Divisions within feminism through differences are demobilizing the necessary movement required to create change. In Audre Lorde’s piece, “The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House”, Lorde uses her experience at NYU’s Humanities conference to address how racism and homophobia are present in feminism. Furthermore, she believes not all women of a particular identity share the same experiences, so to change the patriarchy, feminists must work together and use their differences as a uniting factor rather than something to categorize and separate women. Through the reference to metaphor- the master house and the master’s tools- and the use of pathos, Lorde ensures to stress that differences between people need to be used as empowerment …show more content…
The first time this was mentioned: “What does it mean when the tools of a racist patriarchy are used to examine the fruits of that same patriarchy?” (Lorde 1), Lorde uses the master’s tools to represent how when someone is in a place of privilege, it is harder to make changes to the system because they cannot see or experience the problem. The way Lorde incorporates the metaphor with her point allows readers to think critically about the problem of feminism that lacks representation without her directly stating it. She continues to state how using the master's tools or the lack of representation “may allow us temporarily to beat him at his own game” (Lorde 1), which isn’t a permanent, reliable solution. To understand this quote, the audience must have followed along and understood the beginning of this piece. By doing this, the audience has to quickly interpret the message, while relating to feminism. Lorde continues to use this metaphor and describes the role of discrimination in the lack of progress in areas of feminism with the “old and primary tool of all oppressors to keep the oppressed occupied with the master’s concerns” (Lorde 2). By indirectly refering to something allows the audience to critically analyze what she is saying to come up with their interpretation, which will resonate with them more rather than having the audience …show more content…
For example, when discussing dividing different women based on differences, she refers to the supporters as the “grossest reformist” (Lorde 1). The way she uses a powerful term- grossest- strengthens the overall argument presented in that sentence because it presents a sense of disgust towards it. Then, to further convey her argument, she uses stronger words to demonstrate her passion, frustration, and anger to describe being different as a “raw and powerful connection from which our personal power is forged” (Lorde 1). The words: raw, powerful, and forged all help to strongly emphasize that differences are unique, individualistic traits that were obtained through personal challenges. In the end, to suggest change, Lorde urges the audience to use their differences as a source of empowerment rather than a source of fear between people (Lorde 2). By ending with this push, she hopes that the audience feels more compelled to take her advice. Lorde’s genuine emotions are apparent throughout the piece, which allows the audience to empathize with
Some may live through being sexually abused, live in extreme poverty, or even fall victim of being physical or verbally abused. Whatever the reason is, this book shows an outlet for these struggles. The only way we can help others fight these intersectionality issues is by knowing your privilege and using it to help the oppressed with no voice. In Brittney Cooper’s article “Feminism’s ugly internal clash: Why its future is not up to the white women” she states that “the future of feminism is not up to the white women. Not by themselves anyway”.
In fact, we emphatically rejected it. Everything was so muddled, so full of barriers and obstacles (Page 138).” The rhetorical device used here is decorum because this statement appeals to the absolute core belief of being a feminist; female empowerment. The author realizes how unfair this world is to women and she wishes to defy its sexist standards and be the best she can be while changing the world. Determination and leadership are qualities that hold eminence to feminists.
Another quote that shows this well is “What woman here is so enamored of her own oppression that she cannot see her heelprint in another woman's face?” She asks the audience why they are so interested in seeing women hate each other. This brings the audience out of the ‘story’ and starts to connect back to real life. It is also successful because of this. One last quote to show this is “What women’s term of oppressions have become precious and necessary to her as a ticket into the fold of the righteous,away from the cold wind of self-scrutiny?”
The generic feminist movement consists of “white, middle-class heterosexual women” (Tong 42). These women focus on their needs, and neglect the specific needs of many women of color, who are often of a lower socioeconomic standing. White feminists focus on liberating the oppressive “housewife role,” (Tong 214) and fail to even attempt to include minority women who may in fact dream of a life in which they were able to stay home with their children. White feminists “fail to realize that it is possible to oppress people by ignoring their differences” (Tong 214). This issue makes it difficult for many non-white women to relate to or desire to be a part of the feminist movement.
In the 1980’s black women are faced with a lot pressure in society, Because women of color are both women and racial minorities, they face more pressure in which lower economic opportunities due to their race and their gender. This pressure is reflected both in the jobs available to them and in their lower pay. Also because they are women of color they are likely to be the giver of the house and also within the families. Through the use of anecdotes,rhetorical questions, anaphora, ethos and metaphors, "In The Uses of Anger: Women Responding to Racism, Audre Lorde argues that women of color need to respond to racism with anger spurred from their fear and that not a bad thing depends on how anger is portrayed.
