Wednesday, February 10, 2010
What About Us? Excluded Groups Within the Feminist Movement
It was made clear from the readings that there are still groups of women who are left out of the feminist movement. The movement is still very much centered around heterosexual white middle class women. It has excluded women who identify as queer, black, poor, etc. Audre Lorde, a black female lesbian and feminist who talks about this exclusion in her article. She argues that American women differ in race, sexuality, and class, but these differences are never talked about and are often left out of dialogue. The identities of women are portrayed as very one dimensional. For example, under the patriarchal system, Lorde claims that the only identity associated with women is maternity. The differences of women are never discussed and are often overlooked my men and women. In fact, Lorde finds problem with the fact that these differences are not being acknowledged within the feminist movement. In her view, "difference is that raw and powerful connection from which our personal power is forged" (Lorde). Women do not embrace their differences. Instead they are either seen as a challenge, and according to Lorde, has served as "causes for separation and suspicion rather than as forces of change" (Lorde). I have to agree with Lorde. Looking at it, one must realize how we are socialized by society to ignore and devalue our differences rather than embrace them. This leads to oppression of groups and peoples just because they are categorized as "different" from the "norm." It also leads to exclusion. While the feminist movement is geared towards the rights of women, its main focus is still centered around white middle class heterosexual woman. Blacks, lesbians, and other oppressed groups are left out. Peggy McIntosh identifies just how even as a women, her white middle class status gives her many more rights over other women of different races, classes, and backgrounds. She lists 50 (and it could be even more) of her privileges as a white middle class heterosexual women. She identifies how her white privilege gives her so many rights - and how it was oppressing women who didn't have it. Even in the the article by Tiya Miles, we see how failure to acknowledge differences such as race, class, and background can exclude many women from the movement. The fact of the matter is that sexism is tied in with racism, heterosexism, classism, and many other -isms. Before any type of change is to be made, there must first be an acknowledge of the differences within the community and how these differences impact different groups in social life.Yes, the feminist movement can be for all women, but we must realize that a white woman's experience is different from that of a black woman. A heterosexual woman's experience is different from that of a woman who identifies as non-heterosexual. Each experience is valid, and we can't assume that one group's experience will speak for the rest. If we do, we are oppressing them as much as they are oppressing us. We must go from having a one dimensional outlook to having an array of viewpoints. It is then that we can truly begin a revolution for change.
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I agree with what Lee stated. All of the authors point out that the feminism movement is divided just the same way other movements have been. Middle-class white women are the only women truly apart of the feminism movement. As Lorde points out she was the only black women at the conference. Other feminists even cite that they didn't know who to ask, but that pretty much says that they didn't try hard enough to contact other feminists who were not middle-class white women. I thought the statement "we have been taught either to ignore our differences, or to view them as causes for separation and suspicion rather than as forces for change" was very interesting because it is the exact opposite of what women should be told. Women should celebrate their differences and fight for the common goal they all want, equal rights with men.
ReplyDeleteThe lists of privileges McIntosh lists were very eye-opening. I never considered simple aspects of daily life that many of us take for granted as an "unearned advantage" that only middle-class white women have the opportunity to partake in. Privilege #5 referring to go shopping alone and not having to worry about being being followed or harassed is very different depending on what category you fall in. Lesbians and black women most likely experience a situation like this way more than white women. McIntosh goes on to say that all of the privileges she listed should be the norm, no one should have go out of their way to make sure they get treated fairly, especially if others do not have to.
The major point I took from these articles is the fact that there are many different aspects of the feminism movement that are all coming from various angles. The feminism movement cannot be truly successful until each group is considered. We must integrate throughout races, sexualities, and ethnicitys.
The feminist movement was started when women decided to stand up for themselves and fight to have equal rights compared to men. As we learned from reading Audre Lorde’s article, The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House, many different types of women were left out from participating and getting their voices heard during this movement. Lorde explains that women of different races, sexualities, classes, and age were often discriminated against during the feminist movement. This movement was being led almost solely by white, middle-class women.
ReplyDeleteI find it very disturbing that in an act to regain women’s rights, women were neglecting their own sisters. The feminist movement was geared more toward white, heterosexual women, thus leaving out women of different sexuality and races. How would the feminist movement ever reach its full potential and have the desired impact if a large majority of its followers were not even being heard?
Also, I agree with Marissa when she talks about how McIntosh’s list of privileges was very eye-opening. I guess you never really know what you take for granted until you see someone that does not have the same rights as you. For example, on a much smaller scale, a friend of mine gets into the Jug and into Nichols every night she goes out. Instead of using a fake id, she uses her own, which clearly states that she is a freshman, and only eighteen years old. But fortunately for her, she fits into society’s view of hot and sexy, being that she has legs for days, long blonde hair, and a nice California tan. What man would ever deny her from getting into their establishment? Even though she and I are both white, her jaw-dropping looks allow her to have privileges that she isn’t even fully aware that she has. In order for women to see that all women are not treated equally, they would have to spend a day in someone else’s shoes. Like Marissa stated, the day to day life of a straight woman versus a homosexual woman could be completely different. For example, I know many straight women who get pulled over for speeding, but after giving the officer a little flirty flirt, are able to escape with no tickets. On the other hand, I have queer friends who claim that they could never get out of a ticket purely based on the fact that they dress more masculine than feminine.
I think that in order for the feminist movement to be truly affective women must accept that there are many different types of women. That no matter the differences, all women deserve a say, and that the feminist movement is fighting for equal rights for all women, not just white women.