see a female body builder on the television or in person, I am not going to lie I am a little freaked out by it.  But even when I see a male body builder, I am freaked out.  These people are pushing their bodies to the extreme in a good and bad way.  When a person puts steroids into their body they are permanently damaging and/or creating an unneeded addiction.  Why does your body need to be that toned and "ripped"?  Is that really necessary? I do not think so.

A bunch of my friends back home participate in body building and they invited me to a competition.  I felt as though I was in another world of extreme fitness and protein.  The first thing I though of was the youtube video, "My New Haircut" where a gentleman mocks the Italian heritage and tries to pretend as though he is a body builder. 

I do not know how I feel about body building because it is a good way to stay healthy if it is done in modification and not to either extreme.

Leslie Walter

Modern Day Barbie?

In class we discussed body modification through plastic surgery.  This was a very interesting discussion because what is considered deviant under this topic.  Is too much plastic surgery deviant or is too little plastic surgery deviant?  I know personally, I will never go under the knife to get bigger breasts or a tummy tuck.  I find it very weird that people are obsessed with this area.  When I think of cosmetic surgery I think of Pamela Anderson and how unnatural she looks.  Yes, these people may seem more confident, but why would you want to put these risky objects into your body.  I have seen documentaries on television where plastic surgery has gone terribly wrong and people have gotten infections from it and been very sick, yet people still do it. 

I do believe it is an addiction because once you start, some people clearly can't stop.  There are a lot of different perspectives on this topic and debates as well.

Leslie Walter

Final Blog: Course Eval/Reflection

Although I thought the some of the readings were complex, I am happy that we were assigned them. Many of the articles have a very high fog factor or clarity index, which impedes effective communication, but it has allowed me to be a more effective reader. As the semester progressed, I found myself getting through the articles quicker and having to look up less-words. Although not a fan of Washington’s book—extremely biased, I thoroughly enjoyed skloot’s book. I even convinced my sister, who is in med school, to pick up the book.      Am a produced body? I don’t think so. According to Michel Foucault, I am a docile body. I admit that the Army has “broken me down” and “rearranged me”, but I do not think that I have become brainwashed. I entered the military knowing that I needed structure and direction. I still think the wars we are in are ridiculous, and unlike most soldiers who are conservative, I am one of the few liberals. A lot about being in the Army is either conforming or playing the game. But I get that the military as a whole is a form of “bio power”. For instance many soldiers—particularly active-duty soldiers—conform. They are an arm of the Pentagon; they represent the Department of Defense the way that the Department of Defense wants them to, both in deed and thought. Anyways my point is, is that I have always been aware of authority. I am also well aware of the norm or standard. What this class has allowed me to do is become more aware. I have a problem judging people. I was never quite popular in school, I have always been an outsider, an outcast, and have been called “weird” many times. So the very people that I loathed in high school, I absolutely cannot stand today. Ironically, I sometimes find myself conforming to the norm to be more accepted by these same people. As much as I hate the “biddies and bros”, I would love to have their “cool kid” persona. In the end though, I have tried to maintain my own identity, my own style, and my own tune that I dance to, and it has worked for me. But there are lots of people out there that are or feel like an outcast. And once in a while, I find myself judging these people, the part of me that wants to be a “bro”. This class has helped me to remember that individuality is a good trait to possess. Now when I see someone that is “weird” or “non-conformed” I try to think about something that I like about them; their shirt, shoes, hair, jewelry, eyes, glasses etc…instead of “why is that moron wearing that”. Eventually I would love to get to the point where I don’t judge at all, and have the fortitude to approach these people and tell them what I like about them. All in all, I know that one day I will achieve a high rank in the military, either as a commissioned officer or non-commissioned officer. I know that I will always face resistance; I do now, because I refuse to become an active member in the “good ole boy club”. My squad has more females than any other squad, and supposedly it is because I am the most sensitive; thus, the best one to lead females. And I don’t mind, they see through much of the bullshit that I do. What I do know though, that instead of conforming, and becoming “a sexist hard-ass”, I will attempt to be a leader that stands apart from the rest, simply because I will stand up for what is right and not what is “cool”…
Domalski

