How about if Mondays is our day to explore feminist writings? We're ready to work hard on Mondays, right?!
Today: Audre Lorde's "The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House." Lorde's point in this article is that women often try to downplay differences amongst us rather than celebrating them. She comes from the perspective that the world has tried power as domination, an "old and primary tool of all oppressors to keep the oppressed occupied with the master's concerns." When I read this essay, I heard that the world doesn't need more domination, it needs a new model, one that the "womanly" attributes considered weaker and less effective like nurturing and vulnerability might have a place in this discussion. (Or otherwise stated, the biblical theme of strength being found in weakness). She argues that the systems of domination fear connectedness of women. Why?
Tiger mom vs. Helicopter mom. Stay at home mom vs. career mom. Fashionista vs. Granola. Single woman vs. married woman. Natural birth proponents vs. (um, I'm not sure what the official title is for the other side). Republicans vs. Democrats (are you starting to feel this?) Mainline vs. Evangelical. Creationist vs. Evolutionist. Lesbian vs. Heterosexual. I'm guessing I might have named at least one issue that raised your blood pressure a wee bit, one where you aren't interested in conceding any middle ground.
I propose that there is a middle ground in all of these issues, and that it doesn't even have to include casting off your firm beliefs. I can personally attest to actual middle ground being found in the Fashionista/Granola model;) We don't have to all reach the same conclusions to be able to nurture one another. We can be interdependent and we can support one another in our differences, don't you think? Lorde suggests that differences can be viewed as polarities which can spark our creative energies. "Only within that interdependency of different strengths, acknowledged and equal, can the power to seek new ways of being in the world generate, as well as the courage and sustenance to act where there are no charters" (Lorde).
I'm not sure how to conclude this. I thought about asking if you would find Lorde's quotes less pertinent if you knew she identified as a black lesbian. Would you be willing to admit that the woman who took a different mothering road than you is a good mom? I think I'll end with a challenge for us to imagine a woman who is on the opposite side of one of the fences we find important and try to pinpoint some way she is making the world a better place.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Why Feminism
I was raised Roman Catholic, then I was raised as an Evangelical Christian. Have I mentioned that?
I was raised in a home by devoted and loving parents who took very good care of me, you must know that. They clothed me, fed me, cared for me. I have no interest in criticizing their parenting, but to give you background, they were not of the feminist persuasion. They were old school. As in girls don't need to play organized sports or go to college old school. Don't ask me what stray gene entered my DNA. I remember as a girl deducing that boys got picked to play baseball because they threw better. When my dad would mean to say that girls were good softball players he would say, "She throws like a boy." So guess what I wanted to learn how to do?
When I became a mother, I knew if anyone ever told my girls they couldn't do something, I would punch them in the mouth. Proverbially. Or maybe physically. I look at those smart, talented girls and my heart swells with love and pride. I want the world to not objectify them or blame them or block them. I want them to be able to contribute and experience.
My major is Human Development, and as such, one of my deep passions is addressing poverty. It's right in theme with helping people live the best lives they can. What has become apparent to me is that the people who suffer the most in the world are women. The dehumanization that we relatively rarely face here in the U.S. is alive and well in the Third World. I don't use the word hate in print often, but I HATE that little girls are trafficked. I HATE that widows get their property seized. I HATE that women get substandard healthcare. You get the idea.
Feminism addresses the heart of these issues. In this country, had I been born at a different time, I would not be able to own property or have custody of my children. I would not be able to speak in public or write this blog. The feminist movement made my pursuit of happiness possible.
Some definitions of feminism I like from Feminism by Paula Treichler and Cheris Kramarae:
"the movement towards creating a society where women can live a full, self-determined life. This may seem a bland statement, but in terms of the changes we need to achieve this, it is revolutionary" (Mary MacNamara, 1982).
"is a commitment to eradicating the ideology of domination that permeates Western culture on various levels ... so that the self-development of people can take precedence over imperialism, economic expansion, and material desires" (bell hooks, 1981).
"makes it absolutely essential that we examine the way we live, how we treat each other, and what we believe... calls into question the most basic assumptions about... our rationale for power relationships as well as for all levels of human identity and action" (Barbara Smith, 1983).
