Feminism In The business of Art: Interview with Mary Lou Aleskie By Ashaliegh Carrington
Why are you a Feminist?
Well you know, I believe everyone has a right to be who they are. I’d like to think being a feminist isn’t just about being a woman, but about being able to live the life that you have lived. I know in today’s society that may evoke a sense of fear and intimidation. The same people have the same fear.
What made you a feminist?
I grew up in a small urban town, sort of like the Bridgeport of New Jersey. My mom was a stay at home mom; she was the only person in my family to graduate from high school, so they didn’t think she had to get a college degree to wash clothes and do dishes. I loved my mother very much and loved her dedication to family very much, but at the same time I was watching Gloria Steinem demand equal pay and the civil rights movement unfold and I was watching people protest the Vietnam war. As I watched my mother, I knew there had to be a better way forward than to limit my options to doing what my mother was limited to doing, which was caring for her family which is important. My cousin Linda wanted more than anything to be a lawyer, but her mother, who was a bookkeeper, brought her to work one day and told her ‘You need to get some sense talked into you.’ Older male lawyers told her ‘Linda you need to watch this foolishness.’ if you went to college you had two choices, maybe three choices. You could be a nurse or a teacher, or a secretary, but you had no hope of being a lawyer because no one would take you seriously.
Do you think there is a color barrier in feminism?
You know I think there may be. In the 60s I watched Gloria Steinem align the civil rights movement with the feminist movement. I think there is a gap and I think that holds everyone back. I was reading something today about women in Silicon Valley. I think it will bring more people into the mix, but not women of color. The thing that keeps us apart is wealth and inequality more than race. Women who are looking to improve the women’s movement, who are watching their sisters, we need to fill in the economic gap and color gap and achievement gap of equality.
Do you think the government does anything for feminism good or bad?
Wow. That’s a very important question, especially since Donald Trump is likely to be the Republican nominee. There are some of us that think this assures us of the first female president. I’m not confident. When you have women standing around a candidate like Donald Trump focusing on the way they look and there are people in the Republican party who want to lower equal pay and have health rights limited, who don’t want to support women. It worries me. There is a congresswoman, Rosa DeLauro, who has been working on it her whole career. Here’s what I’m worried about--when Barack Obama was elected it was a golden age. We all thought things would get better, but as time went on he faced a lot of obstacles, mainly due to his race and the effects it had on his family. Our prejudices are more than can be solved by electing the first black president and if Hillary gets elected, then I fear the same thing will happen to her.
What would you tell a feminist reading this?
You have to believe in yourself first and foremost, and you have to continue to be inspired by the possibilities. Every time you feel you have it settled, know you're not done. In the time that I've been a professional, I've watched the advancement of feminism. I've watched women become CEOs. I've also been reminded that it's easier to be a stay-at-home mom. You've got to keep doing it; you've got to keep fighting.
Do you think this current generation will propel feminism or will slowly bring it down?
I think as long as your generation can believe that it can do better than mine, I believe it will do better. But if your generation gets to a place where it is comfortable, it will stop. I really think that many people in my generation did do what my father and mother wanted me to do--to marry someone with money and raise kids in the suburbs and that was enough; that's why i believe young people are supporting Bernie Sanders the way they are, so I think a certain amount of hardship propels you into action.
Why are you a Feminist?
Well you know, I believe everyone has a right to be who they are. I’d like to think being a feminist isn’t just about being a woman, but about being able to live the life that you have lived. I know in today’s society that may evoke a sense of fear and intimidation. The same people have the same fear.
What made you a feminist?
I grew up in a small urban town, sort of like the Bridgeport of New Jersey. My mom was a stay at home mom; she was the only person in my family to graduate from high school, so they didn’t think she had to get a college degree to wash clothes and do dishes. I loved my mother very much and loved her dedication to family very much, but at the same time I was watching Gloria Steinem demand equal pay and the civil rights movement unfold and I was watching people protest the Vietnam war. As I watched my mother, I knew there had to be a better way forward than to limit my options to doing what my mother was limited to doing, which was caring for her family which is important. My cousin Linda wanted more than anything to be a lawyer, but her mother, who was a bookkeeper, brought her to work one day and told her ‘You need to get some sense talked into you.’ Older male lawyers told her ‘Linda you need to watch this foolishness.’ if you went to college you had two choices, maybe three choices. You could be a nurse or a teacher, or a secretary, but you had no hope of being a lawyer because no one would take you seriously.
