Audio File:
1. This clip discusses the Hillary Clinton campaign and whether or not she is ready for presidency. The host and Pat Schroeder in the clip mention that Clinton said that this is the “highest and hardest glass ceiling” she'll be breaking through. The youtube clip that they played illustrates the sexism that Clinton faces in this election. The men in the clip say that Clinton will remind men of their wives when she speaks and that she would not be strong enough in the presidency because she cried. Schroeder explains that if Clinton speaks about the sexism she is facing she would be seen as a whiny women, but if a racism comment was made about Obama then people would speak out and it would still be okay. There is a a lot of sexism in the nation and with Clinton running for president, it is exemplified. Clinton represents all the women in every workforce that are trying to “break the highest and hardest glass ceiling.” In this election race sex has overcome the race issue by far. Many people do not see Clinton being a good president because of her sex; she is a women and emotional and therefore not equipped to handle the pressures of the White House.
2. This clip discusses the race and gender issue Clinton and Obama face in their race. Host and guest, Gloria Steinem discuss that the two issues separate the two milestones that Clinton and Obama are making. Having a black male and a white female running for the vote is huge for women and African American activists and instead of working together to make one of the elected, the media has turned them against each other. As Steinem states it is not a “either or” situation. As long as one of the two gets the nomination then American has crossed a line that has never been crossed before. The “White Male Only sign” on the White House would be taken down and opens doors for future blacks and women to join the race for presidency. This is a fact, the American people play Clinton and Obama against each other, when instead if they supported each other fairly, at least something would change in history, which is what both of them are doing. Race and gender should not be a war. It should not matter what race or what gender our president is, but since America was founded the stereotypical president has been a white male, making people believe that there is no room for anything else. This year will make history and hopefully that stereotypical mold will be broken and America can open its eyes to new possibilities.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Blog #14
Textbook: Chapter 10
1. Women were upset and would not take the inequality anymore, therefore the revival of feminism came about. Women were upset that they were doing so much work involving political campaigning and such but never getting to those leadership positions. The “glass ceiling” was in their way, while the men shot right through it. Women were making and pouring coffee while the men wrote speeches and articles and did the work credit would be given to. Women were tired of not being appreciated in the ways they should have been. Since Martin Luther King passed away in the late 1960s, nonviolent protests ceased and African Americans had to find another way to voice their needs. Black and other minority women needed to take a stand for themselves and began their own feminists groups as well.
2. The protest at the Miss American pageant shows us that many women were, well, pissed off. I think their anger got to them a little too much and they went over-board. It showed that women were really upset about the stereotypes that were placed on women. Feminists wanted to be equal to men, but certain things in society, such as Playboy and the pageant, made that impossible. But what really is impossible is to change every single womens' opinions. These women who participated in this protest only created more publicity for the Miss America pageant instead of putting a stop to it. Personally, I think the Miss America pageant is a little silly and degrading, but if it makes some people happy, then what is so wrong with that? The women participating in these protests should be working on their education and their people skills.
3. The war of the sexes will most likely never end. Women and men will be competing for centuries to come. As more and more women gain better education, more of them will be fighting men with the same education for positions in the work force. I think a large disadvantage for women is their ability to bear children. That is just a personal opinion and assumption, thought. Many young women entering the work force will eventually take time off to have and raise children and I think employers know this from the start. Losing an employee later on and having to replace her might be more difficult than hiring a male who will not have to do the same thing. So the war between sexes will never end because men and women are just to different to coexist without conflict.
Source Interpretation
Textbook document
4. Mary Tyler Moore was able to accomplish more substantial things in her life than did the women of “Sex and the City”. Moore's TV show gave more hope and promises to her future. Moore had male friends and not just “ 'gay boyfriends' “ as Orenstein puts it, making her seem like she may be a more well rounded female. I feel that Orenstein is trying to say that Moore does not need a man in her life, whereas the ladies on “Sex and the City” need to constantly have a male present in their lives that gives them pleasure. Moore's story was not all about sex and love, but more feminism in that it was more about her career and her life. Orenstein values education and her career, not men and sex, and that is what shapes her judgment.
