Popular Romance and DGSC

In the novel, DGSC, we can see how Elizabeth is both privileged and oppressed in many situations.  She is a Christian, able-bodied, homosexual, upper class, black female Latina.  From this, she is privileged because she is a Christian, able-bodied, and an upperclassman.  The other ways are which she is oppressed: homosexual, black, female Latina.  We can see throughout her story how she is affected by these aspects of her life.  She experiences both sexism, racism, and heterosexism, and there are many examples of this, but the most common one that is focused on his heterosexism.  Because she is a lesbian, she is treated and viewed differently by others.  "I can't admit it, what I am.  She is careful and does not look at me the wrong way in public.  These are the hoops I make her jump through" (page, 67).  Elizabeth and Selwyn, Elizabeth mostly, have to be careful how they act in public because they know other people won't accept them because being homosexual in society is not the norm.  This just shows how society views those who aren't the norm.  This is the first time we can see her encounter with heterosexism and that it affects her life with Selwyn.  "I saw on the Internet you teach over at Simmons College.  Is that an all-girl school or something?" (page, 69).  Elizabeth and Selwyn run into Eileen that night, and Eileen makes a joke about her being a lesbian.  Eileen is the one who writes about this and makes a scene about Elizabeth and her lifestyle.  This definitely shows the institutional oppression Elizabeth is put through, by being harassed about her sexuality, and when the story is published, everyone makes a huge deal and starts treating her differently.  Not only does she experience heterosexism because of her situation, she also experiences racism.  Looking at the quotes; "She's black, Sara.  I don't like black women," (page, 86) and "A total waste of a beautiful woman" (page, 84), we can see how even Roberto treats her.  Roberto comes out and says he doesn't even like black women show how being another race than he is, is looked down upon.  Elizabeth is being subjected to both racism and heterosexism, and it's all through one person.  Elizabeth is a female tv anchor, and even though she is a female, she is still very successful, and we don't hear much about problems regarding her gender, but when it comes to other things, concerning her sexuality, her life takes a turn and people call her names.

I wouldn't necessarily say that love is what conquers her struggles, I would say it's more of society obsessing over something, and then finding something new to focus on.  We can see this when after a couple months passed, there were no problems regarding who she was as a person, and she was able to quit her job and be happy.  Her friends were there for her when she told them, and Sara even risked her safety when Elizabeth needed her for support and someone to confide in.  "Does she think I'm that close-minded I would reject her completely?" (page, 84).   Sara was clearly supportive from the start, and didn't have any problem with her coming out.