[515] in peace2
Re: iap class
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Payal Parekh)
Fri Jan 19 15:49:02 2001
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2001 15:46:08 -0500 (EST)
From: Payal Parekh <parekh@pimms.mit.edu>
Reply-To: Payal Parekh <parekh@pimms.mit.edu>
To: Martin Voelker <nouturn@mediaone.net>
Cc: Karen Sachs <karens@MIT.EDU>, peace-list@MIT.EDU
In-Reply-To: <v04003a01b68d58925f7c@[24.91.157.30]>
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Hello Martin and Karen,
I guess I would have to disagree slightly with both of you. I think it is
great that there is a class for only women around such topics.
It is a reality that growing up, girls are often not given the chance to
learn things such as auto repair or electronics repair due to sexist
conventions. Often taking such courses with men can be daunting and
intimidating, as they often already know how to use the tools and have had
more opportunities growing up to make repairs.
I never thought much of such courses until a couple of months ago, when I
decided to take a bike repair course at Broadway Bicycle. Since the co-ed
class was full, I took the women's only course. It was really great. I
felt much more comfortable asking questions about tools and repair
techniques. In fact, on Fridays, Broadway Bicycle only has women
mechanics working, as they have noticed there are women who would prefer
to learn bike maintainance/repair skills from other women.
If it encourages more women to learn such skills, I am all for it. I
think the bike course really built up my confidence with regards to fixing
mechanical objects. There is no reason why women should have less
aptitude for such things.
Regards,
Payal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payal Parekh
MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography
Program in Atmosphere, Oceans, and Climate
parekh@pimms.mit.edu
MIT WHOI
54-1511A Clark 461, MS #25
Cambridge, MA 02139 Woods Hole, MA 02543
617.253.2922 Tel: 508.289.3236
Fax: 508.457.2193
On Fri, 19 Jan 2001, Martin Voelker wrote:
> Hi Karen:
> I agree that it sounds offensive, my wife suggested I should attend.
> Here is another course that goes in the same direction but has much more
> sensitive wording (Bev Stohl, btw, is Noam Chomsky's office manager).
>
> Martin Voelker
>
> IAP 2001 Activity
>
> Home Repair for Women: Electrical Work Ri Romano , Bev Stohl, Joe Fagone
> Wed Jan 10, 17, 24, 31, 12-02:00pm, 5-134
>
> Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below) Signup by:
> 13-Dec-2000 Limited to 30 participants. Participants requested to attend
> all sessions (non-series)
>
> Growing up, girls are not often afforded the opportunity to fix things.
> This is a four-week, hands-on course in which participants will learn the
> basics of electrical repair work around the home. Each session will build
> upon knowledge accrued in the previous classes, so attendance at all four
> is required. Topics will include: terminology; hands-on installation of
> plugs, circuits, switches, and light fixtures; and actual applications such
> as ceiling fans, doorbells, thermostats and repairing lamps. EVENT CO-
> SPONSORED BY WOMEN'S STUDIES AND THE EDGERTON CENTER. Contact: Michele
> Oshima, 14E-316, x3-8844, mosh@mit.edu Sponsor: Womens Studies Latest
> update: 06-Nov-2000
>
>
>
>
>
> | Subjects | Activities by Category | Activities by Sponsor | Search the
> Guide | IAP Guide | MIT |
>
> Comments to iap-www@mit.edu Listing generated: 18-Jan-2001
>
>
>
> >This may seem like a very small issue to many of you, but were you aware that
> >there is an IAP class that teaches auto maintenance for the totally clueless,
> >which is called "Women's Introduction to Auto Safety and Fix-It"?
> >
> >I am personally very annoyed. I noticed it last year too.
> >
> >I wrote a very long and polite letter to the people in charge explaining
> >exactly what is wrong with calling the class in this way.
> >
> >If they do not reply, I will cc to the Tech and also round up all the men I
> >know who are clueless about cars and take them to this class.
> >
> >Peace
> >
> >Karen
>
>
> Martin Voelker
> 32 Hall Ave
> Medford, MA 02155-3115
> http://www.noUturn.org
>
>