5. I would expect Rebecca Walker is disagree with Orenstein. Orenstein puts down the women in “Sex and the City” for always wanting and needing sexual partners. Walker embraces their feelings toward sex. Walker is telling women to be sexually active so to grow and learn. Women need those sexual encounters to know more about themselves and their bodies. Walker is a huge advocate for premarital sex so that women know how to love their partners, but most of all, how to love themselves, which is what she feels is the new wave of feminism.
6.I think that “Sex and the City” paints a realistic picture of the lives of many women within the United States. It is not a perfect picture for every woman though. Many women are just like the ladies on the show who have careers and friends and a healthy sex life. But with the health risks that come with engaging in that much free sex, I think many women hold back. As Walker said, women are called sluts and whore for having a lot of sex, so I believe that keeps them from being as sexually active as the TV show characters as well. I do believe though that sexual liberty has gained enough ground for all young women to be sexually active, but that comes a high price that we women have to pay, where men do not.
1. Women were upset and would not take the inequality anymore, therefore the revival of feminism came about. Women were upset that they were doing so much work involving political campaigning and such but never getting to those leadership positions. The “glass ceiling” was in their way, while the men shot right through it. Women were making and pouring coffee while the men wrote speeches and articles and did the work credit would be given to. Women were tired of not being appreciated in the ways they should have been. Since Martin Luther King passed away in the late 1960s, nonviolent protests ceased and African Americans had to find another way to voice their needs. Black and other minority women needed to take a stand for themselves and began their own feminists groups as well.
2. The protest at the Miss American pageant shows us that many women were, well, pissed off. I think their anger got to them a little too much and they went over-board. It showed that women were really upset about the stereotypes that were placed on women. Feminists wanted to be equal to men, but certain things in society, such as Playboy and the pageant, made that impossible. But what really is impossible is to change every single womens' opinions. These women who participated in this protest only created more publicity for the Miss America pageant instead of putting a stop to it. Personally, I think the Miss America pageant is a little silly and degrading, but if it makes some people happy, then what is so wrong with that? The women participating in these protests should be working on their education and their people skills.
3. The war of the sexes will most likely never end. Women and men will be competing for centuries to come. As more and more women gain better education, more of them will be fighting men with the same education for positions in the work force. I think a large disadvantage for women is their ability to bear children. That is just a personal opinion and assumption, thought. Many young women entering the work force will eventually take time off to have and raise children and I think employers know this from the start. Losing an employee later on and having to replace her might be more difficult than hiring a male who will not have to do the same thing. So the war between sexes will never end because men and women are just to different to coexist without conflict.
Source Interpretation
Textbook document
4. Mary Tyler Moore was able to accomplish more substantial things in her life than did the women of “Sex and the City”. Moore's TV show gave more hope and promises to her future. Moore had male friends and not just “ 'gay boyfriends' “ as Orenstein puts it, making her seem like she may be a more well rounded female. I feel that Orenstein is trying to say that Moore does not need a man in her life, whereas the ladies on “Sex and the City” need to constantly have a male present in their lives that gives them pleasure. Moore's story was not all about sex and love, but more feminism in that it was more about her career and her life. Orenstein values education and her career, not men and sex, and that is what shapes her judgment.
5. I would expect Rebecca Walker is disagree with Orenstein. Orenstein puts down the women in “Sex and the City” for always wanting and needing sexual partners. Walker embraces their feelings toward sex. Walker is telling women to be sexually active so to grow and learn. Women need those sexual encounters to know more about themselves and their bodies. Walker is a huge advocate for premarital sex so that women know how to love their partners, but most of all, how to love themselves, which is what she feels is the new wave of feminism.
6.I think that “Sex and the City” paints a realistic picture of the lives of many women within the United States. It is not a perfect picture for every woman though. Many women are just like the ladies on the show who have careers and friends and a healthy sex life. But with the health risks that come with engaging in that much free sex, I think many women hold back. As Walker said, women are called sluts and whore for having a lot of sex, so I believe that keeps them from being as sexually active as the TV show characters as well. I do believe though that sexual liberty has gained enough ground for all young women to be sexually active, but that comes a high price that we women have to pay, where men do not.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Blog #13
Textbook: Chapter 9
1. Once the Cold War began, changes in the American peoples lives also began. By this time it was not uncommon that many mothers, including women without children, to be working. Many of these hard working and respected women lost their jobs during the Cold War. These women returned to their domesticated lifestyles and raised their children at home. Many women in politically positions lost their jobs as well. During the Cold War the government was fearful of communists and accused many non-communists men and women in power of being so. Once they were accused they lost their careers and lost respect.