Male Plastic Surgery

I have to agree with Joyce when she said that it is common for men to undergo plastic surgery. I am sure that many male celebrities have had some procedures done to them. However, I don't see men going "over board" with the surgeries like we do with women. It is much easier for women to take it "too far". And I think the reason for that is because the ideal beauty for women is unobtainable. Though we see these perfect women in magazines, all of those women are photo shopped. However, some women believe they can achieve that beauty if they just have one more plastic surgery. But then, they go into a downward spiral because they realize one surgery is not enough, and suddenly they have taken it too far. I think it is more common for men to undergo plastic surgery that focuses more on their body. Men are constantly trying to achieve a certain body that they believe is attractive. The more muscles the better. And I am sure some men have used plastic surgery to achieve this look. In my opinion, I believe it is much easier for men to obtain this look then it is for women. Also, I think women believe they have to look a certain way in order to attract a partner.

"The Most Beautiful Face"

This was on Good Morning America the other day, so I thought I'd share this with the class since it's related to Tuesday's discussion: http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/britains-most-beautiful-face-reveals-beauty-secrets-141700731--abc-news-topstories.html

I think it is interesting how they scientifically measure someone's face, and criticize the "symmetry" that you do or do not have.

- Josh Steffen

Normal or Deviant: Class Thoughts

Taking this class made me think about what is "normal" and what is "deviant." Going along with my other post, it made me think about Cher and how she fought with television censors back in the 1970s. In her book The First Time, there is a chapter called "My First War With the Censors":

"On the Cher show I had not just one censor on my set, but two, a man and a woman. And I don't know where they came from, but they interpreted everything as being about sex. They were also constantly objecting to my dresses: either they were cut too low or revealed too much. And the censors made our editor do a wipe on it, so that everything just about disappeared in fogginess, even me. One time, I was in an amazing bias-cut gown. And the censor came over and said, 'She looks like a hooker.' It was all kind of silly, because the thing CBS wanted me on the air for was the very thing they weren't allowing me to do."

Back in the 1970s, Cher wearing "revealing" clothes or "showing skin" was considered deviant because she was challenging the norm, which was to stay covered up - today though, its nothing to us and no one would bat an eye lash.

In the late 1980s, Cher's outfit for the original "If I Could Turn Back Time" video (a fishnet body stocking under a very revealing black one-piece bathing suit) caused some controversy, and many television networks refused to show the video. In 1989 the MTV network banned the video and later played it only after 9 p.m. A "censored" video, including new scenes, and showing less explicitly sexual content than the previous original video was then made.  At the time, this was deviant, but once again,  this would not be such a big deal today.

- Josh Steffen

tattooing the world. - Class thoughts

Is it easier for the world to accept women with big breasts, fake noses and liposuctioned hips than it is to see a women tattooed. From job interviews, to check out lines, how others feel about your mothering abilities,  women that are tattooed are still sometimes looked down upon because they are seem as alternative to the norm.
what i thought about the class... what i now wish i didn't know!
- I learned a lot about the world in the last fifteen weeks of classes. I learned to seconded guess everyone and the reason why they are doing what they are doing. I learned how ashamed i should feel being a white, middle class women and how proud i should feel so many issues that we read about don't happen anymore. I learned to question doctors and everyone more than I answer the questions.
this class made me a constant questioner
-Sarah Fiorella

Reponse to Women and the Knife

I'm very much inclined to agree with Joyce on this, but I can't help but relate it back to an earlier point.  When we think of plastic surgery we almost exclusively think of women wanting to enhance their breasts.  This is, in fact, rarely the case.  Plastic surgery first came into existence primarily to help those disfigured by war.  Men were originally the recipients of plastic surgery.  To suggest, as I believe the article does, that women are the primary patients in plastic surgeries is very misleading.  Men often require plastic surgery, or desire it to look younger or more physically fit.  In many cases, their motives are the same as women's.  Why then, are women so vilified for undergoing cosmetic procedures?

Only women do it ??

“Women and the Knife” is a very biased article.  It implies that only women have plastic surgery, only women are so insecure that they must change themselves to conform to some male stereotype of beauty and acceptability.  What bull!  True, male plastic surgeons prey on the insecurities of women and gladly benefit from this practice, but all of their patients are not of the female persuasion.  Men do and in increasing numbers are subjects of plastic surgery.  The men are very careful to keep it quiet, they do not want to be seen as wimps or effeminate, after all only women get plastic surgery. 

