The essay is a literary device for saying almost everything about almost anything - Aldous Huxley

Queer Studies; The Reality Of The Asexual Spectrum

Queer Studies itself covers a multitude of aspects of sexual orientation and gender. As explained by Parker, Queer Studies was rooted in Gay and Lesbian Studies and evolved over time as society itself evolved. With the further inclusion of gay and lesbian people, other subgroups within the queer identity began to find their own voices and seek representation. Parker focuses on many different subgroups; however, I believe he missed the opportunity to analyze a specific group that operates within many of the structures he explains. Furthermore, this subgroup separates Lesbian and Gay Studies and Queer Studies more definitively allowing for less argument. Asexual people are not sexually attracted to others. While not gay, they are also not straight. However, asexuality itself is a spectrum and some find themselves being attracted to one’s personality more than their physical appearances in totality; meaning they may not be gay. However, they are sexually attracted to a member of the opposite sex based solely on their personality, which is removed from gender. An asexual person would much quicker identify with Queer Studies because they too are encapsulated within the study. Asexual people find themselves within the exact middle ground that Parker describes between the two studies, “Queer studies has grown out of and can include lesbian studies and gay studies, but queer studies does gay and lesbian studies with a difference. Lesbian and gay studies address sexual orientation and people who identify as lesbian or gay and compare them to people who identify as straight.” (Parker, 7) Given the nature of Parker’s argument, I surely figured he would follow along and introduce asexual people as a refined example to contrast the two studies’ goals. However, Parker does not even mention asexual people, furthermore, Parker generalizes that “In practice, however, lesbian, gay, and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) studies often mean more or less the same thing as queer studies.” (Parker, 7) Asexual people often find themselves in a middle ground between the structures that define sexual orientation and gender. Essentially their whole identity serves to look past and even disprove those same structures. As the space becomes more defined, and further generalized, asexual people are the ones who are left behind and divided. Parker’s choices to refine the subject down to its core groups, in order to help his ability to argue whether conscious or not enables the further dissociation of the asexual community. This is because Parker’s own logic creates a structure whereby someone who is “straight” cannot be within a queer spectrum, even though they fall outside of the normal expectation of the straight sexual orientation.

Intersectionality & Assemblage Theory Within A Real-World Context

Both of the works that I have analyzed and explored so far are clearly: deeply connected to each other in terms of application, philosophical thought, and ultimately conclusion. However, these works when placed in combination with Jasbir Puar’s essay “I Would Rather Be a Cyborg Than a Goddess”: Becoming Intersectional in Assemblage Theory” allow for not only a very complete piece of literature with deep philosophical roots, but more so a very “tightly wrapped” understanding of how everything mentioned can function within together. In her essay Puar proposes that assemblage theory, which as previously mentioned, states that there are no fixed points within a body thus no identity factors. Can be used in conjunction with intersectionality, which requires identity factors to create intersections between identities and thus an interconnected system of identities based upon each other. While on a surface level, this would immediately draw some hesitation due to their clearly different functions. Puar argues that if assemblage theory is correct in terms of identity and its non-fixed nature, that this would allow for even more intersectionality or performance. Seeing as gender performance requires shared points of identity, and if identity is always evolving; there is an unlimited opportunity for intersection within someone who is intersectional within assemblage theory. As elaborated by Puar in saying “arrangement can be useful here, because it shows that social entities are not made up of bipolar oppositions. Complex arrangements place parameters like race, sex, age, nationality, etc., into relief. Interactive crossings imply other kinds of logic than that of two‐by‐two class oppositions” However, this distinctly allows Puar to build on the work of both Butler and Sedgwick, in a unique way. That allows for not only assemblage theory and intersectionality to cooperate, but also allowing difference and community to function separately – while still in connection to one another. Puar argues that “in such a way that identity categories themselves are cut through and unstable – and that all subjects are intersectional whether or not they recognize themselves as such.” Meaning that while Sedgwick and Butler contest that gender and sexuality identities are binary and stand in contest, due to the position of male heterosexuality as the “original” next to the “other” in male homosexuality. Puar asserts that regardless, the difference is a point of intersection between the two. That isn’t fixed and is constantly changing, allowing for large points of intersection between the two which in turn; empowers community cohesion within the difference. Furthermore, Puar proposes that “to dismiss assemblages in favor of retaining intersectional identarian frameworks is to dismiss how societies of control tweak and modulate bodies as matter, not predominantly through signification or identity interpellation but rather through affective capacities and tendencies.” Here, Puar essentially argues that in working to dissipate the power difference interplay between genders and sexualities. It is imperative to recognize the role that society’s ideologies have in controlling the body, and furthermore community. Where the action of recognizing, is that of grounding her concepts within the reality of society’s role. Making sure to keep an equal focus on both assemblage theory, and intersectionality. Due to their innate ability to separate power differences, specifically within identity categories like gender and sexuality.