2. Historians believed that Betty Friedan over generalized her interpretation of the “feminine mystique”. In Betty's studies she shows only data and thoughts about the wealthy white women of America. She believed that women were put in their domestic roles by a generalized feeling toward women. What Betty Failed to do, as historian's believe, was mention the underclass women and colored women. Many women Betty did not mention worked very hard and still raised their children and same with colored women as well. All though not many, women did work successful jobs in politics and business.
3.Many of the activist women in the 1950s were working women. They wanted to fight for their rights and new labor laws that would protect them from losing their jobs and for safer conditions. Many of these working class females were African American as well as Latinos. Their race posed a problem to them. Since they were not white they were very often discriminated against or were paid lower wages than the whites. White women faced difficulties as well. In 1950 a requirement to work was an education, which up until recent centuries was almost illegal for women to have. So women that had little to no education were discriminated in the work force as well. Because of all this discrimination working women in the 1950s became activists.
4. The concept of a “bridge” leader helps underline the discrimination women endured during the civil rights movement. Women fought very hard for civil rights and as we know, even started their own women's clubs and groups to help the cause. But women still would not be able to climb higher in the ranks because of their gender. “Bridge” leaders were women who were very active in helping the civil rights movement along, but would never actually become a leader. They were the glue that kept it together, but their contributions were recognized as the mens'. If women were able to stand in a leadership role it was only temporary until a man was found to suit the spot. While women were lobbying for the civil rights of minorities, they as women were still kept down.
1. Once the Cold War began, changes in the American peoples lives also began. By this time it was not uncommon that many mothers, including women without children, to be working. Many of these hard working and respected women lost their jobs during the Cold War. These women returned to their domesticated lifestyles and raised their children at home. Many women in politically positions lost their jobs as well. During the Cold War the government was fearful of communists and accused many non-communists men and women in power of being so. Once they were accused they lost their careers and lost respect.
2. Historians believed that Betty Friedan over generalized her interpretation of the “feminine mystique”. In Betty's studies she shows only data and thoughts about the wealthy white women of America. She believed that women were put in their domestic roles by a generalized feeling toward women. What Betty Failed to do, as historian's believe, was mention the underclass women and colored women. Many women Betty did not mention worked very hard and still raised their children and same with colored women as well. All though not many, women did work successful jobs in politics and business.
3.Many of the activist women in the 1950s were working women. They wanted to fight for their rights and new labor laws that would protect them from losing their jobs and for safer conditions. Many of these working class females were African American as well as Latinos. Their race posed a problem to them. Since they were not white they were very often discriminated against or were paid lower wages than the whites. White women faced difficulties as well. In 1950 a requirement to work was an education, which up until recent centuries was almost illegal for women to have. So women that had little to no education were discriminated in the work force as well. Because of all this discrimination working women in the 1950s became activists.
4. The concept of a “bridge” leader helps underline the discrimination women endured during the civil rights movement. Women fought very hard for civil rights and as we know, even started their own women's clubs and groups to help the cause. But women still would not be able to climb higher in the ranks because of their gender. “Bridge” leaders were women who were very active in helping the civil rights movement along, but would never actually become a leader. They were the glue that kept it together, but their contributions were recognized as the mens'. If women were able to stand in a leadership role it was only temporary until a man was found to suit the spot. While women were lobbying for the civil rights of minorities, they as women were still kept down.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Textbook: Chapter 8
1. During World War II women took on new jobs to help with the labor force, but they were stereotyped even so. They took on these new roles in the workforce and proved themselves they were able to do work like men. Women began working in factories as welders and mechanics since the men that normally did these jobs were off in combat. Women were involved in military organizations and many were recruited to them. Women involved themselves in organizations such as the Women's Army Corps and Women's Airforce Service Pilots. Women, however, were not allowed to fight in actual combat, even though they were allowed to make the tools the men in combat were using. Women were stereotyped because, even though they were in the work place, most of their jobs were domestic. They worked as clerks and nurses, jobs that men were not often found in. Publicizing these jobs made women look less masculine in their war efforts.
