What’s the MATTER with you?
As “normal” standards work to control a sense of who or what matters, a system of division is created.
Here is the system, constructed of masculine ideologies that form power under the ruling of their subjects. Within this system, heterosexual norms provide the model of what matters. In Judith Butler’s Bodies That Matter, the idea of a gendered matrix is presented which then breaks down the meaning of matter. As Butler states, “to know the significance of something is to know how and why it matters”(32).
Significance controls the meaning of what matters. It is very important to see how control systems build the image of a body that matters. The media plays a strong role in this aspect of control.
In the United States, we (the people) live under a binary system. Male and Female. Black and White. Day and Night. This system has structured a path that allows opposites to divide. The divisions are made between gender and race, causing a rush to materialize significance that can transcend and display meaning.
To become meaningful we gain a purpose from within. This purpose allows us to understand and be aware of our meaning.
Judith Butler displays the significance of the female body. It is a body of reproduction and holds the nature of regeneration. The significance of a female body lies within her womb.
Can a body matter without a womb?
But of course, we have the body of a man. Yet, male significance can be traced through the dominate roles the gender male takes up.
The REAL question is this, when should a body matter?
The current movement #BlackLivesMatter sets a new standard.
Catching the attention of our nation #BlackLivesMatter has sprung from the killings of innocent lives that were seen as a dangerous matter.
Let’s Go Back:
Significance has been materialized and is seen as something made up of value. The appearance of this value determines how much matter is involved. Butler portrays material as a source of becoming, and when going back to the female body, what matters is the performance of reproduction.
The contrast between gender and race allows matter to build into different sections of value.
In the story of Black Lives Matter, a sense of community has been established. This is the first step the movement is making in order to show their significance. Although there has been a back lash to the movement, it is important to allow this movement to grow. The movement is responding to a system of division. The movement has organized a strong union which only wants to been seen, for when one is able to been seen, one is placed in a system that may be valued.
Open your eyes!!!
Tragic deaths from Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown, Tanisha Anderson, Anyia Parker, Freddie Gray…
The list goes on. How long must a list get in order to get people to open their eyes? To open their hearts to understand the matter of importance this movement has. As I mentioned before, media plays a role in controlling the idea of what matters. This movement has allowed for another voice to rise up, for another perspective to begin.
“Black Lives Matter has really taken this on as an organization of activists who really are exercising [the rights] our democracy calls for and making sure that all voices are heard” -Barbara Lee
The article above provides information on Black Lives Matter and interviews Barbara Lee (Representative of California’s Congress). Her statement made in the report gives America an awareness of how this movement can create a new voice for our nation.
Twitter has been a big part of this movement
The movement also inspired a movement through the arts. Last year I was able to attend the exhibition “Manifest:Justice”. A social art movement that allows a silent voice be heard through the images and creations provided by artist. Please feel free to check them out.
The art work was very moving. It made me feel the value of my people.
These images moved me.
What’s the Matter with you?
I ask this question in order to make one see how matter works.
Matter as a science. Matter as a rule. Matter of a fact, we all can see the truth.
Butler writes about matter and bodies in order to stop a movement of looking at bodies through the lens of sexuality. I bring in Black Lives Matter and Manifest: Justice in order to deconstruct the lens of race.
So when you realize what’s the matter with you, perhaps your lens will be a bit more clear.
More Photos From Manifest:Justice exhibit .
Photos Taken by Michelle Cveyich
