I agree with hooks's statements about feminism and love. I disagree with the early notions that love had to be done away with, but understand where these women were coming from. However, I really like this statement by hooks: "But I still wanted the love of a good man, and I still believed I could find that love" (hooks, 2000, p. 101). I think it is possible to find love where there is mutual respect and power, without the man dominating over the woman in the name of patriarchy. "Mutual partnership is the foundation of love" (hooks, 2000, p. 104).
I think there are some patriarchal views about relationships in the interview with Patty, such as when she mentions that women want to be able to stay at home with their children. However, I think she also challenges that by saying that you need to have your own financial independence, meaning the woman would not be relying on the man. Having watched the show, I think that Patty's views both align with and challenge hooks. Patty works with millionaires who are women, where the women then has the financial power. However, she is also still "old-fashioned" in the fact that the men are the one who plan the dates, and the men will get chewed out if they don't treat the woman right.
Chapter 18
I've never read the Bible, so I don't know of any specific scriptures that show patriarchal ideology. However, I think it's interesting that when people are thinking of "strong Bible names" for their children, they are always male names and not female names. I don't really understand the Madonna song, but I guess it could be a reference to religion with her saying she's keeping her baby, depending on their religious views about having a baby (with what I'm assuming is) before marriage.
I think it's also interesting how religion is often used to promote a strong heterosexual identity. The following video is something I saw on CNN.com yesterday about GLBT students at Brigham Young University (BYU) speaking up as part of the "It Gets Better" campaign. Not completely related to the discussion at hand, but I wanted to share it because I think the message is pretty powerful.
It Gets Better at Brigham Young University
(byuitgetsbetter, 2012)
Chapter 19
Yes, I do think this is true that some of the feminist knowledge and teachings are in such an elitist language that they are not accessible to everyone. I think this goes back to our discussion on feminist education for critical consciousness. bell hooks (2000) suggests things such as books on tape, songs, radio, and television as ways to spread feminist knowledge (p. 23). I think these forms could also work for children. However, I also believe that some of this education needs to come from (and not only come from, but be MODELED by... talk is cheap) parents, who serve as strong role models for their children.
hooks, b. (2000). Feminism is for everybody: Passionate politics.
I didn't think about media like music and television, great thinking!
ReplyDeleteNatasha you have some great points. I like that you noticed that Patty's views both aligned with and challenged hooks' views. I also saw that but you articulated it well. I also agree with your emphasis on feminist education something that kids see in action by adults and not just talked about. Nice work.
ReplyDeleteNatasha,
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that you put something with the It Gets Better campaign - and I really think it does relate to the issue of religion, especially since it's with regards to somewhere that is solely driven by religious beliefs. You know, I thought that college was the place where LGBTQA students could come out and be safe. But seeing that video with the disclaimer that BYU is always rated at unfriendly in the eyes of LGBTQA students really opened my eyes to the ways that people are still kept "in the closet" and reasons they're still afraid to "come out"...
Great addition!