Feminism and Homelessness
Coming from the United States, I had the presumed assumption that feminism was broader of a concept than it actually is and I can most definitely say that I grew my knowledge and can conclude that feminism is more complex based on the following topics that will be highlighted throughout this piece: culture and social dynamics, politics in the liberal state, equality and difference, contesting multiple oppressions, men, masculinity, and feminism, and using the state.
Culture and Social Dynamics
Prior to this course, I knew that culture, social dynamics and norms played a vital role in women's oppression. I come from an activist background, so a prominent argument about gender is the fact that sex is something you're born with, while gender is a spectrum that is socially constructed. This continues to stand out to me because gender and culture impact one another continuously based on the notion that "women face a severe sanction in a world dominated by men '' (Bartky, 1990). The relationship between gender and culture impacts how I think and practice feminism because it gives me a stronger argument to use against people that are sexist and misogynistic. Key lessons I will take with me are to be more inclusive of other genders in the activist space as they can experience sexism and misogyny as well. The main question I will take with me is "what can I do to be more inclusive of other marginalized voices?" I will hold onto these questions as this learning process is an adaptation overtime.
Politics in the Liberal State
I knew that there were different concepts to understanding the liberal state as it privileges objectivity, neutrality, dispassionately as opposed to care, and attention to particularity because it was constructed according to the male perspective. Based on MacKinnon (1983), the male construction of the liberal state is systemic and hegemonic, meaning men coin themselves as "natural" leaders. This correlates to the dominance and submission notion between men and women as women are seen as sexual objects or conquests to men. This stands out to me because this is an honest historical perspective of how women were treated by men centuries ago, and, unfortunately, in some cultures this perspective of women is still utilized. To understand the history of the subjection of women and enforcement of patriarchy is to understand why feminism was needed and is still needed today. Key lessons I will take with me are to base the argument of feminism on the historical implications of why it was needed in the first place and how it transformed over time. The main question I will take with me is "how has feminism changed over time?" I will move forward with this question by continuing my work as a feminist by protesting wrongdoings that are perpetuated towards women.
Undermine the Gender Binary
Prior to this course, I knew that the gender binary was embedded in every aspect of society: our language and what we produce. Based on Butler (2013), "gender is an identity constituted in time and instituted through the stylization of the body." In other words, gender is a social construct and can be infinite which shapes how we think about ourselves and how we act in the world. Additionally, there is a sex and gender system which indicates the differences between men and women as they have been exacerbated to serve social needs. To understand why women are oppressed as women and having to be women is to understand the feminism's role in our daily lives. Key lessons I will take with me are to incorporate all gendered voices when discussing feminism. The main question I will take with me is "how have gender interpretations and presentation changed over time?" I will move forward with this question by not assuming people's identities simply based on appearance, rather mind my own business because, at the end of the day, their appearance does not affect me whatsoever.
Contest Multiple Oppressions
Prior to this course, I knew that intersection was a viable aspect to activism because it involves all marginalized voices within excluded communities; identity politics embodies oppression. For example, based on Combahee River Collective (1977), there is a lot of racism in the white women's/feminist movement, primarily because they exclude Black and Indigenous women from the forefront of the conversation. Further, Green (2017) elaborates the importance of identity by "drawing on core elements of Indigenous cultures through relationships framed as a sacred responsibility" because they are the most excluded voices in the movement even though "Indigenous feminism is needed for decolonization." To understand why there is a lack of intersectionality within the feminist movement is to understand the significance of creating a safe and inclusive space for all feminists to unite against oppression. Key lessons I will take with me are to incorporate all identities and backgrounds when discussing feminism. The main question I will take with me is "how does identity correlate with feminism?" I will move forward with this question by amplifying voices of other backgrounds and not speaking out of turn in the activist space.
Men, Masculinity, Feminism
Prior to this course, I took my home university's course called Advanced Masculine Theory. I regained the knowledge about the intersection between men and feminism and how we can think about the role men have when it comes to women's rights. Based on Kimmel (0052), the reading I was most comfortable since I have engaged with him many times in my previous course, I got to relearn about gender equity and the role men have within it, in addition to the ideas of how masculine ideologies have remained similar over time, being “man enough”, and public fatherhood. To involve men in the feminist space is to help prevent women's oppressions because it makes feminism more comprehensible to men by engaging critically with masculinity, alerting other men to how they can help address problems, and supporting feminist policies. Key lessons I will take with me are to make feminism more accessible to men by allowing them to be involved rather than them taking over the entire movement. The main question I will take with me is "how can I help men become involved in the movement without them taking it over?" This will take a lot of theorizing on my end to prevent the takeover from happening.
Using the State
Prior to this course, and coming from the USA, I knew that the government structure was always inherently patriarchal. Based on Connell (1990), the concepts of sexuality and gender are often excluded from the discourse of society, unless you specialize in the field of study, like me. Connell elaborates that the "state is a structure of power in which bureaucracy is a gendered hierarchy," meaning that there are different feminisms under different ruling powers: socialism, liberal, Marxist, etc. In a case study of Scandinavia, Borchorst and Siim (2008) discuss how the region "moves beyond equality difference in feminism" by "emphasizing gender sameness," which is a new group of policies never seen before. To create a utopia like this is to continue the practice and progress in the development of feminist thought and make it accessible to all. Key lessons I will take with me are to incorporate all voices and backgrounds in the conversation of feminist theory so we can create a similar utopia. The main question I will take with me is "how can the United States follow Scandinavia's footsteps in creating a gender-equal utopia?" Hopefully, this will be done in the next few decades once Congress is full of like-minded individuals who believe in gender equity.
In conclusion, each week's material grew my knowledge allowing me to conclude that feminism is more complex based on my favorite following topics: culture and social dynamics, politics in the liberal state, equality and difference, contesting multiple oppressions, men, masculinity, and feminism, and using the state. All of these theories correlate with one another and will grant me the opportunity to think about them and apply these lessons, ideas, and questions once I return home. This course reignited my passion as I am in the process of learning how to empower myself and others throughout the collective feminist journey.
References
Bartky, Sandra. 1990. “Foucault, Femininity, and the Modernization of Patriarchal Power.” In Femininity and Domination: Studies in the Phenomenology of Oppression. London, UK: Routledge, pp. 63-82.
Borchorst, Anette and Birte Siim. 2008. “Woman-friendly policies and state feminism: Theorizing Scandinavian gender equality.” Feminist Theory Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 207-224.
Butler, Judith. 2013. “Performative Acts and Gender Constitution: An Essay in Phenomenology and Feminist Theory.” In Feminist Theory Reader: Local and Global Perspectives. London, Routledge, pp. 419-430
Combahee River Collective. 1977. “A Black Feminist Statement.” In Home Girls: A Black Feminist Anthology. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, pp. 264-274.
Connell, RW. 1990. “The State, Gender and Sexual Politics: Theory and Appraisal.” Theory and Society Vol. 19, No. 5, pp. 507-544.
Green, Joyce. 2017. “Taking more Account of Indigenous Feminism.” In Making Space for Indigenous Feminism. Nova Scotia: Fernwood Publishing, pp. 1-20.
Kimmel, Michael. 2005. “Why Men Should Support Gender Equity.” Women Studies Review, pp. 102-114.
MacKinnon, Catharine. 1983. “Feminism, Marxism, Method, and the State: Toward Feminist Jurisprudence.” Signs Vol. 8, No. 4, pp. 635-658.