Political Media Within The Age Of The Pandemic

             The COVID-19 pandemic has globally changed everyone’s lives and continues to daily as the virus mutates, progresses, and regresses around the world. The pandemic fundamentally caught the world off guard, while preparations were in place for such an event these preparations or measures were tested to their extreme. As we all saw and still see, in hospitalization and capacity issues. Many within the healthcare sector were extremely affected by this, because at the core “capacity issues” translates to dying patients without care, because the plan and preparation failed. Many times, to no fault of the workers, but the systems within government and public agencies not being ready to actually handle an event of this magnitude. In an attempt to better plan for the future and prevent needless loss of life, the Public Health Agency of Canada planned to re-establish a second contract to obtain legally de-identified cellphone data that would show the travels of Canadians. In theory, this would allow the PHAC to continue to better plan which areas to expect viral outbreaks to come from. Allowing them the opportunity to control these areas so future viruses aren’t able to have the same effect as COVID-19. However, “Big Data” itself is a very contentious issue in the realm of politics that creates clear party lines. Obviously, each portion of the political spectrum has its own reflection within the media landscape. Two articles that beautifully show this separation within the same medium, would-be journalist Marie Woolf’s article, “Commons Committee to Schedule Emergency Probe of Collection of Mobile Data” for the Toronto Star, and journalist Anja Karadeglija’s article for the National Post titled “Opposition Mps Call for Emergency Probe of Health Agency's Use of Canadians' Mobile Data during COVID.” While both articles cover this issue with a strict sense of professionalism and journalistic integrity; their own opinions can be deduced. Woolf, in her article, provides a generalized factual summary of the issue. Featuring little commentary, thus providing an almost recounting or direct discerption of the current ethics committee motions regarding the PHAC, with broad political reactions. On the other side, we see Karadeglija’s article. In many senses, these two articles are very similar in their structure, both serving to provide their base with the current news. However, Karadeglija clearly includes more commentary and a deeper dive into the historical understanding of how the PHAC has acquired data. This builds throughout the article providing the clear perspective that Karadeglija is suspect of the PHAC and their track record  While Woolf provides little past reference, I believe this stands in wanting to reflect the current and pressing situation within the ethics committee.

Texas Governor, Greg Abbot - A Twitter Analysis.

Often times growing up in Alberta, I heard or saw the phrase “Alberta is the Texas of Canada” That is why I decided to choose Republican Governor, Greg Abbott of Texas for my analysis. Who for comparison’s sake, is the closest thing to a Canadian premiere within the U.S. system. Furthermore, I chose to look at Governor Abbott’s (@GregAbbott_TX) consistent daily tweets within the seven-day span of February 22nd to March 1st, 2022. Abbott represents what is widely considered the republican “hub” of the United States. During this span of time Abbott was faced with not only: a major geo-political conflict with connections to Texas’s economy, his own highly controversial directive, but most importantly the final days of his primary election campaign. This all culminates into a textbook lesson on how a politician primes and frames their views during an election. While simultaneously bolstering their political base, by feeding into the concept of “media bubbles” by sacrificing his own accountability; at no cost.

Governor Abbott from February 22nd to March 1st tweeted not only every single day, but multiple times every single day. In these tweets, he covered everything from transgender rights, the invasion of Ukraine, Texas’s own oil and gas economy, and obviously due to his election; a huge number of ads and voting messages. Generally, Abbott aims to address and represent the citizens of Texas in his tweets. However, due to Texas being the heart of the GOP. Abbott often addresses beyond the scope of his legitimate ability and influence in order to ignite the Republican base as a whole. Abbott tweeted in the early morning for those within Texas, at 6:26AM, on Feb 22nd “Texas Attorney General: “There is no doubt" that gender transition of minors is ‘child abuse’ under Texas law. The Texas Dept. of Family & Protective Services will enforce this ruling and investigate & refer for prosecution any such abuse” This tweet itself frames Abbott’s position and his legal directive to the department of Family & Protective Services as not only being legally correct but incites human nature in wanting to protect children. He is able to intertwine that basic instinct with evangelic conservative views. In doing so, Abbott is positioned to those within the conservative media bubble, As a strong leader within the morals of Christianity. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, Abbott tweeted on February 26th at 10:21AM “‘Ukraine-Russia war: Kyiv still standing on Day 3, Zelenskyy refuses to leave country’ This is a leader. The U.S. must do more to end this war. Sanctions are not enough.  Ukraine needs weapons. US & EU need energy independence. #StandWithUkraine” Here, Abbott makes sure to mention “US & EU need energy independence.” because it directly benefits Texas’s energy economy. However, Abbott’s inclusion of the statement “Sanctions are not enough. Ukraine needs weapons.” is a prime example of abandoning his accountability in order to feed into the conservative media sphere. In referencing actions that could spark further conflict. In the same vein, on the same day at 9:35PM Abbott tweeted “From day one, Biden has prohibited our ability to drill oil & natural gas. The situation in Russia & Ukraine will make gas prices even higher. Texas can drill enough oil & natural gas to keep prices low here in America & in Europe if Biden would get out of the way.” This proves the previous statement correct, in his literally pitting of himself against Biden. While also further aligning himself with the Energy Sector. In understanding that Energy is the backbone of Texas’s economy, like Alberta. Conservative politicians are often able to reference “Oil and Gas” generally as a way of relating the politics, to the regular voter. Who because of the economy; is likely to be employed in the Energy business.