Do you think there is a color barrier in feminism?
You know I think there may be. In the 60s I watched Gloria Steinem align the civil rights movement with the feminist movement. I think there is a gap and I think that holds everyone back. I was reading something today about women in Silicon Valley. I think it will bring more people into the mix, but not women of color. The thing that keeps us apart is wealth and inequality more than race. Women who are looking to improve the women’s movement, who are watching their sisters, we need to fill in the economic gap and color gap and achievement gap of equality.
Do you think the government does anything for feminism good or bad?
Wow. That’s a very important question, especially since Donald Trump is likely to be the Republican nominee. There are some of us that think this assures us of the first female president. I’m not confident. When you have women standing around a candidate like Donald Trump focusing on the way they look and there are people in the Republican party who want to lower equal pay and have health rights limited, who don’t want to support women. It worries me. There is a congresswoman, Rosa DeLauro, who has been working on it her whole career. Here’s what I’m worried about--when Barack Obama was elected it was a golden age. We all thought things would get better, but as time went on he faced a lot of obstacles, mainly due to his race and the effects it had on his family. Our prejudices are more than can be solved by electing the first black president and if Hillary gets elected, then I fear the same thing will happen to her.
What would you tell a feminist reading this?
You have to believe in yourself first and foremost, and you have to continue to be inspired by the possibilities. Every time you feel you have it settled, know you're not done. In the time that I've been a professional, I've watched the advancement of feminism. I've watched women become CEOs. I've also been reminded that it's easier to be a stay-at-home mom. You've got to keep doing it; you've got to keep fighting.
Do you think this current generation will propel feminism or will slowly bring it down?
I think as long as your generation can believe that it can do better than mine, I believe it will do better. But if your generation gets to a place where it is comfortable, it will stop. I really think that many people in my generation did do what my father and mother wanted me to do--to marry someone with money and raise kids in the suburbs and that was enough; that's why i believe young people are supporting Bernie Sanders the way they are, so I think a certain amount of hardship propels you into action.
Testing the Borders of the Military
Interview with Naval Reservist Elizabeth Brenner by Taya McClease and Ashaliegh Carrington
Why did you join the military?
The main reason was because I needed a way to pay for college, honestly. Because college was expensive, and I didn’t feel like being in debt. So I joined for that reason, and also just the experience of traveling. That was probably the biggest reason.
How did you get assigned?
Right, so, when you join the military you take an aptitude test so that you can qualify for certain occupations. So, like a driver or a cook, anything like that. I’m a mechanic, so you can choose where you want to go. All occupations deploy, and after you go through your basic training then you get assigned to a troop in your state. And then if they deploy, you have to deploy with them.
Is there any change in the sexism or politics in the military?
Yeah, there are a lot of gay people in the military now. It used to be" don’t ask don’t tell," and there’s been that as a big change. There has been talk of transgender as well and people being sensitive, so there are often a lot of gender-related changes.
Is there a gap between men and women?
It’s definitely changing. Women are now joining the infantry. They are trying to make it an equal opportunity all around. There are some men who say women shouldn’t be in the infantry and I agree.
Was there anyone against you joining the military?
Um, the only person that hasn’t really wanted me to join was my mom. Ha. Because I was seventeen years old and she had to sign for me to go. There are always those relationships that don’t make it through the military, like if you have a boyfriend or a girlfriend and you’re in the military and people don’t understand it. They say, ‘No! Not my baby.’
If anyone is listening who might be interested in joining the military, what would you say to them?
My main thing about the military is college. Unless you’re brainy or super good at a sport, it’s hard to get scholarships, so you get financial aid and then you end up $50,000 dollars in debt. When you join the military, it's one weekend out of the month and you get paid for the entire time you're training. Then you can come home and you go to college for free. Kids nowadays don’t appreciate what they have. I found a career out of it. If you don’t know what to do with your life, join the military.
Interview with Naval Reservist Elizabeth Brenner by Taya McClease and Ashaliegh Carrington
Why did you join the military?
The main reason was because I needed a way to pay for college, honestly. Because college was expensive, and I didn’t feel like being in debt. So I joined for that reason, and also just the experience of traveling. That was probably the biggest reason.
How did you get assigned?