2. Many things resulted in the wake of World War II. For instance, many young couples were marrying because no one knew if their loved one would be coming home or not. After the war, these couples began families and a rise in birth rates took place. A rise in deaths also took place for many men did not come home from the war. Since so many men were off fighting, women took their places in the work force and found themselves a new sense of independence. Many women continued working even after the war ended, continuing their independence. After the war women and their families began to expand and grow and women began a rein of new found independence.
Source Interpretation
1.Women's work opportunities were not limited because of their gender. Women were really needed during this time since so many men were away. They were needed so badly that the government enticed the women with propaganda. Women were able to make the same amount as men had been making, but women would need to work just as hard as the men did. That included around the clock shifts and graveyard shifts.
2. The intended audience is the men. Men in the factories and away at war were unsure about getting their jobs back when they returned. Women were not happy with the way they had to work and the conditions they had to work under. They hoped that the men would return soon and take their jobs back so that they could go back to housework. They admitted that the job was difficult and rather be at home.
3. Women were unhappy with their work. They thought their work was to difficult for them. They were happy to do the work, but were concerned with the conditions. They were tired from the graveyard shifts and found it difficult to sleep during the day in the hot city in their one bedroom apartment that they might share with three other girls. At the end of their shifts their bodies ached and their hands were sore from all the physical labor they were doing in order to receive the same wages as men
4. Women were able to keep their femininity in many ways, even though they worked men's jobs on the assembly lines. Women wore nail polish and probably make up to work as well. While at home they cooked meals and cleaned dishes. Women also kept up with conversation with each other. They most likely talked about the latest gossip and news.
5. Many women kept their jobs in the factories, but many women went in different paths. When the soldiers returned from the war, many of them married their girlfriends that had been holding down the labor fort. Those women returned to their domesticated lifestyles of children, cleaning and cooking in the home. They did not enjoy the work on the assembly lines and were happy to return to the home. But many women were not as luck as the ones whose loved ones come home. Many men did not return from the war and this devastated many women.
1. During World War II women took on new jobs to help with the labor force, but they were stereotyped even so. They took on these new roles in the workforce and proved themselves they were able to do work like men. Women began working in factories as welders and mechanics since the men that normally did these jobs were off in combat. Women were involved in military organizations and many were recruited to them. Women involved themselves in organizations such as the Women's Army Corps and Women's Airforce Service Pilots. Women, however, were not allowed to fight in actual combat, even though they were allowed to make the tools the men in combat were using. Women were stereotyped because, even though they were in the work place, most of their jobs were domestic. They worked as clerks and nurses, jobs that men were not often found in. Publicizing these jobs made women look less masculine in their war efforts.
2. Many things resulted in the wake of World War II. For instance, many young couples were marrying because no one knew if their loved one would be coming home or not. After the war, these couples began families and a rise in birth rates took place. A rise in deaths also took place for many men did not come home from the war. Since so many men were off fighting, women took their places in the work force and found themselves a new sense of independence. Many women continued working even after the war ended, continuing their independence. After the war women and their families began to expand and grow and women began a rein of new found independence.
Source Interpretation
1.Women's work opportunities were not limited because of their gender. Women were really needed during this time since so many men were away. They were needed so badly that the government enticed the women with propaganda. Women were able to make the same amount as men had been making, but women would need to work just as hard as the men did. That included around the clock shifts and graveyard shifts.
2. The intended audience is the men. Men in the factories and away at war were unsure about getting their jobs back when they returned. Women were not happy with the way they had to work and the conditions they had to work under. They hoped that the men would return soon and take their jobs back so that they could go back to housework. They admitted that the job was difficult and rather be at home.