Growing up, we were taught to look at the world in juxtaposition. This outlook forces us to order things such as race, sex, and socioeconomic status in categorical or hierarchical terms. In order to be on top, someone has to be beneath you, so those who are oppressors focus on maintaining their positions while still keeping the oppressed under their thumb. In the reading, Lorde speaking more on feminism but I feel like this is inclusive of men as well, but to me, this passage gives a sense of connectivity between various issues and how none of them can truly be addressed without acknowledging the others. This quote shows how oppression is largely universal while demonstrating how uncomfortable topics should not be avoided for fear of said discomfort.
(Lorde 1979) Off the bat Lorde is building her credibility by showing her vocabulary and her ability to convey her thoughts. In this specific quote she uses a certain diction that one would typically use if one were dignified. In the last sentence, “The absence of these considerations weakens any feminist discussion of the personal and the political. ”(Lorde 1979) Her use of this sentence convinces
It is crucial for feminism, specifically white feminists, to acknowledge the shortcomings of the movement. Kendall argues that white women must recognize their privilege and how it can be used to perpetuate oppression. She notes that white women are not just “passive beneficiaries” of racist oppression. Instead, they have actively participated in white supremacy and racism. Throughout history, the myth of white women lacking the power to oppress others has been perpetuated.
During this week, we have covered numerous topics, none more prominent than the oppression of women. Everyone had different opinions, allowing me to take into account different views on the issue. In one of the texts we examined, “Oppression”, Marilyn Frye, a philosopher, debates the subjugation of women. She states the cultural customs that causes oppression of women. I do agree with her view that women are oppressed, but I do not agree that it is just women.
As with all theories, this feminist approach to Louise Halfe’s “Body Politics” does not come without its flaws. While it can be argued that this poem criticizes the performativity of feminine gender roles in a patriarchal society, this cannot be proven definitively without knowing the author’s original intentions. Furthermore, the poem does not give its readers enough information to conclude that the society the women live in is in fact a patriarchal society. This becomes evident, as there is no reference to any masculine figure – so any assumptions about the masculine-dominant culture are purely speculative. It is possible that Halfe wrote this poem in an attempt to challenge the gender binary, however one stands to question how successfully she is in doing so.
It either includes all women, or it’s not feminism” (Makers). She frequently reminds individuals that it was disproportionately women of color, especially black women, who created the feminist movement. She contends that erasing black women’s integral contributions disgraces the founders of the movement and eradicates the efforts of feminism’s true founding
Although critics claim that Beyonce’s album portrays the black woman as the ‘victim,’ Lemonade instead empowers black women to freely express themselves and their ‘anger’ because there is no greater oppression than suffering in silence. Truly, Bell Hooks’ claim that “much of the album stays within a conventional stereotypical framework, where the black woman is always a victim,” is false and insensitive. As an artist, Beyonce crafts music that resonates with women, especially black women, who have suffered pain due to patriarchal ideals that infiltrate the household as well. The
Black women are treated less than because of their ascribed traits, their gender and race, and are often dehumanized and belittled throughout the movie. They are treated like slaves and are seen as easily disposable. There are several moments throughout the film that show the racial, gender, and class inequalities. These moments also show exploitation and opportunity hoarding. The Help also explains historical context of the inequality that occurred during that time period.
Gender equality has been a worldwide issue for many years now. Different figures, such as Emma Watson, have been educating society on this ever-so-present issue. Emma Watson has been using her platform to help teach and make known this topic to people, specifically by putting her time and into her feminism campaign, ‘HeForShe’, and giving speeches on the topic. Emma Watson uses the techniques of ethos and pathos to convey her purpose. Emma Watson uses ethos to illustrate her ideas effectively and show herself as credible.
From the outset, literature and all forms of art have been used to express their author’s feelings, opinions, ideas, and believes. Accordingly, many authors have resorted to their writing to express their feminist ideas, but first we must define what feminism is. According to the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, feminism is “the belief that women should be allowed the same rights, power, and opportunities as men and be treated in the same way, or the set of activities intended to achieve this state”. As early as the fifteenth century is possible to find feminist writings. Centuries later, and although she never referred to herself as one, the famous English writer Virginia Woolf became one of the greatest feminist writers of the twentieth