Joyce Abbott

Cher's Cosmetic Surgery

Today in class we discussed cosmetic surgery and naturally Cher was mentioned. I have to agree with what Sarah said about this kind of surgery depending on the individual. I think Cher has changed the way she looked because she wasn't happy with it. She has said that she didn't like her nose and teeth. I also think that the amount of work she has had done has been exaggerated. What I know for sure is: breast reduction, nose job, teeth straightened, face lift, eye lift, and maybe some sort of implant to make her lips look bigger - anything else is probably just talk.

I have a lot of respect and admiration for Cher, and if she feels the need to have these things done, it is her business. I also think that she takes care of herself, so that helps with her appearance too. This is what she's said: "If I'd had as much plastic surgery as they [say], you know, like I've got ass implants and calf implants and cheek implants," she says. "I've had the same cheeks my entire life. No butt lifts. No ribs removed." "If I want to put my tits on my back, it's nobody's business but my own."

- Josh Steffen 

Popular Science and Henrietta Lacks

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-01/five-reasons-henrietta-lacks-most-important-woman-medical-history

Henrietta Lacks has been featured in "Popular Science" after the publication of the Skloot book.  Take a look at some of the comments and see if you can throw your two cents in.  I have a feeling those who posted on the wall didn't do as much research on the subject as we did!

Cake Discussion

On another note, I'm glad that the cake post facilitated some discussion.  It wasn't a very obscure article, either and I'm surprised that more people didn't pick it up.  The fact that it was so blatantly racist, sexist and just plain insensitive is extremely baffling to me.  The idea that a cake, one of the most glorious of God's creations, could be used in such a way by someone in a position of power, is to me at least, disgusting.  The terror of racial oppression that has occurred over the last five centuries is as horrific as it is misunderstood.  Creations such as this cake, which I understand was meant to showcase the insensitivity of an elected official, should still be frowned upon.  The gender aspect of it is indicative of how much more ground women have to cover, black women in particular.

Apology

I would like to apologize to anyone who was offended by my use of the word "cans" in reference to Pamela Anderson's breasts.  The point that I was trying to make is that her boobs were so incredibly large and incredibly fake that they transcended supplementation and became a mockery.  I feel like when people think of plastic surgery, the "go to" example is always Pamela Anderson.  Crass as it may have been, that is the point that I was trying to make.  I apologize again if my use of the word offended anyone.

Sexed Ink

Well I am not quite sure about the overall message of Victoria Pitts’s article, “Reclaiming the Female Body”; some of the sentence structuring was pretty tough to get through. But I think it’s about women using body modification to reject normalized beauty ideals, and to “reclaim their bodies”. However, I think I would have to agree with radical feminists in that tattooing and other forms of body modification are starting to be “equated with more mainstream cosmetic practices that are seen as objectifying” (277). When in Kuwait, our unit would receive many care packages from our families or random folks. We would all take what we wanted and then discard the remaining items and put them on a shelf for anyone to take. Some of these items were magazines and bunch of them were “Ink” related. What these "Ink" issues all had in common is that they weren’t any different from any other magazine: Good looking women in skimpy outfits. They made tattoos and other forms of body modification “sexy”.  What’s even more interesting is that when they show some dudes tattoo, who is def. not a model, it’s a simple picture of the tattoo. Even more mind boggling, is that most of the time, the tattoos on the female models are fake. They are purposely promoting tattoos by making them appealing; no different than when selling any other product. I have included a couple pictures from the magazine Bound by Ink. I have also included a picture of Avril Lavinge’s “fuck” tattoo. Does the tattoo make one think that Avril Lavinge is rejecting normalized beauty ideas? Or reclaiming her body? Or does she and Maxim Magazine make the tattoo sexy, and thus in a sense making Avril Lavinge into a sex object even more than she already is?
Domalski

Veiled Terrorism

During my first semester at Fredonia, I took a class called, Women Health and Society. One article that we read that I will always remember is, “Veiled Intentions”. It is about Muslim women that chose to veil (wear a headscarf). We have a stereotype, and so do other industrialized countries that the hijab is a symbol of terrorism. We also believe that the scarf is an oppressive tool and is forced on Muslim women by the men in Islamic culture. But it’s ironic that the same population that spends millions on beauty products, plastic surgery, and self-help guides is the same one that takes pity on veiled women for being helpless and oppressed. We learned that wearing a scarf removes being judged, of being assessed based on measurement, and absolves the need or desire to be wanted solely for looks. The scarf allows others to look at these women equally and not rank them on a scale. It allows people to relate to the women naturally and liked for who they are beyond the body. But most importantly, veiling makes it easier for women to get through the adolescent stages: deters self-loathing, body hang-ups and sexual harassment. I think that veiling could be one of the “politically correct feminist responses to cosmetic surgery”. I also think this method would be more effective and much better than mutilating oneself to be ugly.
Domalski

