Blog 6 Response

1. 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?

RESPONSE: 

I think it would have greatly impacted the movement.  We are constantly surrounding our self with media influences regardless of whether or not we're aware of it.  Even if we don't think we're paying attention to advertisements and social issues in the media, most people are influenced by them to some degree.  Having a greater knowledge about the movement would've strengthened its current members and perhaps encouraged other members to join.  While I would like to assume the best, I don't know if it technically would've "allowed" women to gain equality.  It's so hard to imagine that one thing, like media exposure, would've led to an entire revolution, but maybe that's me being too realistic.  Just to put into perspective how influential the media is, this little video hadn't even been heard of until it hit the world wide web earlier last week.  While the organization has made itself known for awhile, nobody even knew who this "Kony" character was until everyone started talking about it.  This is just one example that shows how fast and influential the media can be. 

2. 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?

RESPONSE:

Similarly like the beginning of your post eluded to, I think the minority women in America were silenced.  Whether these women were racially, religiously, or sexually different than the white middle-class women, they each had characteristics nontraditional of the dominant group.  I think there would be a broader knowledge and understanding of sexism, sexual exploitation, and oppression had these silenced women's opinions been heard.  Although it may not have totally ended these issues, we would be more likely to see them as a larger and more globally encompassing problem in our country.  With this clearer understanding, I believe there would have been a greater push to change our beliefs and behaviors on the subject.  I think it would make global interactions more of a fluid action.  I don't think we would see race, religion, and cultural differences as much as we would see a unified cause and movement.  Below is a video by Women's Campaign International.  It's an international campaign to give opportunities for women to actively participate in public advocacy, market and political processes.  Such a campaign seems extremely relevant to hooks' ideas and arguments. 

3.  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?

RESPONSE:

I'm sure it honestly depends the woman.  I know many stay at home moms who are more active and do more "work" then some people working 9-5.  Just because the work doesn't earn a salary for the family, staying at home and raising children helps to maintain strength and unity in the family.  Without a caretaker, it wouldn't be as easy to have familial success.  On the other hand, I'm sure there are women who stay home with their children, but wish they still had the time and ability to have a career.  n these cases, however, I believe there is a determining point.  At some point, they decide where their priorities and happiness are and make a decision based on that idea.