First Post!

From what I've seen, a first post generally introduces the author/person who is blogging. So, being the person deeply tied to tradition that I am, I will go along with the trend.

Hi! My name is Laura. I won't reveal anything too personal about myself just yet; I'm a bit introverted. I'm the type of person where you might have to gain my trust, but once you've got it, you have my attention, support, caring, and empathy (or the closest emotion to it). I will not pretend to be an expert in anything other than my own experience. I get mad sometimes and when I do I am emotional. I expect that it is my responsibility to treat you with respect and to validate your emotions. I will expect the same in my comments.

I identify as many things. I'm an ex-sports player and an ex-gamer. I am a student at Carleton College (Cognitive Science major). I'm a senior, poised to graduate and "make a name for myself" it in the "real world." I am from a mostly rich, white suburb of Boston, Massachusetts. Most people would gender me female and say that I'm white. My father's side of the family comes from Lithuania, The Netherlands and England. My mother's side of the family comes from Italy and Sweden (I believe). I have had knee surgery to repair my ACL. I identify as able-bodied. I also identify as queer and value my girlfriend more than most of the people in my life. I believe that anarchism holds some pretty awesome values. According to the Myers-Briggs Test, I'm an INFJ. I care very deeply about gender identity issues for reasons I might tell you later. I think Lady GaGa is fascinating. I don't believe the concept of God has any relevance to my life.

Things I'm interested in center around privilege and the -isms. Classism, racism, sexism, ableism, speciesism, neocolonialism, capitalism, transphobia, homophobia, white privilege, heterosexual privilege, male privilege, the list goes on. It's because I care. I make mistakes, I have privilege that I do not deserve. Sometimes people treat me badly for no reason because they have the privilege to do so. I want to change the ways I unwittingly and implicitly perpetuate a system that isolates, oppresses, and silences some people simply because they are who they are.

I realize this is some. deep. ish. Things to keep in mind are:
* I probably like you! I just don't know you yet.
* Your feelings and experiences are valid and I believe you.
* If I make a criticism of something you have said, it is your idea that I want to reflect on, not you. You are worthy and thoughtful and deserve to be listened to.
* I want to listen to you.

With that, hi everyone! Get ready for me to post things I've read and enjoyed! With any luck, I'll do some reflection too.