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How race and gender intersect essay
Social construction of gender and race
Social construction of gender and race
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In her essay, Jacqueline Jones explains the ideas of race and gender and states that they are hard to discuss as different categories in historical analysis because they are continually changing. Author also states that it is easy to find examples of physical appearance irrelevance of the definition of race or sex organs irrelevance to the definition of gender. Jones gives example of black men in the U.S army who were assigned to perform female service work. Later, Jones shows the duality of race and gender related issues in Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill case where both were members of the same class, yet it was not clear if he was the victim of racism or her the victim of sexism. Later she explains that racial ideologies were dissolved or …show more content…
reconstituted on the examples of the perception of Mexicans in mid-19th century, Chinese immigrants in 1870s and 1880s and immigrants from Furth Wave of foreign migration; stating also that social diversity based on race lies not only in blacks-whites relations but also in Asians or Latinos relations. In next paragraph author, states that the word “race” was used as a tool to diminish groups that are more vulnerable and the ideologies of race and gender are strategies developed for that purpose.
Jones writes that racism was used as a political weapon and outlines three historical contexts in which it has been used. She highlights the main role of history in gender and race evolution in the U.S for example the role of women changed temporarily during wars. She later adds that historians examined the blacks woman's labor condition while employed by whites and showed they were underpaid in contrast to white female workers who were benefiting from their job and enjoyed the higher class status. Black women resisted the Jim-Crow discrimination working in, for example NAACP and fighting for civil rights. Their approach to the matter of activism contrasted with white female attitude, highlighting them as ignorant to race-based injustices. Jones later states that in a time of great fear the notion of “blackness” disappears or …show more content…
changes. She also adds that even if whites let blacks work in jobs destined for whites, they are still badly paid and rarely respected. At the end of her work Jones says that now days it is completely normal to appreciate African American accomplishments, but we also accept that many of them lives in deep poverty without access opportunities of modern society. She advises that historians study the impact of history on how race and gender influence modern day disadvantages or discrimination of non-white people. The main purpose of this essay is to explain that historical background plays a very important role in discussing the issues of race and gender ideologies in the U.S and that there is fluidity between those terms.
Jones provides readers with many examples supporting her theory. She works in field of feminist economic that is why she probably focuses on issues related to mainly black woman labor and fight for end of discrimination in various fields. Jones tries to show the duality of the race and gender problem using the example of highly controversial Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill case showing that sexism exist in the same time, among racial discrimination. Yet this example had third, extremely important factor that shaped its history, namely the political aspect. Various sources states that it was not gender prejudices that caused Anita’s Hill failure but simply a political secret campaign to save president’s nominee to the Supreme Court. Jones gives also great examples of how the views on race and gender were changing when in time of war, women were even obliged to take the role of men while in peaceful times they were discouraged to work outside the house, earning money. Author explains in a very clear way the historical context in which racial difference was used to give the readers view on how ideology of racism was evolving through the time. However, Jones focuses too much on black women labor conditions, and while it is related to the duality of race and gender
issues, she could put more attention on white women who also experienced great discrimination from employee’s sides, not to mention Latino or Asian female workers. Despite weak points, given explanations and history examples fully support Jones’ main thesis emphasizing that racial and gender ideologies are constantly changing and should be studied further in historical context .
The black women’s interaction with her oppressive environment during Revolutionary period or the antebellum America was the only way of her survival. Playing her role, and being part of her community that is not always pleasant takes a lot of courage, and optimism for better tomorrow. The autonomy of a slave women still existed even if most of her natural rights were taken. As opposed to her counterparts
Historians often take topics to a micro level, often viewing the subject in a vacuum. This is often done in the context of American history, as scholars might only study women, or cotton plantation owners in the antebellum South, or the Dred Scott decision. In a new examination of the situation at hand, Dudziak puts the "Negro problem" in the center of race discourse in America, capturing a slew of heated domestic moments by proving their impact on foreign affairs. It then materializes into transnational history instead of just American history.
Dye drew together the essays of esteemed scholars, such as Ellen Carol DuBois, Barbara Sicherman, and Rosalyn Terborg-Penn, to shed light on the intersectionality between race, gender, and social class at the turn of the 20th Century. While many believe that it was a period of widespread activism and reform, these scholars support the idea that the Progressive Era was more of a conservative than liberal movement, in that it failed to challenge stereotypes about the female’s role in society and created a limited public sphere for women. While the women’s suffrage movement provided more opportunities for white middle-class women, it failed to lessen, or even worsened, the marginalization of immigrant and minority women. Many white-middle class women sympathized with European and Jewish immigrants and were willing to overlook socioeconomic class, but few supported the cause of colored women for labor and education
“Making a Difference” by June Callwood is an expository essay created to inspire the reader to make a change in the world around them, and to stand up for what they believe in. By just doing simple, positive things, people can make a huge impact on their lives and the lives of people around them. June Callwood, author of “Making a Difference”, changes the way many people see the world by describing scientific research and telling the stories of people who performed small, random acts of kindness that made a huge difference in people’s attitudes and the community around them.
It is well known that slavery was a horrible event in the history of the United States. However, what isn't as well known is the actual severity of slavery. The experiences of slave women presented by Angela Davis and the theories of black women presented by Patricia Hill Collins are evident in the life of Harriet Jacobs and show the severity of slavery for black women.
