Thank you for your willingness to enter what is, for many of you, a new realm of interdisciplinary study in transnational feminisms and women's experiences around the globe.
In addition to our classroom discussion, we are holding a blog discussion on the readings from chapter two, in systems of privilege and oppression, this week. Please post your commentaries here as "Comments" to this blog item. Remember: your commentary may either initiate a discussion thread or continue an existing one. Commentaries, whether initiating or continuing threads, must comport to all other assignment parameters. Due date: Friday, 1/29/10, at 5pm EST.
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I found it interesting that many sports are dominated by a certain race or gender. "Men's sports are more highly valued than women's sports and are a major focus for sports entertaining" (Shaw & Lee 66). I had never really thought about this before but it is true. Many people tune into "Monday Night Football" to watch men compete against one another. Many spectators also enjoy watching men's basketball as well as men's ice hockey. There are no women's sports so highly profiled as men's football, basketball or ice hockey.
ReplyDeleteWhen the topic of women's sports does come about, it is intriguing to see the racial differences among them. Many of these sports tend to be “more 'White' than others" (Shaw and Lee 66). This is true. It is rare to see many African American gymnasts or many white women playing basketball or running track.
Women's voices, feminist visions classic and contemporary readings. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2009. Print.
-Laura Creel
In her essay, “Towards a New Vision,” Patricia Hill Collins recalls an incident during which a white girl was choosing which of her many sweaters to wear. Collins notes that it seemed to be “one of the most important decisions [the white girl] had to make on a daily basis” (as cited in Lee and Shaw, 2009, p. 83). At first, I would’ve viewed this incident as a reflection of society’s high expectations; the girl felt that she had to present herself perfectly to her peers, and felt that what she wore was more important than intellect, confidence, or anything else. However, Collins views the incident as an example of “how different [their] lives were”; furthermore, Collins admits that she began to categorize “all affluent White women as being superficial, arrogant, overly concerned with material possessions, and part of [her] problem” (as cited in Lee and Shaw, 2009, p. 83). I found this passage to be interesting because, as a white, female college student, I identify strongly with the “white woman” in the story. There are days when I try on multiple outfits, unsatisfied with most of my clothes, searching for the perfect combination. While I agree that this is superficial, I hadn’t thought of myself as arrogant or “part of the problem”. Once I began thinking about this, however, I realized that, growing up, I never thought of the people who don’t live this way. My increasing awareness is now allowing me to look beyond my lifestyle, empathizing with individuals who have bigger, more significant things to think about.
ReplyDeleteLee, Janet, and Susan M. Shaw. Women’s Voices, Feminist Visions. 4th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill, 2009.
- Katie Duffy
While reading chapter 2, I thought the section about Institutions was extremely interesting. It explained how, “Institutions are social organizations that involve established patterns of behavior organized around particular purposes” (Shaw, Lee 64). Some of the institutions they mentioned were, “Family, marriage, the economy, government and criminal justice systems …”(Shaw, Lee 64) It went on to explain how these institutions are supposed to benefit everyone, but in reality that’s not the case. For example, when I think of families and marriage in past years, men typically made the rules and important decisions for their families. Men were the sole providers for their family, and their wives were typically homemakers, who raised the children. Since institutions, “establish patterns of behavior…” it makes sense why for so many years, men were considered ‘the man of the house,’ because our society follows these patterns. Not all of these institutions favor men, for instance our criminal justice system is more lenient towards women. If you look at cases where men and women are both convicted of murder, there is an extremely higher percentage of men that have been sentenced to the death penalty instead of women. When you look at the institutions as a whole, men are favored in the majority of them. Although, these institutions are slowly changing to benefit both males and females, we have a lot of work to do, in order to have equality in these institutions.
ReplyDeleteShaw, Susan Lee, Janet. "Institutions." Women's Voices Feminist Visions. Ed. Michael Ryan. New York, NY: McGraw Hill, 2009. Print.
