Feminism Matter Bromley Summary

In Feminism Matter: Debates, Theories, Activism, author Victoria L. Bromley not only begins to delve into what it means to be a feminist in today’s society, but also provides the critical background knowledge required to be able fully understand modern feminism. A key factor in understanding any social justice movement is comprehending the difference between subjective knowledge and objective knowledge. Subjective knowledge is knowledge that “...is informed by the person or subject who is speaking” (Bromley, 38). To elaborate, subjective knowledge is derived from an individual’s experience, which often leads to opinions. Opinions are a prime example of subjective knowledge, however it is indisputable that opinions are influenced by bias for

a number of reasons. These bias can include the individual’s upbringing, traumatic experiences and exposure to other narratives which may impact their thinking. Subjective knowledge is often thought of as the ‘weaker’ of knowledges due to its emotional connections when compared to objective knowledge. Contrasting to subjective knowledge, objective knowledge is knowledge that is based on fact. Bromley describes facts as “...thought to be irrefutable, indisputable and provable. They are the basis on which we can make valid arguments” (Bromley, 38). This type of knowledge differs greatly from subjective knowledge due to the lack of personal connection, and therefor the lack of bias. However this does not inherently mean that objective knowledge is more powerful than subjective knowledge. As used as an example in the book, there could be thousands of academic journals indicating that something may be factual, but a person’s subjective opinion can be so strong that it will not sway the individual into adhering to this objective knowledge. It is also vital to recognize that there may be social ‘facts’ that are generally accepted into society which are actually subjective.

Due to humankind’s desire for conformity, deviating against a social norm is discouraged, which can lead to certain traditions or behaviour to be accepted as normal. The example which Bromley uses in her book is the discourse of capitalism. It is accepted as a social fact that capitalism is the way our society works. However there is no logical proof as to why we do this. This knowledge is socialized into children from a young age so that by the time they are able to form their own coherent opinions, capitalism doesn’t seem like a subjective opinion but rather an indisputable fact of life. This is a perfect example of why understanding the difference between objective knowledge and subjective knowledge is imperative. In order to make any social change, humankind must accept that some ways of life that have been long engrained into society are not scientific facts and are able to - and sometimes should - change. Without this understanding, many civil right’s movements acts would not have

succeeded.
Power is a complicated social construct. It is the the ability to influence others. Bromley states, “...if you hold the power, you can set the rules” (Bromley, 5). In a world where hierarchies are a part of the natural order of things (after all, the lion is the king of the jungle), someone must always be on top. As far as evidence goes back, the patriarchy has dominated the power in human society. “Power, in this sense, is exercised as domination over those who are perceived as less powerful: girls, women, and some boys and men” (Bromley, 6). Power is often exerted to enforce the limitations of those who do not hold it. This is used to ensure the difficulty to take away the power. The patriarchy, for example, has long set the standards that masculine traits are more valuable than feminine ones. Because this construct has been in place for most of human history, it makes it very difficult for women to reclaim power. As Bromley discusses, if women portray more masculine traits - which, if seen in men, would be a sign of power - they are often written off. “These are often attempts to silence, dismiss and discredit her and her ideas” (Bromley, 7). Privilege is similar to, but not the same as, power. Privilege is a right granted to a certain person or a group of people. Privilege makes for easier access to power. The contrast is that while many people see power as a sign of determination and hard work, privilege is something that cannot be helped as it is often assigned at birth. Therefor, pointing out privilege can often lead to backlash because no person wants to admit that they didn’t have to work hard to receive their power. “The power and privilege associated with setting the rules, however, is seldom recognized” (Bromley, 5).
Power and privilege operate in many aspects of society. They dictate our governments, our workplaces, our households, even our own thoughts and behaviours. The use of these powers is often discrete, or has been in effect so long that it goes widely unrecognized. A prime example of power would be the wage gap. However, it is vital to acknowledge that privilege impacts this power in different ways. This is discussed in Bromley’s book when talking about what defines equality. “For example, if women seek equal wages with men, but black men earn lower wages than white men, what kind of equality would women seek?” (Bromley, 7). White men are granted a privilege to earn the highest wages, however the implications of privilege set the boundaries that not all men have that power. The rules of power which undermine women have also affected our governments, as the idea of women in power is seen as illogical because feminine traits, such as being too nurturing or emotional, are discouraged in positions of leadership. These are all macro examples of how power and privilege may affect society on the grand scheme, but there are many anecdotal evidences from individuals which could verify the validity of power in our society.
Power and privilege have a great affect on my life as well.

As a white, middle-class woman, I hold much more privilege than people, particularly women, of colour who may fall at or below the poverty line. This has granted me many more opportunities in life, such as the ability to find jobs fairly easily, as well as retaining the resources required to get an education. These are all building blocks to power, as an education hypothetically leads to a well-paying job, which provides financial security and power in a capitalist society. I do experience some backlash when discussing feminist points, usually when in a group of men. I wish I had the privilege to have these debates while taken seriously, instead of being written off as a crazy feminist in attempts to dismiss my opinions. However, as I said, I come from a position of power which I must acknowledge, and understand that my view of feminism is drastically different than those of other women, and it is imperative that I listen to their views as well. This way, together, we can create a better future for feminisms, and for

society.