Washington vs. Skloot

Yes, there is a difference in how Washington's views  Henrietta's story vs. Skloot's interpretation of her story. Could it be that because Skloot is white she doesn't feel that Henrietta's story has so much to do with race than illegally taking cells. I don't know if Skloot has ever been discriminated against because of her race or even the fact that she is a women. Skloot might not feel that it was a race issue at all. Washington being an African American women might know it feels to be looked at by what color or race you are. everyone different and so are the perspectives they bring with them. This is a great example showing the difference is authors race and perspectives. I wonder how the story would have come out if a white male had told it.
-SARAH FIORELLA

Washington vs. Skloot

In reading both works about Henrietta, they had very different meanings. Skloot emphasizes how the cells were taken without her knowledge and her family was never informed. Washington, on the other hand, never mentions that they were taken without permission and only focuses on Henrietta's race to support her book. She also says that this happened to many people and Henrietta's case was one of many and had no importance. Skloot sees it very different. She focuses on Henrietta as a person and not just as another number who was treated badly by the medical community. 

Debate

The debate that we had about individual rights or the good of the society was very interesting. I think that this was a hard issue to argue about because there can be good on both sides, depending on their situation. Being forced to support one side or the other was challenging and I think it was good for us to do. It made us reevaluate the HeLa issue and the impact that it had on Henrietta's family. I feel like when we were doing it we could not argue just one side, but both sides kept running together, which proved it is a complicated subject. 

Response to Jim Crow Museum

I understand why some people were offended and put off by this museum. Jim Crow themed artifacts were very racist and relied heavily on stereotypes of African Americans. Many people bought them as forms of entertainment as well as for whatever the objects' function was. While these objects and artifacts are highly offensive I think that they are things to learn from. If you take the museum as any other, one that is showing pieces of history, I think that it is perfectly fine. If the museum was in some way promoting such ideals and objects then obviously that would not be alright. Strange as it sounds, many people don't even know that those types of objects even existed and that people actually used them in their homes. I think that the museum is a good way to show people this. It shows the way many people thought of African Americans for many years and even by some today. It is a good museum for teaching people about a part of history, as all should.

Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia

I just read this article about a new exhibit at Ferris State University in Michigan, and thought I would post the link so the class can take a look: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/morning-file/museum-displays-the-worst-of-jim-crow-632403/

After reading this, I started wondering, what would a museum with all the things we have discussed in class would look like? (outside of what is in the Mutter museum).

-Josh Steffen

sacrifice few to benefit the many

Jessica Haynes

Our debate in class on Thursday was very beneficial to class discussion.  The idea of the few being sacrificed to benefit the many has been a continuous theme in our classes.  To continue the discussion I think that it is not right to sacrifice the few.  We all have personal rights that should not be violated in anyway but it is a constant in our society.  I used the example about organ donors in class, to be an organ donor you have to give consent and that is something that will happen when you are dead.  In the case of Henrietta Lacks, she was not able to consent to the things that were done with her cells.  Today we have the IRB form in order to protect people but still, do we have more control over our body when we are dead compared to when we are alive?  I think that we should look at it like this, you go to a psychiatrist and there is an agreement of confidentiality, they won’t violate this or interfere unless the patient poses a threat to themselves or others.  In the case of our rights being violated with our bodies I think we always need to give consent of what happens.  In the extreme cases like a CDC quarantine to prevent the spreading of some sort of epidemic, I think we can look at it like this, they pose a threat to others so it is appropriate to quarantine them, but it should be done in a humane way. 

hope and artifice

The examples told in chapter 14 from Medical Apartheid along with all the other horror stories we have encountered over the semester have made me wonder - Is it better to not know these things, or deal with the reality? I decided to ask some of my friends what they thought about doctors in general and only received positive things. I know if I asked the same question to our class everyone would hesitate and tell me how they 'll never be able to look at their personal doctor the same way anymore. However, it is a good thing to question your doctor because they are too highly viewed for always telling the correct thing to do. 