3. Women were unhappy with their work. They thought their work was to difficult for them. They were happy to do the work, but were concerned with the conditions. They were tired from the graveyard shifts and found it difficult to sleep during the day in the hot city in their one bedroom apartment that they might share with three other girls. At the end of their shifts their bodies ached and their hands were sore from all the physical labor they were doing in order to receive the same wages as men
4. Women were able to keep their femininity in many ways, even though they worked men's jobs on the assembly lines. Women wore nail polish and probably make up to work as well. While at home they cooked meals and cleaned dishes. Women also kept up with conversation with each other. They most likely talked about the latest gossip and news.
5. Many women kept their jobs in the factories, but many women went in different paths. When the soldiers returned from the war, many of them married their girlfriends that had been holding down the labor fort. Those women returned to their domesticated lifestyles of children, cleaning and cooking in the home. They did not enjoy the work on the assembly lines and were happy to return to the home. But many women were not as luck as the ones whose loved ones come home. Many men did not return from the war and this devastated many women.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Blog # 11
Textbook: Chapter 8
1. It was appropriate to speak about a woman as a “New Woman” in the 1920s because of numerous reasons. The 1920s was a lot about the women's new found independence and political activity. The women of the 1920's were gaining political rights including voting and gaining congressional authority as well. The term “flapper” girl was coined once the women of the era began wearing shorter dresses and shorter haircuts and became independent of the men. She was a rebellious “New Women” strutting her stuff in the political and social world.
2. Women active in politics encountered difficulty because of their lack of authority. They were given limited duties and therefore argued amongst each other because of different views on how issues should be handled. Women were expected to handle the issues involving women. When fighting for higher positions in politics people become desperate for opportunities. Women in these positions fought for the influence, making it difficult for them accomplishing their agendas.
3. Women during the Great Depression went through difficult experiences such as we could all imagine. Job loss, famine, loss of property and wealth, and a lot of the time death were just a few of the things women and men alike experienced. The woman in the picture depicts the difficult times her and her peers went through. The inscription of the picture tells the reader she and her children lived off of frozen vegetables during the Great Depression. The picture also illustrates how the Great Depression affected children. Children, even though didn't hold many responsibilities, will forever be haunted by the Great Depression. People of all ages were struggling to survive during the Great Depression.
4. Men had worst times during the Great Depression than women did. This was because, even though women were entering the workforce, men were predominantly the money makers of the family. This caused difficulties within the household, especially the patriarchal households. Men felt that their manhood had been taken away since they were no longer working and providing for the family. Unemployment also strained marriages and lowered birth rates. The men felt inferior to their wives so many left their families, but divorce rates did not increase because of the expensive process. Men wandered the streets aimlessly while the women's place in the home stayed consistent.
1. It was appropriate to speak about a woman as a “New Woman” in the 1920s because of numerous reasons. The 1920s was a lot about the women's new found independence and political activity. The women of the 1920's were gaining political rights including voting and gaining congressional authority as well. The term “flapper” girl was coined once the women of the era began wearing shorter dresses and shorter haircuts and became independent of the men. She was a rebellious “New Women” strutting her stuff in the political and social world.
2. Women active in politics encountered difficulty because of their lack of authority. They were given limited duties and therefore argued amongst each other because of different views on how issues should be handled. Women were expected to handle the issues involving women. When fighting for higher positions in politics people become desperate for opportunities. Women in these positions fought for the influence, making it difficult for them accomplishing their agendas.
3. Women during the Great Depression went through difficult experiences such as we could all imagine. Job loss, famine, loss of property and wealth, and a lot of the time death were just a few of the things women and men alike experienced. The woman in the picture depicts the difficult times her and her peers went through. The inscription of the picture tells the reader she and her children lived off of frozen vegetables during the Great Depression. The picture also illustrates how the Great Depression affected children. Children, even though didn't hold many responsibilities, will forever be haunted by the Great Depression. People of all ages were struggling to survive during the Great Depression.
