Feminist Frontiers
Feminist FrontiersFeminism is defined as an organized activity on
behalf of women?s rights and interests. To me,
this statement encompasses all women; regardless
of race, class, ethnicity, sexual preference, age
or religion. While I agree that these factors do
influence and shape a woman?s individual
experiences, I believe that women everywhere are
oppressed just for being biologically different
than males. In Feminist Frontiers, it is stated
that ?women everywhere suffer restrictions,
oppression, and discrimination because they are
living in patriarchal societies? (1). Why then,
are many feminists centered on these factors? I
believe that in order for there to be a successful
women?s liberation movement, all women, regardless
of race, class, etc., must come together in order
to achieve equality.
In reaction to the Million Man March orchestrated
by Farrakhan, Joan Morgan states, ??moved by the
awesome sight of so many black men of different
classes and sexual orientations gathered together
peacefully for the sole purpose of bettering
themselves? (51). If African-American men of
different classes and sexual preferences can
congregate to demonstrate a common goal, then why
can?t women seem to do this? If black men, ?the
one group in this country most likely to murder
each other?(Morgan, 51) can manage to show a
unified front, then why can?t ?feminists? seem to
get past class and race for the betterment of all
females?
Pharr seems to agree with this, asserting that
racism has been one of the major causes of the
failure of the women?s movement to make permanent
and meaningful change (25). The women?s
liberation movement is beginning to gain strength
again because there are women who are now
expressing ideas about ?liberation for all women?
(Pharr, 26). I agree with Pharr, that women have
to examine racism, classism, etc to see how
everything is connected (26), yet women cannot get
stuck on these issues...
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