March 10, 2008

What Becomes You- A Transgendered Journey in Literature

With our class discussion about people who are transgendered, I remembered that one of our English professors here at the university has a son who is transgendered. Hilda Raz is an English professor here who mostly teaches classes referring to poetry and women’s studies, some of you may have had her as a teacher. Her son, Aaron Raz, came out with a book, “What Becomes You” last year about his transformation from a woman to a man. In this book Aaron and Hilda examine their lives within the context of their experiences and expectations of gender, what it is and what it isn't, what it means and what it doesn't mean. Through Aaron’s section, we get to hear the intimate story of how he always felt out of place in his feminine role, how he felt awkward in his female body, how he dealt with the emotions as he discovered who he really is. Hilda also writes in at and comments on how she observed the process as both an "astonished" parent and as a professor who has studied gender issues.

I think this is a great example of the process and hardships of someone who is transgendered. It’s specifically relevant to this class because it places this issue within the context of our own region. If you get a chance, check it out, it’s definitely a worthwhile read.

http://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/product/What-Becomes-You,673156.aspx

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