Its fascinating to see the medical advancements humans are making each year including the examples of a machine heart and synthetic blood - scary but cool! What you never hear are the sacrifices that were made to get there. Its a shame that those who are being used tend to be underprivileged people, especially because they are paying for something they cannot afford.

Brian

Debate from class

I think that debate from class was interesting. Being on the chalkboard side I had a difficult time fully backing the idea that people should be sacrificed  for the many. I'm not sure where I stand on this issue. I think that sacrificing individual rights shouldn't be done, but at the same time progress needs to be made. Or even in the example John gave us, the CDC containing a town of people infected with SARS, would be beneficial to the public. If that wasn't done, who knows how many more people would have been infected. When it comes to the issue of cells and tissues, like Henrietta's case, I think that it leans more towards maintaining individual rights in my opinion. It seems like a violation to those rights to me when something of yours (cells, tissue, organs, etc.) is taken without your consent. Just because they don't plan on using what they took for research doesn't mean that they shouldn't tell you that it will be used. I think that they should get your consent. I understand the idea that once you leave the doctor's office you are in a sense "abandoning"  what you left behind and anyone is allowed to take it. It is the same thing with any garbage you put out, anyone can take it because you threw it away. I don't necessarily agree with this but that is how it is done.

Debate Last Class

I really liked the debate that we had last class, it was a great way to involve the entire class. I did notice however, how difficult it was for the chalkboard side to make their arguement. Many of the students said that they didn't agree with the the side they were arguing for. I feel like many of the students in our class agree that individuals rights are important, and that the few should not suffer for the benefit of the many. It seems almost like an obvious answer, right? No one should have to suffer for somebody else. But that is exactly what our country does, doesn't it? Not only in the medical field, but in other areas as well. For example, soldiers are supposed to put their lives on the line and fight for the freedom of others. Mothers are supposed to put their lives on the line to benefit their children. There are many examples of people who have sacrificed their lives for other individuals. But is this right? If a mother doesn't make sacrifices for her children she is viewed as a bad mother. I feel like our society needs to take a closer look at why we place such an emphasis on other people sacrificing their lives. And who are the ones that are being sacrificed.

Response to "Cake" Posts

I think this article that Jordan found is interesting, but I think Angela nailed it with what she said in her response. I agree that while this event was intended to create awareness about female circumcision, it has an inappropriateness about it as well. It seemed to me that the media saw this as a newsworthy story and photo opportunity, overshadowing the issue at hand, which was to bring attention to what happens to women in other parts of the world. As a public relations major, I have learned that if you are going to do something out of the ordinary (like this cake), you have to be careful about how the public is going to react, and have a plan ready if something goes wrong - it doesn't look like that was so in this case.

-Josh Steffen

Response to "A Village of Henriettas"

I believe that perhaps Deborah and the family expressed not being ready to see the cells and medical records because they were essentially left in the dark concerning medicine and science, the reality of her cells, and perhaps the concept of “immortal” cells in general. Furthermore, they may have felt that in seeing her cells they would ultimately be seeing a piece of Henrietta, and that seeing them may be like seeing Henrietta again. Another reason why the family may have expressed that they weren’t ready may be their faith. For science and Henrietta’s immortal cells challenge or disrupt their religious beliefs or prays. The Lacks were confronted by the fact that her cells being still alive may mean that Henrietta's spirit had been sent back to earth. Also, the Lacks may have been apprehensive in being involved with medicine, science, and a hospital due to the medical injustices against Henrietta and predominately black individuals. I can say personally I would feel rather uneasy if I were to possible see an “immortal” part of a lost loved one, especially something which was unethically obtained by the medical industry.

Angela B.

Response to "Vaginal Mutilation...In Cake Form!"

