This reading was very eye opening in the sense that there are still battles among women, even the ones who all identify as feminists.
Lorde also looks at how society views people. In today's society, there is still racism that exists even if people fail to identify it. As if this isn't bothersome enough, obviously there are people out there who believe being gay is wrong and a psychological issue. Lorde touches upon what its like to be a black, lesbian woman and how to have technically two aspects working against her. I always kind of viewed women equal amongst ourselves because we are all still fighting the same battle;equality. I never really thought of the fact that white women are viewed on a higher scale than black women. The females who are straight, white and privileged are considered to be today's accepted circle of women. Lorde states "those of us who stand outside the circle of this society's definition of acceptable women; those of us who have been forged in the crucibles of difference-those of us who are poor,who are lesbians, who are black, who are older..." This paints a picture of the women who are on the outside looking in to the women who society accepts.
I think women, and feminist women, should come together and fight as a whole for women's rights instead of separating ourselves based on race or other factors. I think in the end that is what is important.
Hey Kaitlyn,
ReplyDeleteI just read your blog and I really like what you said in the last paragraph. It is a great to think that one day we will all going to be out of that small "box" society wants to keep us in. I have great hope that one day, we will see each other for what we really are..."HUMAN BEING."
Hey, Katie. I think this post has a lot to do with what Dr. Bogad called "intersectionality." A gay, white man, although gay, is still more privileged that a gay, black man. You have to take all aspects of a person's identity in consideration when trying to understand their "place" in society. It's not something we think about often, just like you said. You view black women as women, but the truth is society unfortunately considers them "less than" white women. Like Nancy, I agree with your last statement. If women don't fight for women's rights, regardless of skin color, then who else is going to?
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