Right, so, when you join the military you take an aptitude test so that you can qualify for certain occupations. So, like a driver or a cook, anything like that. I’m a mechanic, so you can choose where you want to go. All occupations deploy, and after you go through your basic training then you get assigned to a troop in your state. And then if they deploy, you have to deploy with them.
Is there any change in the sexism or politics in the military?
Yeah, there are a lot of gay people in the military now. It used to be" don’t ask don’t tell," and there’s been that as a big change. There has been talk of transgender as well and people being sensitive, so there are often a lot of gender-related changes.
Is there a gap between men and women?
It’s definitely changing. Women are now joining the infantry. They are trying to make it an equal opportunity all around. There are some men who say women shouldn’t be in the infantry and I agree.
Was there anyone against you joining the military?
Um, the only person that hasn’t really wanted me to join was my mom. Ha. Because I was seventeen years old and she had to sign for me to go. There are always those relationships that don’t make it through the military, like if you have a boyfriend or a girlfriend and you’re in the military and people don’t understand it. They say, ‘No! Not my baby.’
If anyone is listening who might be interested in joining the military, what would you say to them?
My main thing about the military is college. Unless you’re brainy or super good at a sport, it’s hard to get scholarships, so you get financial aid and then you end up $50,000 dollars in debt. When you join the military, it's one weekend out of the month and you get paid for the entire time you're training. Then you can come home and you go to college for free. Kids nowadays don’t appreciate what they have. I found a career out of it. If you don’t know what to do with your life, join the military.
By Mr. Wajnowski (3/16)
This weekend your GSA went to the True Colors Conference at UCONN in Storrs. For the first time, Co-op performed three workshops each with a particular focus on LGBTQ issues pertaining to teens. Each of these workshops was run by a small student group within GSA. They researched and rehearsed exhaustively. Here are the workshop titles and descriptions:
SAGA (Sexuality and Gender Acceptance): This group focused on the spectrum of gender and sexuality. They instructed on terminology, education, and acceptance.
Breaking Free: Focused on the do's and don'ts of "coming out." They rehearsed a skit, shared stories, and listened while participants shared theirs.
Christian Mingle: This group discussed the relationship between faith (particularly Christianity) and sexuality.
A special thanks also goes out to Ms. Wuzzardo who has proved to be an invaluable new member of the GSA this year, She has provided us with financial assistance from the Shubert, personal workshop expertise, and logistical support to a variety of GSA working groups.
If you see any GSA members, please congratulate them. It was an intense and exciting day. They should be proud of their work and we should be proud of their representation of Coop. Additionally, Co-op will be hosting a GSA Summit in April where outside high school GSAs will be invited to participate in panel discussions and workshops. More information about this will follow soon.
This weekend your GSA went to the True Colors Conference at UCONN in Storrs. For the first time, Co-op performed three workshops each with a particular focus on LGBTQ issues pertaining to teens. Each of these workshops was run by a small student group within GSA. They researched and rehearsed exhaustively. Here are the workshop titles and descriptions:
SAGA (Sexuality and Gender Acceptance): This group focused on the spectrum of gender and sexuality. They instructed on terminology, education, and acceptance.
Breaking Free: Focused on the do's and don'ts of "coming out." They rehearsed a skit, shared stories, and listened while participants shared theirs.
Christian Mingle: This group discussed the relationship between faith (particularly Christianity) and sexuality.
A special thanks also goes out to Ms. Wuzzardo who has proved to be an invaluable new member of the GSA this year, She has provided us with financial assistance from the Shubert, personal workshop expertise, and logistical support to a variety of GSA working groups.
If you see any GSA members, please congratulate them. It was an intense and exciting day. They should be proud of their work and we should be proud of their representation of Coop. Additionally, Co-op will be hosting a GSA Summit in April where outside high school GSAs will be invited to participate in panel discussions and workshops. More information about this will follow soon.
MLK "Right Hand Man" Spoke at Hillhouse
By Mr. Smith (1/16)
MLK “right hand man”, Dr. Bernard Lafayette, was the featured keynote speaker in an event at Hillhouse High School this past Friday. The event, co-sponsored by the Attorney General’s office and the New Haven Public Schools, featured choirs and visiting speakers, including Ade Ben Salahuddin, 2014 Coop Valedictorian and current Yale University freshman.