I am very offended and almost surprised that such an event occurred. I feel that there many issues surrounding the creation of a cake which was supposed to represent a black woman, yet was conveyed by an Afro-Se Afro-Swedish artist Makode Linde – who was blackfaced, let alone performing a clitoridectomy on the cake as an attempt to bring awareness to the global practice of female circumcision. This cake symbolizes the notion that genital mutilation is a “primitive” practice, which is more commonly performed by black individuals. The creation and actions of the individuals involved further supports the notion of an “us” vs. “them” mentality. For Westerners are depicted as having overcome inequality, as being more innovated, and having the authority to “help” the less unfortunate individuals affected by the practice of female circumcision. However, within western society genitalia mutilation occurs, yet is centered within a medical realm as a cosmetic-surgery procedure. Furthermore, the fact that this cake was presented during an event and did not create a sobering or awakening effect, but rather elicited a response of laughter and photo-taking, suggests that there exists a sort of entertaining element to the cake, just as freak shows and photos served previously in history. I don’t agree with the supporters of this event and act that this “artistic” attempt to address a global practice of female circumcision was simply that, a way of shedding light on an issue or sparking discussion surrounding the topic. Much rather, I feel that this was a racist and inappropriate way to addressing the practice of female circumcision. It only further instills the notion that this is an “others” problem, and negates to acknowledge larger socioeconomic, political and historical involvement.

Angela B.

Few for the Many?

Today in class, we had a very serious discussion on whether the few should be sacrificed for the many.  The class was divided into two groups.  Who who was for the majority and one who was for the minority.  I was placed on the majority side, which was a hard side to debate. 

I wanted to say that I do not agree the few being sacrificed for the many.  This is an unnecessary evil but, some people are sacrificed for the many.  Some not by choice. 

Under the Henrietta Lacks discussion, she did not have to be sacrificed for the many.  But if we did not have her cells, we would not be as advanced in the medical world as we are now.  If we did not have a lot of vaccinations we would not be as healthy as we are now.  I know many people are opposed to vaccines, but I know they have helped me in the long run. 

Leslie Walter

The Machine Age

For today's class we focused on chapter 14 in teh medical aparhied book. one of the questions asked in class today that i thought was very interesting was if we felt that giving consent and not being told everything about an experiment was worse or better then not giving consent at all and still haveing an experiment done to you. I feel like giving someone consent to examine you and not being told all the details about that experimentation is alot worse then not giving consent at all. while i still think that not giving consent and still having it be done to you is bad but giving someone consent is worse. the reason that i think this is because you are now allowing you to have someone cut you open or take anything out of your body and they will get away with it because you did consent. i feel like if doctors want something from your body they should have to disclose everything about what they are doing with it before someone consents to what they feel like is being done. there was also another question about using artificial blood. i think that unless it is an emergancy and someone needed blood right away that we should not be using artificial blood in people especially without their knowledge of this occuring because this is something that is still farily knew and we do not yet no the long term issues and complications that could occur from using this kind of blood.

Debate reflections

Today, Brian brought up the fact that this class has only highlighted the dark side of medicine and hasn't shown many positive benefits directly resulting experiments, if there are any.  Considering this lack of information to work with, did anyone feel the side defending sacrifice for society had the more difficult task?  This is something I overlooked.  Nonetheless, I hope those of you who would have preferred the other side learned something from being in a different pair of shoes.

Also, consider the fact that the idea of greater good or majority aren't just people living presently, but alludes to people living in the future.  The future won't necessary exist, but the present is a reality and there are real people who have to live with the consequences of medicine.

~ John

Vaginal Mutilation...In Cake Form!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/therootdc/post/swedish-minister-of-culture-in-hot-water-for-racist-cake/2012/04/19/gIQA1gzHTT_blog.html

I don't really know what to say about this, but this is absolutely messed up.  Anyone else find this unbelievably shocking?

The Machine Age

While reading "Medical Apartheid," I've been very appalled by some of the things that doctors have done to unsuspecting patients withou their consent. However, I was shocked to find out in "The Machine Age" that these things were still going on in the past decade. The experiments with the artificial heart really blew me away because I somehow thought that it was nearly impossible for doctors to take advantage of their patients like that. I figured there were enough laws and regulations in place by now to prevent things like that from happening on such a large scale.

However, I feel like more and more people in class are gaining a growing distrust for the medical community and their own doctors. I don't think this is completely appropriate because the truth is, most doctors are not malicious and manipulative like the ones we've been reading about. I think the reason some of us have become so jaded is because we've only been focusing on the bad doctors. We should remember that there are still a lot of good ones out there who truly want to do everything they can to make their patients better and who would never take advantage of them.

