Reading through the Lorde, McIntosh and Miles articles, I found myself considering the issues that divide—and have always divided—the women’s movement. Is there a way to fight for a cause in a world where gender, race, age, economic status, and so many other factors play a role in dividing us? These issues are the very things that caused key dividing problems in the history of the women’s movement, but is there a way to learn from that history? It’s not an easy question to answer, though I think that all three readings make some good points about it. Perhaps the most important thing I got from these articles came from Lorde, who seemed to be advocating less for what to do, than for what not to do—don’t remain silent. Lorde, as a Black lesbian feminist, knows what it means to be marginalized. She has every reason to feel alienated in a society that favors and privileges everything that she’s not. However, rather than taking what she can get from the movements that already exist but barely include her, Lorde urges for us to start bridging the gaps of our differences by speaking, “for it is not difference which immobilizes us, but silence.” This might seem like a weak solution, but I really responded to the simplicity of it. The fact is, things like race and sexuality and gender are such big, complicated issues, and because they all interconnect in so many different ways in so many different people, there’s never going to be a universal answer. In this modern society, I—a white, heterosexual, upper-middle-class woman—will probably never fully grasp what it’s like to be Lorde. However, backing off from addressing some of these things that I can’t fully understand is the wrong way to go about it. I like how Lorde says, “I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood.” Saying nothing is so much worse than saying something and then having to defend it. You can learn to say something that’s right by saying something that’s wrong and then being corrected.
By speaking about her experiences with Harvard’s “The Rag” magazine, Miles gives a good example of what not speaking up can do. “The Rag” was so concerned with keeping everything equal and communized that they failed to take into account the differences and inequalities that eventually tore them apart. By the time they broke their silence, it was too late. As Miles pointed out, they had the history and should have learned from it, but they paid it no attention.
The truth is, though Miles does list a series of things they could have done to prevent the difference lines and tensions from exploding at “The Rag,” I’m not certain if they can ever be erased entirely, there or in life. The problem is with the system, as has been pointed out in earlier readings, but it’s unfortunately not as easy as saying, “Let’s change it, then.” History is a very powerful force, and this system has its roots in it. For now, I would have to agree with Lorde in saying that one of the best things we can do is just keep opening our mouths about the problems. It’s a small step, but an important one.
It is interesting to think about the divides in society and how we often think of opression in sections yet we tend to ignore the hierarchies within the groups themselves. Lorde does an excellent job of pointing out this divide and explaining the effects of ignoring this. I agree with Brittany in that the most important things came from the very short but powerful article by Lorde. We are programmed into believing that we have come a long way and that our society is improving yet we still have so many inequalities that have only changed form within racism, sexism, classism and we justify the discrimination of gays and lesbians as if others have an innate right to have more and be entitled to more in society. I think that Lorde adresses this divide the best by discussing the personal is political and how we need to come together and by thinking that we have id extremely detrimental to our progess as women. We have all stood alone at one point and that is the way that the patriarchal world would prefer. It has been true throughout history that the coming together of oppressed people is terrifying to those in power because that is the only way to bring down our current system. On the other hand, i thought that she went a little overboard in saying that we are feeding into the system by making men aware and by black women making white women aware because i still do believe that even though it would be ideal if everyone were to be aware of their priveleges, it is often impossible to know what you are doing to others, especially if you have your eye on a goal or prize. i genuinely think that most white middle class women thought they were helping all women with their fight for equality because they havent been through what women like Lorde have and sometimes it takes a slap in the face for people to realize that they are functioning in a way that is not benefical for everyone with whom you are trying to make equal. I thought the most powerful line in the article was "...then how do you deal with the fact that the women who clean your houses and tend your children while you attend conferences on feminist theory, are, for the most part, poor women and women of color?" all of these articles empasized the importance of speaking up and the power that it can bring and i agree because one of the biggest problems in our society is ignorance
ReplyDeleteMiles talks about how ignorance drove their group apart. By studying the history of feminist theory they would have definitely been better off. But I agree with Brittani that even if the members of "The Rag" had paid close attention to history they still would have faced problems. The system obviously creates problems in these kind of situations but I think they could have beaten it if they tried harder. From the beginning the women should have focused on having one set vision that they all strived for. From the start this group was already set for failure. I felt that even Miles was guilty of participating in the system and weakening the group. She mentions how her and another black woman suggested to change the name of the group. While the other members could have been more open to the idea, it was unreasonable for Miles to expect a change just because black women felt that "feminist" was a "white, even racist movement". Miles had been in the group and could attest that it wasn't at all a racist movement. She kept talking about mainstream definitions of feminism and how bad it was. I just really had a problem with this. These women were too worried about themselves and the "definitions" or "presumptions" that the system makes up. Miles even mentions a black woman who felt resentment towards some of the wealthy, white women in the group because she didn't feel as powerful as them. This especially annoyed me because her motivation was because she didn't feel as powerful as the wealthy women. I really have no idea how exactly any of this went down but just from what Miles says it seems to be a problem rooted in the individual. Problems with "cliques and inner circles" as Miles called it are bound to occur in any group. I just think that class and racial issues in a situation like this are unacceptable. I play football and I don't know the percentage but white men make up the majority of the team. Sure there are little problems here and there with different groups of friends. But when it comes down to it we are all working for one goal, we all respect each other, and we swallow our pride in order to get it done. Maybe I would see it differently if I wasn't a middle class white man, but I guess it I am just a product of my environment.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Amanda and Brittany because the problems that our country faces are results of no one speaking up and taking a stance. Lorde does a great job in the article by addressing this. Our country is nowhere near the side of improving disparities that exist in the United States. I would have to disagree that just speaking about these problems can create an ultimate solution. Although we speak about good solutions none of them ever go into action. Reason being, only those in power have the power to change things with in their system. I see nothing being done to change our minorities current positions in society. I like the ideas of the articles because they are somewhat creating awareness. I don't agree because they are not getting at the heart of the problems to really create solutions.
ReplyDeleteHi all,
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts on these articles, the steps that they propose, and the benefits and shortcomings of these steps. Together, you raise a couple of very good points: first, that much as we might claim that these issues are systemic, we also need to think about our individual relationship with them. As Trey points out, what role does pride/defensiveness play? Second, this question of what constitutes activism and change that Charles brings up. You're right: speaking up is not an ultimate solution. How do we move from speaking up to action?