4. Men had worst times during the Great Depression than women did. This was because, even though women were entering the workforce, men were predominantly the money makers of the family. This caused difficulties within the household, especially the patriarchal households. Men felt that their manhood had been taken away since they were no longer working and providing for the family. Unemployment also strained marriages and lowered birth rates. The men felt inferior to their wives so many left their families, but divorce rates did not increase because of the expensive process. Men wandered the streets aimlessly while the women's place in the home stayed consistent.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Blog # 10
Textbook: Chapter 7
1. While the white women were fighting for reforms they set aside class in order to form better unions, but still did not accept African Americans. Many black women instead formed their own help groups and reformed for a change in their own communities. Jim Crow laws were in effect during this time period and these laws prohibited people of color from using certain public outlets, such as stores, hospitals, libraries, etc. To off set the discrimination of these laws the black communities started their own stores, hospitals, and libraries, in turn creating their own black communities where Jim Crow laws could not harm them. Black women opened and operated their own day care programs and schools for young children so that mothers could work. African Americans also began their own political groups where they could speak their mind without being discriminated.
2. The suffrage movement were primarily based on the equality of women's public and political life. This movement advocated for voting rights and equality. The feminist movement focused on a women's natural rights and privileges. It advocated for a womens rights in the home, sexual rights, and their independence. The feminist movement was based of the idea of feminism where a woman could be whomever she believed she wanted to be, regardless of a man. This idea was still very new and not all agreed with its principles. The suffrage movement was a universal goal and was received by the public.
Source Interpretation
Textbook document
3.The definitions given from the convention varied greatly. Many speakers, both men and women, spoke about feminism as being a right to do certain things. A right to have fun, to experiment, to think what she wants, and to be different. George Middletown said that feminism is a “spiritual attitude” and also called it an “educational idea”. He argued that “men and women are made up of the same soul stuff,” (461) a thought that was progressive of the eras before. Rose Young thought that feminism is a woman's need to develop her own self. Edwin Bjorkman put it nicely stating that feminism “meant that a 'woman should have the right to be a full-fledged personality and not merely a social unit.” (461)
4. What I gathered from the text is this: a women's place is now the workplace, not the home. Inez Milholland's essay says that to send a woman “back to the home” would mean to follow her to her place of work. Therefore, a women's economic independence is a base thought in feminist theory. Her economic independence makes her a feminist. In the article before many speakers stated that feminism was a women being independent. Working for her own money would cause her to be independent, therefore a feminist. Not to say that all working women are feminists, but in some sense one would believe there would be at least a hint of feminism in the female working class.
5. I believe that feminism is when a women depends on no one but herself. She thinks for herself, works for herself, believes in herself, and she does not need anyone, especially a man, to back her up on those. A women is a feminist when she fights for the rights and privileges of her own kind. My favorite definition that came from the feminism convention is Edwin Bjorkman's response, “a women should have the right to be a full-fledged personality and not merely a social unit.” (461) For the longest time women were perceived to be social homemakers, with no life outside the home or occasional book club meeting. Women were perceived to have certain capabilities and none other. If a woman had showed that she did, she was rejected by society. Women finally struck out of that mold when feminism was introduced, and it gained many rights for women then and in the future. Feminism is the action of breaking out of that mold.
1. While the white women were fighting for reforms they set aside class in order to form better unions, but still did not accept African Americans. Many black women instead formed their own help groups and reformed for a change in their own communities. Jim Crow laws were in effect during this time period and these laws prohibited people of color from using certain public outlets, such as stores, hospitals, libraries, etc. To off set the discrimination of these laws the black communities started their own stores, hospitals, and libraries, in turn creating their own black communities where Jim Crow laws could not harm them. Black women opened and operated their own day care programs and schools for young children so that mothers could work. African Americans also began their own political groups where they could speak their mind without being discriminated.
2. The suffrage movement were primarily based on the equality of women's public and political life. This movement advocated for voting rights and equality. The feminist movement focused on a women's natural rights and privileges. It advocated for a womens rights in the home, sexual rights, and their independence. The feminist movement was based of the idea of feminism where a woman could be whomever she believed she wanted to be, regardless of a man. This idea was still very new and not all agreed with its principles. The suffrage movement was a universal goal and was received by the public.
