Feminist theologians are continuously trying to reclaim past female experiences from traditional sources and envision new ideologies and symbols from alternative sources. In terms of reclaiming from traditional sources, feminist theologians either try to create one view of tradition that’s right and not sexist, use non-sexist parts of a given religious text to criticize sexist components, or, if they had enough and understand that their tradition can never be change, they suggest forgetting about it and moving on. Another important aspect of feminist theology is reformation of traditional sources. Reforming time-honored texts and envisioning new ideologies with alternative and non-traditional sources is considered constructive theology. This is essential because without reform, there remain the sexist symbols and language in the long-established religious texts and this will continually legitimate sexist social practices and attitudes which will always lead to classism, racism, and sexism.
The words “Secularism” and “Religion” are used to describe abstract concepts with subjective definitions. As distinct as they are, they also act as mirrors to each other; as one cannot survive without the other to push against, no matter what definition is given to them. These words as defined by various writers, feminists, scholars and historians can be used to define and query these two categories. Gross, Castelli, Cady & Fessenden, Mahmood, Braude and Moallem use examples, culture, and opinions to define each in a different way. While they may be categories, secularism and religion are also answers to some of mankind’s biggest questions; but ultimately they are one in the same and seek to unite followers under a common cause.
The analysis focuses on how religion has influenced on this dimension of the welfare state.” As Morgan underlines, gender differences in social policies are explained by women’s movements, by the pressures generated by social structural changes on the welfare state and by ideologies. Given that organized religion is an important source of ideology, we can then say that religion has had a fundamental role in the shaping of the relationship between state, family and gender. In fact organized religions “have sought to maintain their position as the dominant arbiters of community values and morality with giving a great attention over child and family affairs.” An example of religious influence on public welfare policies is the maintenance of the status quo perpetuated by the Christian democracy’s party. The temporal dimension of the welfa... ... middle of paper ... ...by Kimberly J. Morgan, Stanford University Press, 2006 • Working Mothers and the Welfare State by Kimberly J. Morgan Review by: Jason Beckfield Social Forces, Vol. 86, No.
Papa beats me till I’m crippled and mama locks me up in he coal cellar for three nights at a time” (Wedekind 8). It is her next line that suggests exploitation; “Sometimes I think they’d miss something if they didn’t have a disgraceful brat like me!” (Wedekind 8) Miss what exactly, having a punching bag? [Having someone to take their frustrations out on?] Even though it’s subtle Wendla is being exploited by her parents, she’s being used in an unjust manner because of their overwhelming fervor. The next case of subtle exploitation seen in Spring Awakening is also parental.
While being told the story, the monster asks Conor to join in the chaos. However, during this time, Conor is unknowingly wrecking his grandmother’s house, tearing it limb from limb. Unconsciously, he may be taking his anger out on the world. Up to this point Conor has been keeping everything he has been feeling concealed on the inside. He is taking out his frustration out on his grandmother’s belongings.
Strong contrasts can also be made in relation to the differences between Safie's development as a foreign character and her subjectivity as a female character in relation to those of the other female characters of the book. While the other female characters lack depth into how their religion and culture affect them, Safie's religion and Arabian culture sculpt her into a subject with feminist qualities juxtaposed against her fulfillment of European domestic ideology. Many theorists, such as Benveniste who said, "Consciousness of self [or subjectivity] is only possible if it is experienced by contrast," argue that one's subjectivity can only exist in their relation to the Other(85). The subject's relation this "Other" depends on which aspect is being examined. For example, when dealing with gender, it would be the relationship between Man and... ... middle of paper ... ...it fulfilled the domestic ideology of the European society.
However, the themes and struggles presented in her fiction as well as her characters represent the experiences of many Asian-American writers and individuals experience and do address their need to construct an identity that includes both Asian and American cultural ideals. Tan's mothers and daughters experience and strive to attain what Asian- Americans such as myself work hard to achieve. Rather than simply presenting situations involving cultural tension. Amy Tan, through oral and mythical connections to the Chinese and American cultures, gives readers a glimpse into an Asian-American mythology, a culture comprised of two separate, often opposing ideals. This is not to say that anyone not of Asian descent can enjoy her fiction.
However, the themes and struggles presented in her fiction as well as her characters represent the experiences of many Asian-American writers and individuals experience and do address their need to construct an identity that includes both Asian and American cultural ideals. Tan's mothers and daughters experience and strive to attain what Asian- Americans such as myself work hard to achieve. Rather than simply presenting situations involving cultural tension. Amy Tan, through oral and mythical connections to the Chinese and American cultures, gives readers a glimpse into an Asian-American mythology, a culture comprised of two separate, often opposing ideals. This is not to say that anyone not of Asian descent can enjoy her fiction.
Although society advocates believing in a ‘sameness’ between people who are black or white, individuals are still organized by race, class, gender and sexuality into social hierarchies. These hierarchies essentially formulate stigmas that suppress certain races and discriminate against them. Caucasia written by Danzy Senna is focused around a young mixed girl, Birdie, who encounters obstacles in her life that help her form her own perceptions about issues regarding class, race, and sexuality. These obstacles fundamentally shape her to have a unique outlook on society where she begins to question white privilege and also sympathize towards the mistreatment of black individuals. Senna explores the fundamental problems that are associated with race, and the struggles that a diasporic individual faces due to the restrictions set by society.
The author supports her criticism with the use of personal stories of young girls of color, namely, Salecia, Pleajhai, Mikia, and Tanisha along with numerical data as examples. According to Crenshaw, even though the White House, through their signature gender-and-race targeted initiatives address racism, they still tend to undermine and ignore black girls. Okazawa-Rey and Kirk define racism as racial prejudice and discrimination that are supported by institutional power and authority, where there is an existence of the ideology of white superiority and is used to the advantages of white people and the disadvantages of people of color (Okazawa-Rey and Kirk G-5). This leads Crenshaw, to use the next theory, sexism, as a base to elaborate her article, thus naming it, ‘Black Girls Matter.’ Sexism can be defined as the “attitudes, actions, and institutional practices that subordinate individuals because of their gender” (Okazawa-Rey and Kirk