-Emily Fuerst
Suzanne Pharr’s article “Homophobia” gave me a lot of insight into how sexism and homophobia are used to keep both men and women from breaking our gender norms. Our society has learned to immediately label someone who bends the expectations of their gender as gay. Because of the homophobia in this society, being labeled as gay is undesirable and a threat to your well-being. Even though I am aware of how wrong this is, I subconsciously associate “feminist” with “lesbian” because it is so deeply engrained in my social upbringing. The threat of being labeled a lesbian keeps women from being as outspoken as they want to be. However, I feel that men are limited more than women with these threats because the backlash is harsher on gay men than on lesbians. It’s upsetting to me that it is even a threat to call someone gay, whether they are or not. I wish we lived in a society where it made no difference and therefore we didn’t feel that we have to strictly follow our gender norms. I’ve seen a lot of debating on the news today about Obama’s call to end the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy in the army, which makes me see that this issue is getting recognition, but probably won’t be making major changes anytime soon.
ReplyDelete-Kate Corbey
Lee, Janet, and Susan M. Shaw. Women’s Voices, Feminist Visions. 4th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill, 2009.
Lois Keith’s writing, Tomorrow I’m Going to Rewrite the English Language, shows what many feminists truly want to be, taken seriously and understood. Keith writes, “I will make them understand that it is a very male way to describe the world.” She was right in saying the world is seen and described through male terms and ways. If we were able to rewrite the language and make the world more gender-neutral with different ways to describe strength and adequacy, less people would feel discriminated against and left out.
ReplyDeleteKeith, Lois. “Tomorrow I’m Going to Rewrite the English Language.” Women’s Voices, Feminist Visions Classic and Contemporary Readings. Ed. Susan Shaw and Janet Lee. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 86-87.
"For women, such accusation is particularly intimidating, since sensitivity is one of the few virtues that has been assigned to us. If we are found insensitive, we may fear we have no redeeming traits at all and perhaps are not real women." Oppression, Marilyn Frye.
ReplyDeleteWhen reading this passage, this part really stood out to me. Just as men are required by society to be masculine, strong and providing, women are required to provide the "softer side" to society. The whole idea that a man or women that does not possess such characteristics, like sensitivity that Marilyn Frye mentions, has something wrong with them is oppressive in itself. The freedom to be oneself is lost for many in the expectations of a society, even one that in centralized on ideal of freedom.
When I was reading "Oppression" by Marilyn Frye, one thing she said truly stuck out to me and I thought it was a great demonstration. She is talking about examining someone else's oppression and she uses an example of a bird cage as their total oppression which they bear. She states, "it is only when you step back, stop looking at the wires one by one, microscopically, and take a macroscopic view of the whole cage, that you can see why the bird does not go anywhere" (Shaw and Lee 86). This was profound to me because you truly can't understand someone's life from looking at one aspect of it. You have to look at the whole picture. And sometimes we aren't even capable of looking at the whole picture. It is a great lesson on not judging a person and also not thinking "well, they aren't oppressed, they could easily get out of that situation." Her article was a valuable learning tool for me.
ReplyDeleteCite: Frye, Marilyn. "Oppression." Women's Voices Feminist Visions. 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 84-86. Print.
Apparently becoming an old woman is looked upon as a dreaded topic of interest in today’s society. However this is not the case when reading “Voices On Becoming Old Women,” by Baba Copper. Her interpretation of old women brings them into the forefront. According to society, staying young and beautiful is the ideal picture that a woman should be. However, once you’re old, relying on your looks doesn’t seem to help you gain power and prestige. That’s when discrimination of age becomes a problem.
ReplyDeleteWomen of old age are being discriminated against from their own kind; young, midlife women because of what society suggests they should look like. Anything but old age is presentable otherwise they would be looked at as something negative and dreadful. For instance, Baba Copper states, “Age passing-passing for young enough-is part of all female experience” (p. 107). Then she goes on to say that old women need to speak up about their discrimination of age, “First, we have to name our circumstances more clearly, identifying the root sources of our denigrated place in society”(p.109). Older Women need a stronger voice so that they can be celebrated!
Citation: Copper, Baba. “Voices On Becoming Old Women.” Women’s Voices Feminist Visions. 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 107-109.
"even though they may grant that women are disadvantaged. Denials that amount to taboos surround the subject of advantages that men gain from women's disadvantages."
ReplyDeleteWhite Privilege and Male Privilege by Peggy McIntosh brings up an interesting point regarding advantage or privilege. We are all so quick to see our own disadvantages or other's advantages but our own advantages are so much more difficult for us to see. The expression "the grass is always greener on the other side" can summarize this article perfectly.