Sarah Bradley

The MAchine Age

I was thoroughly disgusted while reading this chapter. I have lost an incredible amount of respect for those claiming to help improve and save the lives of others. I don't even understand how the makers of the artificial heart would think that the FDA would approve of them putting these artificial hearts into unconscious, healthy patients that didn't even need their heart replaced and on top of that, without them knowing. And to know that another doctor put his patients into a comma on purpose and then proceeded to sexual abuse the women he did this to. This chapter would make anybody think twice about going to see a doctor for surgery or any other serious problem and putting your life in their hands. Its just absurd to think about!

Erin Pattridge

Henrietta Part III

I really do think that people have a right to privacy and to know what is being done with all of their tissues. It shouldn't matter if the patient is having surgery to remove an organ or just having their blood drawn. It is still part of their body. Yes, they knowingly gave it up and assumed that these tissues and blood wold be disposed of after they were irrelevant to the patient's diagnosis. I think if researchers plan to use any part of a patient, they need to inform the patient of what more is to be done with their tissues and more importantly, researchers need to take every measure to make sure that these patients understand exactly whats happening. That was part of the problem with Henrietta's family. When her husband and children inquired about her records and cells, they were not able to understand what was happening and what was being done.

Erin Pattridge

Discussion from 4/17/12

During this class we discussed Part 3 of the Henrietta Lacks book.  In this discussion we talked about how Henrietta should be remembered and if her family should be compensated and if so how.

This discussion got pretty heated and some people thought that her family should be given health care and that brings the questions of should the United States have universal health care.  We also talked in class about how this happened to a lot of other people.  It Brings up the issue that the other family's should be compensated. 

Personally, I think Henrietta's family should be compensated for the selling of her cells and they should be given a chunck of the profits since her cells are still alive today.  This would bother me if I was her family.  I would ask to have the money adjusted for today's economy and be compensated that way. 

Leslie Walter

Immortal Cells

For today's class we talked about the third part of the Henrietta Lacks book. This part of the book kind of made me very angery with the way that the family was being treated with people acting like they wanted to help but they were really looking out for themselves. It made me even more mad when their cousin also was trying to use them to get money and information about their mother. This is all relevant in today's world because people still do this today. People who are not as well off as other people will get used by them in order to better themselves and the people on teh bottom will be left no better off then they were in the beginning. I think that major concern in this part of the book dealt with the fact of who the cells belonged to. while the courts made a ruling that doctors can keep any part of you that was left behind i think that this is wrong. if a doctor or a scientist wants to use a part of you whether you are dead or alive to consuct research then they should have to get permission from you if you are alive or from you family members if you are dead. i also feel like the Lacks family deserved better treatment then they did considering noone was ever asked if they can have the cells. when it comes to using people's cells the researchers should have to disclose everything that they want to do with them and not just tell people what they want to hear to get them to cooperate. i feel like this may still happen today with doctors that are unethical but i feel like with their being laws about having consent forms it is occuring less and less. in a way Henrietta Lacks paved the way to a more ethical medical feild and without her or her kids we wouldnt be where we are today medically.

Henrietta Lacks: Washington's Medical Apartheid vs. Skloot

As I was reading the chapter in Medical Apartheid where Washington mentions Lacks, I was surprised she only really talked about her in five sentences - I thought to myself, that's it? I feel as though there could have been an entire section in that chapter devoted to Henrietta alone. This makes me appreciate Skloot's book on Lacks even more - what happened to Henrietta is a story that needs to be told, and luckily Skloot was compelled enough to write a book so other people could learn about it after she had been so fascinated herself. I wish Washington had spent more time discussing Lacks in her book so we could really see the differences between how the two authors think about this controversial topic.

- Josh Steffen

The new fingerprint

DNA is the latest tool used to convict or free the accused but this is just a tool and if improperly used it is less than worthless.  I found the authors naiveté about the acceptance of this process to be amusing, apparently she never read the articles that appeared when the developers of fingerprinting were trying to get this process accepted by law enforcement and the courts. 

Joyce Abbott

Compensation?