I was raised in a home by devoted and loving parents who took very good care of me, you must know that. They clothed me, fed me, cared for me. I have no interest in criticizing their parenting, but to give you background, they were not of the feminist persuasion. They were old school. As in girls don't need to play organized sports or go to college old school. Don't ask me what stray gene entered my DNA. I remember as a girl deducing that boys got picked to play baseball because they threw better. When my dad would mean to say that girls were good softball players he would say, "She throws like a boy." So guess what I wanted to learn how to do?
When I became a mother, I knew if anyone ever told my girls they couldn't do something, I would punch them in the mouth. Proverbially. Or maybe physically. I look at those smart, talented girls and my heart swells with love and pride. I want the world to not objectify them or blame them or block them. I want them to be able to contribute and experience.
My major is Human Development, and as such, one of my deep passions is addressing poverty. It's right in theme with helping people live the best lives they can. What has become apparent to me is that the people who suffer the most in the world are women. The dehumanization that we relatively rarely face here in the U.S. is alive and well in the Third World. I don't use the word hate in print often, but I HATE that little girls are trafficked. I HATE that widows get their property seized. I HATE that women get substandard healthcare. You get the idea.
Feminism addresses the heart of these issues. In this country, had I been born at a different time, I would not be able to own property or have custody of my children. I would not be able to speak in public or write this blog. The feminist movement made my pursuit of happiness possible.
Some definitions of feminism I like from Feminism by Paula Treichler and Cheris Kramarae:
"the movement towards creating a society where women can live a full, self-determined life. This may seem a bland statement, but in terms of the changes we need to achieve this, it is revolutionary" (Mary MacNamara, 1982).
"is a commitment to eradicating the ideology of domination that permeates Western culture on various levels ... so that the self-development of people can take precedence over imperialism, economic expansion, and material desires" (bell hooks, 1981).
"makes it absolutely essential that we examine the way we live, how we treat each other, and what we believe... calls into question the most basic assumptions about... our rationale for power relationships as well as for all levels of human identity and action" (Barbara Smith, 1983).
Why I Love Jesus
Let's get that right out there.
I was raised Roman Catholic. Then I was raised as an Evangelical Christian. This might explain a thing or two...
Of course, I went through the requisite "doubting my faith" stage. Twice. During my adulthood, after I had a child, then another, of my own.
Sparing you the details, the first faith crisis caused me to ask why I was a Christian. I decided to just read the red letters of the Bible (Jesus' words). And then I decided that yes, I was a Christian. Have you ever done that, just read Jesus' words? It's so powerful, because you get a focused view of what his time on earth was about. It blocked out the noise of what books, pastors, family, etc. was saying. He was more than what He had been reduced to in past venues of my life.
Shortly after, my husband and I had a messy, ugly happening involving the church we had been involved in. It left us shocked and bitter. Then we moved. Crisis of faith, version 2.0. The bigger, scarier version.
During this time, I was also taking a class on world religions. So at this time I was considering un-being a Christian, I was given a full-color menu of the other options. I scoured it. When I came up for air, I decided on Jesus. Not Christianity.
In all the exploring, no religion, Christianity included, treated women the way Jesus did. Many religions, including Christianity at times, blame women's sexuality as the root of all evil. The full blessings of religion are often denied women simply because they are female. It's no wonder many feminists turn their back on religion. Jesus saw women at a time when they were to be ignored. Men were not supposed to talk to women. Over and over, Jesus saw women, spoke to them, offered them their full humanity. A woman with a bad reputation insulted by important men; Jesus defends her and validates her worth (Luke 7:36-50). A woman of the lowest class with several ex-husbands and a current live-in boyfriend (think guest on Jerry Springer), Jesus gave her hope and dignity (John 4:1-42). A woman whose life was wrecked by what was probably a menstrual disorder; Jesus acknowledged her suffering and healed her (Matthew 9:18-22). What great religious leader would do those things, especially in that day? Or this day, really? Quietly acknowledge a woman's personal humiliation? Back down bullies?
That's why I love Jesus.
I was raised Roman Catholic. Then I was raised as an Evangelical Christian. This might explain a thing or two...
Of course, I went through the requisite "doubting my faith" stage. Twice. During my adulthood, after I had a child, then another, of my own.
