The End of Oppression for Jamaican Women

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Recommended: Bailey, B. (2003). the search for gender equity and empowerment of Caribbean women

The End of Oppression for Jamaican Women

Women have been oppressed in many places and in many different ways over the years, but in Jamaica this continuing trend is finally to be broken. "Sexual or gender inequality represents as essential and integral feature of social relations and culture construction in Jamaica, where for the past four hundred years colonial and imperialist exploitation has governed the development of economic, political, and sociocultural patterns and structures."(Harrison: Women in Jamaica's Urban Informal Economy pg. 12)

Women have different roles in politics, economics and religion than their counterparts. It is important to know not just the general role of women, but it is also important to know where they come from. Women have not played a big role in politics, have been oppressed economically, and have not received equal pay. In the Rastafarian culture women are subservient, this is slowly changing. Where does this leave Jamaican women? A race looking for strong women role models.

"Black women do not lack heroines or role models. They do though, need to rescue them from the shadows of selective history." (http://www.internurse.com /marymain.htm) Throughout the history of Jamaica there have been great women leaders and musicians, such as, Nanny of the Maroons, Queen Omega, Mary Jane Seacole, Marcia Griffith, Judy Mowatt, and Sister Carol. Currently it is very important today in Jamaica for young girls to have role models. Not only has Jamaican society and Rastafarian culture suppressed women, but other countries have as well.

Going way back in history to the 1700's one can find a strong woman who is still talked about today. Nanny of the Maroons lived in the 1700'sm when people living in Ja...

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..., 1997, URL: http://www.bobmarley.com/life/legacy/rita/ritainterview.html.

Steffens, Roger, "Rita Marley", URL: http://hem.passagen.se/perdavid/ritaM.htm. 4/3/00.

Timm, Bob, "Interview with Sister Carol", Nov 3, 1999, URL: http://ska.about.com/entertainment/ska/library/1999/aa110399b.htm. 4/11/00.

United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, "Consultation on Gender and Industrial Policy", Aug. 1995, URL: http://www.unrisd.org/html/focus/focus1/eng/f1e12.htm. 4/3/00.

Webmaster@jamaicaway.com, "Excellent Nanny of Maroons", 1999, URL: www.jamaicaway.com/Heroes/NannyPage.html. 4/3/00.

Webmaster@sit.edu, "Jamaica Gender and Development", Jan 10, 2000, URL: http://www.sit.edu/studyabroad/americas/jamaica.html. 3/25/00.

Whitemanm, Burchell, "Nanny of the Maroons", Feb. 1998, URL: www.kasnet.com/heroesofjamaica/nan/nan/nan1.htm. 4/3/00.

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