Source Interpretation
Textbook document
3.The definitions given from the convention varied greatly. Many speakers, both men and women, spoke about feminism as being a right to do certain things. A right to have fun, to experiment, to think what she wants, and to be different. George Middletown said that feminism is a “spiritual attitude” and also called it an “educational idea”. He argued that “men and women are made up of the same soul stuff,” (461) a thought that was progressive of the eras before. Rose Young thought that feminism is a woman's need to develop her own self. Edwin Bjorkman put it nicely stating that feminism “meant that a 'woman should have the right to be a full-fledged personality and not merely a social unit.” (461)
4. What I gathered from the text is this: a women's place is now the workplace, not the home. Inez Milholland's essay says that to send a woman “back to the home” would mean to follow her to her place of work. Therefore, a women's economic independence is a base thought in feminist theory. Her economic independence makes her a feminist. In the article before many speakers stated that feminism was a women being independent. Working for her own money would cause her to be independent, therefore a feminist. Not to say that all working women are feminists, but in some sense one would believe there would be at least a hint of feminism in the female working class.
5. I believe that feminism is when a women depends on no one but herself. She thinks for herself, works for herself, believes in herself, and she does not need anyone, especially a man, to back her up on those. A women is a feminist when she fights for the rights and privileges of her own kind. My favorite definition that came from the feminism convention is Edwin Bjorkman's response, “a women should have the right to be a full-fledged personality and not merely a social unit.” (461) For the longest time women were perceived to be social homemakers, with no life outside the home or occasional book club meeting. Women were perceived to have certain capabilities and none other. If a woman had showed that she did, she was rejected by society. Women finally struck out of that mold when feminism was introduced, and it gained many rights for women then and in the future. Feminism is the action of breaking out of that mold.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Blog # 9
Textbook: Chapter 6
1. The United States was regarding as new and rich world to those who did not live there. That is why immigrants migrated to the US. Women from all over Europe and Asia traveled to the US for better opportunities, higher wages, independence, and hopefully a chance at true love. Upon entering the Uniter States though, life was different than what the expected. Women worked in factories or as servants and still received low wages for their hard work, similar to men. Men as well traveled from all of the world to find better wages and opportunities only to be kept down under the hand of the whites. What men did not have to suffer from was the likelihood of being forced into prostitution were often forced into a life of prostitution just to make enough to survive. Men also usually came to the Uniter States to work temporarily and then return home. Wages were higher than in the countries they called home so they would make the trip to the US and work just for the money to take back home to their families. Men and women immigrants alike suffered from the low wages and difficult, harsh labor, but it was the women that suffered more from prostitution.
2. Women involved in these three movements all had one common goal but different reasons to join. They all wanted equality, but they joined the group that would help in the fight for what they most believed in. The industrial protest called for higher wages, better working conditions and a better equality in the factories. This protest included both men and women and was for the bettering of all factories nationwide. The populist movement consisted of farmers of the South that were in debt. This included white non-elite women and black women. Finally, the settlement house movement was the idea to help immigrants learn the values and culture of United States. This movement also helped immigrant women in their daily lives. All three were designed to better women and men in the whole nation and called for reforms of women's lives.
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Source Interpretation
Textbook document
3. Addams wrote about the two different spectrums which the saw: The rich and the poor. She viewed the rich as living in particular parts of town, such as the Hull House, because there were other rich people living there as well. She viewed the poor as lazy and that is why they were poor. The poor view the wealthy as the landlords and those who are charitable. They believe that the landlords unkindly ways are to just make money. The charitable wealthy people are looking down on the poor and handing out money because they feel sorry for they. Because the poor feel these ways towards the rich they are often disrespectful and cold toward them. In the act of trying to become more like the rich by wearing cheaper versions of the fancy clothes they wear, the poor lose their identities and their ethical standards. The rich are confused after they donate to the poor because the poor still view them rudely, and are not very thankful.
4. Addams realized that people were different from one another and always would be. The social structure made them different. As a settlement house volunteer she realized the ways of the social structure and that the poor was poor not because that they were lazy but because they had no choice. It was society's fault for why the rich were rich and the poor were poor. The wealthy had control of the money and they were the ones that employed the poor and kept their wages low. Addams understood better this system with help of their Hebrew religion
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