Sparing you the details, the first faith crisis caused me to ask why I was a Christian. I decided to just read the red letters of the Bible (Jesus' words). And then I decided that yes, I was a Christian. Have you ever done that, just read Jesus' words? It's so powerful, because you get a focused view of what his time on earth was about. It blocked out the noise of what books, pastors, family, etc. was saying. He was more than what He had been reduced to in past venues of my life.
Shortly after, my husband and I had a messy, ugly happening involving the church we had been involved in. It left us shocked and bitter. Then we moved. Crisis of faith, version 2.0. The bigger, scarier version.
During this time, I was also taking a class on world religions. So at this time I was considering un-being a Christian, I was given a full-color menu of the other options. I scoured it. When I came up for air, I decided on Jesus. Not Christianity.
In all the exploring, no religion, Christianity included, treated women the way Jesus did. Many religions, including Christianity at times, blame women's sexuality as the root of all evil. The full blessings of religion are often denied women simply because they are female. It's no wonder many feminists turn their back on religion. Jesus saw women at a time when they were to be ignored. Men were not supposed to talk to women. Over and over, Jesus saw women, spoke to them, offered them their full humanity. A woman with a bad reputation insulted by important men; Jesus defends her and validates her worth (Luke 7:36-50). A woman of the lowest class with several ex-husbands and a current live-in boyfriend (think guest on Jerry Springer), Jesus gave her hope and dignity (John 4:1-42). A woman whose life was wrecked by what was probably a menstrual disorder; Jesus acknowledged her suffering and healed her (Matthew 9:18-22). What great religious leader would do those things, especially in that day? Or this day, really? Quietly acknowledge a woman's personal humiliation? Back down bullies?
That's why I love Jesus.
What is This?
A dream I have had for awhile. I hope that you will take this journey with me. This is a blog about exploring Christianity and Feminism, so you don't have to be a diehard either one. Just so you know that we're talking about both those things.
I wanted a place to talk with other women who believe that women still are being held back in some way, and that oppression still exists in the world. I am a Woman Studies minor, and I love to read about and engage in discussions about feminism. As a woman who opted out of the workforce to take care of my kids, married a man, do not believe in abortion as a birth control option, and am a follower of Christ, I am kind of a pariah on the discussion boards in my Women's Studies courses. But feminism, in its best form, is about giving every woman "the opportunity of becoming the best that her natural faculties make her capable of" (Millicent Garrett Fawcett, 1878).
This is not incompatible with my faith. We are created equal in God's eyes, and God wants us to live up to the potential of who we are created to be. "My purpose is to give life in all its fullness" (John 10:10).
The way I think this will work: we'll have different topics on different days of the week. I want to highlight organizations that are helping women escape oppression and live life in all its fullness. Let's have a fun feminist fact day to brush up on our women's history (you don't know were you're going if you don't know where you came from!) We'll discuss current events, things we read, things that are on our hearts. We'll support each other's endeavors ( I plan to highlight women and their artistic attempts or small businesses).
Most of all, I want to get to know you, hear from you, learn from you. We are at our best in community.
I wanted a place to talk with other women who believe that women still are being held back in some way, and that oppression still exists in the world. I am a Woman Studies minor, and I love to read about and engage in discussions about feminism. As a woman who opted out of the workforce to take care of my kids, married a man, do not believe in abortion as a birth control option, and am a follower of Christ, I am kind of a pariah on the discussion boards in my Women's Studies courses. But feminism, in its best form, is about giving every woman "the opportunity of becoming the best that her natural faculties make her capable of" (Millicent Garrett Fawcett, 1878).
This is not incompatible with my faith. We are created equal in God's eyes, and God wants us to live up to the potential of who we are created to be. "My purpose is to give life in all its fullness" (John 10:10).
The way I think this will work: we'll have different topics on different days of the week. I want to highlight organizations that are helping women escape oppression and live life in all its fullness. Let's have a fun feminist fact day to brush up on our women's history (you don't know were you're going if you don't know where you came from!) We'll discuss current events, things we read, things that are on our hearts. We'll support each other's endeavors ( I plan to highlight women and their artistic attempts or small businesses).
Most of all, I want to get to know you, hear from you, learn from you. We are at our best in community.
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