One of the things we brought up in our discussion during class was should Johns Hopkins give some sort of compensation to the Lacks family for what happened to Henrietta. The entire time the only thing I could think about was how that hospital was full of selfless jerks that couldn't take a small portion of the millions they make each year to donate to the family. But what I didn't think about was - could they even if they wanted too? In Skloots book and interview she says that the taking of cells for biopsy was a common thing that didn't need consent, so would they feel obligated to give everyone else money too? Im sure by not donating money they are avoiding the negative attention and poor image of having "immoral doctors" working at Johns Hopkins Hospital today- which I should note is one of the best hospitals in the country.

Brian G 

Henrietta Lacks

When reading the Immortally section of the Henrietta Lacks book, I kept wondering if Deborah finding out about her mother and sister was actually beneficial to her, and if it in some way gave Deborah piece. As we can see in the book, the more Deborah found out about her mother and her sister, the more it took a physical toll on her. Though Deborah was curious about what happened to her mother and her sister, maybe ignorance is bliss, and she would have been better off not knowing. Could finding out about what happened to her family members only effect Deborah in a negative way? Also Deborah never got to see the publication of the book, and how well it succeeded. It might have helped bring Deborah piece of mind knowing that the story about her mother was finally out in the public. However, in the book it stated that Deborah had passed away with a smile on her face. I was wondering what other people thought of this. Did you think finding out about her family truly brought Deborah piece?

HeLa 3

I was worried when we were assigned this book. Some of the medical articles that we have been reading take as long as a book to read, so when I saw that we only had three class days to read Skloot’s book, I wasn’t lacking any anxiety. But since Skloot made her book a story, it went by very quick. Not only was skloot’s book a quick read, it was accessible. In Rebecca’s acknowledgments, she mentions an individual named Lee that helped her to “care deeply” about story structure (340).  I think anyone else that found this read understandable, and hard to put down, owes some thanks to Lee. I also like how Skloot leaves any personal bias out of it. It is hard to determine where Skloot stands on the issue of if a patient has a right to their tissues or specimens taken from their bodies. It is also difficult to determine if Skloot thinks a patient should receive any profits made from their contributions to science. I have not read Washington’s chapter on HeLa, but I can already guess that it’s very biased. I imagine Washington thinks the Lacks were wronged and deserve compensation more than anything else. If I were to read a biology book and it mentioned Henrietta Lacks or the HeLa cell line, I would probably forget the name and cell line as soon as I set the book down. But after reading Skloot’s interpretation, I doubt I will ever forget who Henrietta Lacks was and her contribution to Science. I am comfortable in my belief that that’s what Rebecca Skloot set out to do. Skloot’s book should be a model for any medical historian. Any medical topic can be tough to digest, as mentioned some of the articles we read for class were brutal. Some were long and/or complex and; therefore, inaccessible. Other articles and Skloot’s book differed; they offered a story and intertwined it with science and medicine. In return, I walked away with not only knowledge, but a meaning behind that knowledge.

Domalski

A Village of Henriettas

In Chapter 29, a couple things that Henrietta's daughter Deborah said in the book have stuck out for me. She says, “I do want to go see them cells, but I’m not ready yet.” Also, when Skloot goes for Henrietta's medical records Deborah says, “We ain’t ready for that!" What do you think is the significance or meaning behind what Deborah is saying? Why do you think she wasn't ready?

- Josh Steffen

The root of all evil.

Money in and of itself does not corrupt people.  It is the context of economic system in which money is scarce and hence hoarded at increasingly socially devastating costs.

I was intrigued to witness some classmates bringing up economics today and how corporations(including hospitals, drug companies, and food "manufacturers") owe profit to their shareholders before owing quality and safety to their customers.   Large corporations are always calculating "risk assessments" to see whether it would cost more to protect their customers/consumers up front or if the cost would be greater in legal defenses or settlements.  So, unfortunately it is in the best interest of the medical community to keep people sick or even make them sick so patients keep coming back for more and paying their dues.  Most of this may not even be on purpose, but rather the fact the that doctors are so crunched for time that they rarely question the standard treatments taken for granted or aren't up-to-date with studies surrounding new "medicines" drug companies target at them.

It is important to understand that the way these corporations practice business is not conspiratorial in any sense.  They're not inherently evil and out to get you, but rather they are perpetuating a tendency which is determined by the pressure of the economic system and psychological/cultural values rewarded by the system.

If you want to begin understanding economics as the cause of social injustice and inhumane behavior please set aside 5 hours this weekend and watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EewGMBOB4Gg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z9WVZddH9w&feature=player_embedded

~ John