Blog 6 Response

If working class women had received more attention from the media and made their struggle known, how do you think this would have impacted the feminist movement? Do you think this would have allowed women to gain equality in areas such as household duties and wage?


     Had working and lower class women been given more attention, I think it would have exposed the hypocrisy and double-standard present in the movement. Although women were fighting for equality, the internal representation provided across different identities such as class and race (as discussed in chapter 10), were severely distorted and unfair. As hooks discusses, challenging the oppression of difference and confronting stagnant views associated with "second-class" citizens provided for a more realistic, honest sisterhood among feminists. No doubt this would have ushered in a far less ignorant perspective in terms of the responsibilities and rights of women both within and outside of the household.   


Even though the global feminist movement has traditionally been headed by white, privileged women, it is important to note that women of the United States have helped lower rates of sexism and sexual exploitations in some nations.  Through enforcing “white supremacist capitalist patriarchy” many women in the feminist movement were silenced.  What types of women do you believe were silenced?  If these silenced members’ opinions were voiced what effect do you think they would have on nations struggling with sexism, sexual exploitation, and oppression?  Would this change the global interactions we see today, or would the world function similarly?


     I think the groups of women silenced are any of those that don't fall into the upper-class, white, empowered identity. I feel many of these groups would bring social justice given the chance, but its not as simple as telling everyone sexual exploitation is immoral. Many of the Eastern European countries that highlight this issue simply don't have the cultural perspective and economic infrastructure necessary to integrate women into the workforce in a way that would impact the problem. I think the issue also arises from the demand on these women and the sex itself; so a reevaluation in the way people view the act and role of sex should be brought to light. In contrast, many countries don't posses the same cultural ideology as we do, and may not have such a prevailing patriarchal perspective. Therefore women don't feel the need to isolate themselves from men or form a "sisterhood" so much as simply a collective acceptance as human beings. Similarly, men in those cultures don't feel the need to undermine, sexualize, or humiliate women. These individuals may already feel like they posses equality and a satisfying family dynamic, and may not want white, false-feminist views of "anti-men" imposed on their culture. 
     I don't believe the change would bring further globalization or anything, but I feel it would impact the respective areas pursuant to whatever change took place. 


Do you think when women stay home and do the household work, do you think they get
depressed because they aren’t making any money to help out in the family?


     No, I don't believe women get depressed focusing on household work or being a "stay-at-home mom". Going back to one of my previous post, I'd say "if you're happy, you're happy". Women certainly don't need to conform to a nuclear family ideal where their only responsibility is to please their husbands and tend to the home. However they have no responsibility to themselves as a result of a post-feminist time period to pursue a life-consuming career either. Wether a woman feels the need to stay at home, or dominate a career path, she should do it unapologetically. The following clip helps to illustrate my point.