On Being Young-A Woman-and Colored an essay by Marita Bonner addresses what it means to be black women in a world of white privilege. Bonner reflects about a time when she was younger, how simple her life was, but as she grows older she is forced to work hard to live a life better than those around her. Ultimately, she is a woman living with the roles that women of all colors have been constrained to. Critics, within the last 20 years, believe that Marita Bonners’ essay primarily focuses on the double consciousness ; while others believe that she is focusing on gender , class , “economic hardships, and discrimination” . I argue that Bonner is writing her essay about the historical context of oppression forcing women into intersectional oppression by explaining the naturality of racial discrimination between black and white, how time and money equate to the American Dream, and lastly how gender discrimination silences women, specifically black women.
The Strange Career of Jim Crow, by C. Van Woodward, traces the history of race relations in the United States from the mid and late nineteenth century through the twentieth century. In doing so Woodward brings to light significant aspects of Reconstruction that remain unknown to many today. He argues that the races were not as separate many people believe until the Jim Crow laws. To set up such an argument, Woodward first outlines the relationship between Southern and Northern whites, and African Americans during the nineteenth century. He then breaks down the details of the injustice brought about by the Jim Crow laws, and outlines the transformation in American society from discrimination to Civil Rights. Woodward’s argument is very persuasive because he uses specific evidence to support his opinions and to connect his ideas. Considering the time period in which the book and its editions were written, it should be praised for its insight into and analysis of the most important social issue in American history.
illustrates the discrimination against women and the issues that arise from a gender double standard society.
Davis employs this tool in order to explain and explore the interaction between race. and class within the context of the women's movement in the United States. those who are predisposed to reject Davis’ primary thesis. Chapter 12 titled "Racism, Birth Control and Reproductive Rights" meticulously examines another issue where tension and conflict is caused by the intersectionality of class and racial oppression. Davis asserts that there was great division.
Towards the end of the 1960s a new era in equal rights took place. Following the example of the race movement earlier in the decade, women decided they needed the same gender equality as men. Up to this time in history women were known to society as house wives, and homemakers. According to David Farber, almost every decent-paying job was strictly held by men. With the increase of support for equal gender rights, Hon. Shirley Chisholm came to the rescue. Being the first woman in congress, she knew the hardships and troubles faced due to gender. When she delivered her speech to congress, it was a stepping stone for the history of women’s rights. With her help and focus on the Equal Rights amendment, it was later passed in 1972.
During the twentieth century, people of color and women, suffered from various inequalities. W.E.B. Du Bois’ and Charlotte Perkins Gilman (formerly known as Charlotte Perkins Stetson), mention some of the concepts that illustrate the gender and racial divide during this time. In their books, The Soul of Black Folk and The Yellow Wallpaper, Du Bois’ and Gilman illustrate and explain issues of oppression, dismissal, and duality that are relevant to issues of race and gender.
The feminist movement sought to gain rights for women. Many feminist during the early nineteenth century fought for the abolition of slavery around the world. The slave narrative became a powerful feminist tool in the nineteenth century. Black and white women are fictionalized and objectified in the slave narrative. White women are idealized as pure, angelic, and chaste while black woman are idealized as exotic and contained an uncontrollable, savage sexuality. Harriet Jacobs’ Incidents in the Life of A Slave Girl, brought the sexual oppression of captive black women into the public and political arena.
To reach this goal and attain her purpose, Solnit appeals to both the logical and emotional sides of the audience. Through facts and statistics, she demonstrates that gender inequality is an undeniable truth, and that despite limited coverage of all but the “exceptional crimes” (524), the impact of this inequality has exorbitant ramifications. This information calls upon the readers’ logical sides – giving them facts and numbers that are hard to contest. For the majority of the essay, however, Solnit depends upon appealing to her readers’ emotional sides with the goal of inciting change. The author petitions the audience’s emotional side through her tone and delivery, portraying the gravity of the situation women face. Solnit further draws upon emotions by making connections to the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement. Finally, Solnit fulfills this purpose by expanding her audience to include both men and women, forming a larger group capable of reversing the situation. Appealing to both logic and emotion, Solnit advances her purpose of enacting
Deborah White uses various examples of situations regarding these characterizations from other pieces of work such as “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl” by Harriet Jacobs, interviews, and other historical references. Through these examples, Deborah White is able to effectively relay, through historical context, how these women struggled with the assumption that all black female slaves were “Jezebels” until proven otherwise. Regarded as highly sexual women, those who were categorized as a “Jezebel” woman initially started because of African traditions prior to their enslavement and also excused “miscegenation, the sexual exploitation of black women, and the mulatto population”. Deborah White argues that these women faced a very unique situation because their sexual behavior could result in being treated better or worse, depending on the situation and the master; because population growth was inevitable, white men seemed to believe that this proved their “lewd and licentious behavior”. Also, the conditions in which these women lived “helped imprint the Jezebel image on the white mind” even though this environment was created by these men “which ensured female slave behavior fulfilled their expectations”. In contrast to the “Jezebel” figure, white men also created the “Mammy” figure who was a loyal servant to the white family as well as a surrogate mother for the both black and white children. This position for a black female slave helped “endorse the service of black women in Southern households” (61). Therefore, both of these characterizations were to justify the treatment of black
Edgar Allan Poe’s 1849 poem, “Annabel Lee”, explores the common themes of romance and death found in many of Poe’s works. The poem tells the story of a beautiful young maiden named Annabel Lee who resides by the sea. The maiden and the narrator of the poem are deeply in love, however the maiden falls ill and dies, leaving the narrator without his beloved Annabel Lee. Contrary to what many might expect from a poem by Poe and yet still depressing, the poem ends with the narrator accepting Annabel’s death and remains confident that they will forever be together despite her parting.