Citation: McIntosh, Peggy. "White Privilege and Male Privilege." Women's voices, feminist visions classic and contemporary readings. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2009. 91. Print
I enjoyed Lois Keith’s poem “Tomorrow I’m Going to Rewrite the English Language” very much. I understood her views of the world and why she thought the English language needed to be rewritten seeing as it is laced with power and domination. When you think about it, those countries who speak English as the primary language tend to have a history of imperialism and domination over minorities, America and England in particular. I feel a transition to a new way of talking to women is necessary, I do think many women feel dependent and unable to truly stand alone and be at the top of the food chain. But how would the revolution of our language be accepted? Would it at all? Is it possible for our culture to become soft and feminine rather than power hungry and harsh?
ReplyDeleteI guess what really stuck out to me was Suzanne Pharr's article on "Homophobia A Weapon of Sexism." I never new there was such a thing as homophobia until last year when I met someone who was homophobic. The article talks about gays and how "they are seen as betrayers, as traitors who must be punished and eliminated"(Pharr 88). I recently made friends with a very wonderful gay preacher. He talked about how much he loved God, but he also said that if anyone ever found out he was gay, then he would be kicked out of the church. The statue of liberty is a symbol of how welcoming and wonderful our country is, but is it really that welcoming? We really do not except differences, and I feel differences are something that should be embraced. I think it's kind of sad that even though I feel like I am supportive of gays and lesbians, if someone asked me if I was a lesbian I would be insulted, but now I'm wondering why I would be insulted? I feel I want to help them with their struggle with equality, but I don't want to be grouped with them, and I just think that is horrible.
ReplyDeleteNichole Beatty
ReplyDeleteAs stated in our textbook, "Women's Voices" by Susan Shaw and Janet Lee:
"It is easier to grant that others are disadvantaged than to admit being privileged. Men might be supportive of women's rights but balk at the suggestion that their personal behavior is in need of modification." (pg 61)
I find this quote very true. Men will be the first ones to argue that women have the same oppurtunities and rights as themselves but would never admit that they really have the uper hand and more oppurtunities. When you look at the work place for example, most of the higher paid jobs and positions are held by men. If males are not more privileged, then why isnt there an equal male to female ratio in the work place? Although men are supportive of female's rights, when it comes down to it, if females had the same oppurtunities and equal rights i believe men would feel intimiidated.
Shaw, Susan, and Janet Lee. Women's Voices. 4th ed. New York: Mcgraw Hill Higher Education, 2009.
The reading that stuck out the most to me was "Homophobia A Weapon of Sexism", by Suzanne Pharr. I thought that this reading was a little extreme, but it did make some good points. It made me think about how feminists and homosexuals are viewed in the same type of way. They are both looked down upon and critized for how they feel and what they believe. Suzanne Pharr explains, "Like racism and anti-semitism, it is a word that calls up images of loss of freedom, verbal and physical violence, death." (Pharr, p. 87). This is a lot like how feminists are treated and women in general, especially the loss of freedom, which is what feminists are fighting for. In class we discuss the "norms" and how the dominate characterisitic is a white, heterosexual male. So, this reading made me think about how hard it must be for homosexuals, especially lesbians because they are fighting for equality because they are women and because they are homoesexual.
ReplyDeleteCitation: Pharr, Suzanne. "Homophobia A Weapon of Sexism." Women's voices, feminist visions classic and contemporary readings. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2009. 87-91, Print.
Stuck in the societal middle seems to be the common theme for women in the United States. People will always judge the actions of a woman no matter which path she takes. In regards to speaking up and standing up for your beliefs, it does not make sense that women are classified into two opposite spectrums. Frye points out that, “If one uses “strong language,” one invites categorization as a whore or slut; if one does not, one invites categorization as a “lady”- one too delicately constituted to cope with robust speech or the realities to which it presumably refers” (85). In order to earn respect many women today need to emphasize their powerful opinions. If this act is seen as being a whore, and acting in a non-exuberant manner is seen as delicate, than what is the middle or right path? Should there even be such a thing as the middle?
ReplyDeleteWomen's Voices Feminist Visions. 4th ed. New York: Frank Mortimer, 2009. 54-55. Print. Oppression. Marilyn Frye, 1983.