Dr. Lafayette was on the front lines alongside Dr. King for much of the civil rights movement. He is an original “Freedom Rider” and continues to serve as the national chairman of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), a significant organization in the history of the Civil Rights Movement in America.
Dr. King was killed on April 4th, 1968 in Memphis Tennessee at the Lorraine Motel. Hours before his assassination, Dr. Lafayette was the last person to spend time with Dr. King. In their meeting, Dr. King told Dr. Lafayette that “…Nonviolence is for everyone, we need to take this movement to an international level.” Dr. King’s intention was to include all poor people in the next phase of his civil rights movement plan, the “Poor People’s Campaign”. Dr. King assigned Dr. Lafayette the role of Poor People’s Campaign coordinator and chairman. Dr. Lafayette left Dr. King at the Lorraine motel to go to Washington, D.C. to begin the “Poor People’s Campaign” coordinating meetings. Five hours later, Dr. King was dead.
Dr. Lafayette says that, “They put a ‘hit’ on MLK, hoping to kill the civil rights movement. But their HIT was a MISS; they got Dr. King, but they MISSED the Movement. “The Movement” is alive and growing to this day, and now it’s all over the world. Dr. King’s work lives on through the constant work of Dr. Bernard Lafayette and many of his followers worldwide.
Mr. Smith, who took this photo, earned his Certificate as a Level One trainer of Kingian Nonviolence under the direct guidance of Dr. Lafayette and would be happy to talk with anyone who has questions about what is happening now with The Movement here in New Haven and to help any interested students to get involved with Nonviolence practices in our community.
Photo: Dr. Bernard Lafayette, keynote speaker at Hillhouse High School for MLK Day celebration.
Rear left: Ade Ben Salahuddin, Coop Class of ‘14, Yale University class of ‘18
Front left: Joseline Tlacamulco, Coop class of ’15, UConn class of ‘19
Rear Center: Ms. Harriett Alfred, Coop Choral Music instructor
Front Center: Dr. Bernard Lafayette, Harvard University
Front Right: Eric Cruz, UConn
MLK “right hand man”, Dr. Bernard Lafayette, was the featured keynote speaker in an event at Hillhouse High School this past Friday. The event, co-sponsored by the Attorney General’s office and the New Haven Public Schools, featured choirs and visiting speakers, including Ade Ben Salahuddin, 2014 Coop Valedictorian and current Yale University freshman.
Dr. Lafayette was on the front lines alongside Dr. King for much of the civil rights movement. He is an original “Freedom Rider” and continues to serve as the national chairman of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), a significant organization in the history of the Civil Rights Movement in America.
Dr. King was killed on April 4th, 1968 in Memphis Tennessee at the Lorraine Motel. Hours before his assassination, Dr. Lafayette was the last person to spend time with Dr. King. In their meeting, Dr. King told Dr. Lafayette that “…Nonviolence is for everyone, we need to take this movement to an international level.” Dr. King’s intention was to include all poor people in the next phase of his civil rights movement plan, the “Poor People’s Campaign”. Dr. King assigned Dr. Lafayette the role of Poor People’s Campaign coordinator and chairman. Dr. Lafayette left Dr. King at the Lorraine motel to go to Washington, D.C. to begin the “Poor People’s Campaign” coordinating meetings. Five hours later, Dr. King was dead.
Dr. Lafayette says that, “They put a ‘hit’ on MLK, hoping to kill the civil rights movement. But their HIT was a MISS; they got Dr. King, but they MISSED the Movement. “The Movement” is alive and growing to this day, and now it’s all over the world. Dr. King’s work lives on through the constant work of Dr. Bernard Lafayette and many of his followers worldwide.
Mr. Smith, who took this photo, earned his Certificate as a Level One trainer of Kingian Nonviolence under the direct guidance of Dr. Lafayette and would be happy to talk with anyone who has questions about what is happening now with The Movement here in New Haven and to help any interested students to get involved with Nonviolence practices in our community.
Photo: Dr. Bernard Lafayette, keynote speaker at Hillhouse High School for MLK Day celebration.
Rear left: Ade Ben Salahuddin, Coop Class of ‘14, Yale University class of ‘18
Front left: Joseline Tlacamulco, Coop class of ’15, UConn class of ‘19
Rear Center: Ms. Harriett Alfred, Coop Choral Music instructor
Front Center: Dr. Bernard Lafayette, Harvard University
Front Right: Eric Cruz, UConn