-Liz
While reading "Toward a New Vision" by Patricia Hill Collins, I came across a statement that really stood out to me. In the article I felt that she talked about how race has become something that we think about without even really thinking about it. Collins mentioned coalitions around a common cause which struck me because it is all about seeing the big picture, which a lot of people really have a hard time doing. Near the end of the section Collins says, “We do not all have to do the same thing in the same way. Instead, we must support each other’s efforts, realizing that they are all part of the larger enterprise of bringing about social change” (Collins 82). I really liked this statement because it is so true! We as a society need to stop focusing on how different we are as a bad thing, but as how being different is an awesome thing and using that to help with the bigger picture of society in making a greater change!
ReplyDeleteShaw, Susan, and Janet Lee. Women's voices: Feminist Visions. 4th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 82. Print. Toward a New Vision: Race, Class, and Gender as Categories of Analysis and Connection. Collins, Patricia H. (1993).
While reading chapter 2 in the text the concept of horizontal hostility stuck out to me. On page 71 the author writes, “When individuals direct the resentment and anger they have about their situation onto those who are of equal or lesser status is called horizontal hostility. As a strategy, it is similar to the military notions of “divide and conquer” in which groups are encouraged to fight with one another in order to avoid alliances that might collaboratively overpower an enemy. Women might do this when they are in competition about each other’s looks or put other women down with verbal and/or nonverbal behavior.” I believe this concept was brought up in conversation last week in the commentaries and now has a solidified name. Since I was in middle school I have had trouble understanding why women always seem to be in conflict with other women; why it is so difficult to maintain a friendship between someone of the same gender as you. Horizontal hostility explains this tension as a societal creation to keep women from bonding together to enforce change. This is a major issue women will have to overcome for any gender equality to exist.
ReplyDeleteThis commentary is directed to Jana because I found her topic to be interesting concerning certain "coalitions" and overlooking the "big picture". The fact of the matter is, in our society, people are often quick to pull the "race" card or assume racial preferences as the reason for failure. Saying that, I believe we come to these abrupt conclusions due to the fact that we do not think as a society anymore. I mean this in a sense that we are all different and, in our society, we have an innate tendency to focus on our differences rather than realize the advantages of being different. I believe this is where terms such as racism, sexism, and even feminism came out to be. As a society, we need to focus on what we can contribute as a result of being different instead of claiming difference as a causation for failure. For example, women, psychologically have an innante gift of bring caring and nurturing. We cannot look at this as a mere stereotype but, as an advantage. There is a reason why there are more female nurses than male nurses, there is a reason why you see female teachers instead of male teachers. Embracing our differences and realizing what we can utilize to our advantage, as a society, can wield much more than focusing on our differences and "rising" up as individual coalitions arguing different causes that when looking at the big picture are deemed petty and even selfish.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with what Peggy McIntosh wrote about not realizing the privileges she receives from being white. I always thought about how obvious it was that men were at an advantage without ever realizing it and to some extent I knew that I have some advantage to being white. But by reading this article, I thought about the (unearned) privileges that that I have of being white. Peggy writes that, "...whites are taught to think of their lives as morally neutral, normative and average, and also ideal..." I think that she is right in believing this. From an early age, most of the story books and toys that children are exposed to are images of white people. That's what is expressed as "normal" and we were never really taught that there are other ways to look that are just as "normal." If I have never really seen myself as having what is now an obvious advantage over others and acknowledge that, can I really blame men for not doing the same? We, as a whole, need to be able to put everything on an even playing field if we expect to have the different genders treated equally.
ReplyDeleteCitation: McIntosh, Peggy. "White Priviledge and Male Privilege." Women's voice, feminist visions classic and contemporary readings. 4th ed. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2009. 91-98. Print.
Stephanie Phillips
ReplyDeleteWe live in an over sexualized society, yet women are not supposed to be sexual. Even though almost every advertisement campaign features a half naked woman, it is shameful for a woman to show her body or act in a sexual manner if she is not on the cover of a magazine or on a billboard advertising a new cologne. In Maryilyn Frye’s essay, “Opression,” she comments on the bind society places on woman because “neither sexual activity nor sexual inactivity is all right” (Frye 85). If a woman “is heterosexually active, [she] is open to censure and punishment for being too lose, unprincipled or a whore” (85). “On the other hand, if she refrains from heterosexual activity, she is fairly constantly harassed by men who try to persuade her into it and pressure her to ‘relax’ and let ‘her hair down” (Frye 85). Woman should not be judged for either being too sexual, or not sexual enough; it forces them to change who they are to fit into this tiny category between the two extremes which is considered the correct way to act. I believe men also receive the same pressure from society, however the pressure is not as extreme. If a younger man, college age, has sex with many women, his peers usually applaud him for his activities. However, some woman might find a man who “sleeps around” sleazy or appalling. On the other hand, one’s peers might also mock a man for not having sex, and tell him he is gay or not a real man. I believe in our society, there is far too much pressure placed on men and woman. If one is acting too sexual, he or she might be considered a whore, however if he or she is not having sex, then the words “gay” or “uptight” might be used to ridicule that person. There is no way to win, and I believe society is putting far too much pressure on both men and woman to be two things at once, sexual and conservative, and that is an impossibility.
In, "White Privilege and Male Privilege," Peggy McIntosh describes an invisible knapsack as full of an "invisible packing of unearned assets that I can count on cashing each day" (McIntosh 91). This concept is striking because not only does it pertain to race and sex, but it can also pertain to the qualities of any dominant group. I'm bothered by the idea that as a "society," we allow and even encourage men to have this invisible knapsack of tools that they utilize without even knowing it. This is all regardless of intelligence, personality, intent, etc. When considering my sexual orientation, I, like McIntosh, had trouble facing my own privilege, but found her hypothesis to be wholly correct. For these reasons, I decided to explore my own heterosexual privilege.
ReplyDelete-I can kiss my boyfriend in a public place and not be stared at.
-I will never experience someone using my sexual orientation as a derogatory term.
-When I meet new people, I will not have to worry about informing them of my sexual preference, they will assume that I am heterosexual.
-People don’t ask about why I “chose” my sexual orientation.
-Similarly, I do not have to defend my sexual orientation.
-When I talk about being heterosexual, I will not have to fear that people think I am pushing my sexual orientation on others.
McIntosh, Peggy. "White Privilege and Male Privilege." Women's voices, feminist visions classic and contemporary readings. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2009. 91-98, Print.
In Gloria Yamato's "Something About the Subject Makes It Hard to Name" I found a segment of the argument that particularly impacted me. The author who, as a woman of color has experienced the hardships she discusses in her essay first hand, comments "[internalized racism] results in my acceptance of mistreatment, leads me to believe that being treated with less than absolute respect, at least this once, is to be expected," (100.) I had a personal experience this week that made me connect with Yamato's postition on a deeper level. I was eating at Top Dog with a friend, and one of his friends. My friend's buddy throughout the course of the meal perpetually degraded me & my gender by telling me I, as well as other women seek men because of a financial need of dependence. That when considering possible candidates for dates, I consider first, how much money they will make because I do not want to work, I am a woman, therefore I am reliant on a husband to run a household. I took extreme offense to this because he kept saying "it's how you've been raised, it's what you know," and that couldn't be further from the truth. I was tired of being put down and in a weak position merely based on gender. I think that Gloria Yamato's perception of racism reflects this same frustration, because even if only once, disrespect is just unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteThis is from: Annie Blewett
ReplyDeleteIn Patricia Hill Collin’s “Toward a New Vision,” she says that “each group identifies the type of oppression with which it feels most comfortable as being fundamental and classifies all the other types as being of lesser importance. (Collins, 76)” I think that this is very true statement, and something that I hadn’t considered before. As a white woman, I am oppressed by society in certain aspects, however, I can never understand what it feels like to be oppressed because of my social class, race, or sexuality because I am part of the accepted majority. Even though I do have my experience with oppression, it doesn’t stop me, or anyone else from also oppressing others with my own personal biases and stereotypes. Sometimes these thoughts and feelings are so deep rooted, that is it not only difficult to identify them, but also to transcend them. I wonder what kind of steps I can take as an individual, and we can take as a society to move beyond the oppression of others. Part of me wonders, is this even possible?
Source:
Collins, Patricia Hill. “Toward a New Vision: Race, Class, and Gender as Categories of Analysis and Connection.” Women’s Voices, Feminist Visions, 4th ed., Mc-Graw-Hill, 2009.
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ReplyDelete