The feminist theoretical tradition examines micro and macro social structures, and confronts patriarchy, power, social convention and gender inequality. Our textbook defines feminism as a sociological school of thought claiming that male domination and female subordination are determined not by biological necessity but by structures of power and social convention (Brim & Lie, 2018, pp.16-17). As I examine the feminist ideology as a woman of colour, the question surfaced, How does this brand of feminism measure speak to the experiences of White and Black women? Is it equal or is the face that represent us mainly that of a White woman? Engaging in meaningful conversations with my two daughters who are both in their 20s added some dimension to the querying process. During one discussion on patriarchy, a word I had not heard before, in conjunction with feminism was introducedintersectionality. From what I am learning and gradually beginning to understand, the background and conversation of intersectionality is intended to shed light on dynamics that have often been overlooked in the feminist movements and theory. The core concept of intersectionality acknowledges the fact that women are not a homogeneous grouping who share the same life experiences; and that do not serve as an accurate representation of the feminism as a whole. The life experiences of women of colour always lay between the intersection of race and gender. As Black women, our experiences are not the same, or equal to White women, or Black men; as such, we are uniquely positioned within an intersection of race and gender which causes us to experience discrimination and marginalization in ways that need to be practically framed. In this way, these experiences are seen and understood by others. Catherine Harnois, in her book,Analytic Interventions of Multiracial Feminism: Measuring and Modeling Sexism with an Intersectional Approach, quotes legal scholar Kimberle Crenshaw who frames this theory of intersectionality. Crenshaw posits that, many of the experiences Black women face are not subsumed within the traditional boundaries of race or gender discrimination as these boundaries are currently understoodThe intersection of racism and sexism factors into Black womens lives in ways that cannot be captured wholly by looking at the race or gender dimensions of those experiences separately (Harnois, 2012, p. 5). While women, regardless of race, may face the possible challenges that gender, ableism, colourism, ageism, heterosexism, and cis-genderism create; White womenwhose position within the macro, patriarchal structure is fairly secure, seem to rarely have to contend with race as a barrier. As a Black woman, if I am to apply for loan at a bank, there is a high chance that my phenotype would be noted first, and could actively undermine my chances of receiving the best service possible. Being within a banking environment may present a few strikes that may work against me. Harnois demonstrates the idea of the environment in her book, Writing primarily about racial discrimination, sociologist Joe Feagin (1991, p. 102) argued that there is a spatial dimension to discrimination and that the probability of encountering racial discrimination depends in part on the environment one is in (see also Feagin & Eckberg, 1980 Roscigno, 2007). A multiracial feminist approach takes this idea one step further, emphasizing that the particular spaces that one moves through on a are largely determined by intersecting hierarchies of race, gender, class, and age (Harnois, 2012, p. 4). As an example of one such space was observed in a short documentary viewed in class, where the experience of one young woman seeking to gain access into a realm dominated by White women was examined. For aspiring Canadian/Jamaican model, Renee Thompson, we see intersectionality vividly conveyed in the short documentary,The Colour of Beauty. As a fellow Islander, her story spoke volumes to me since all Black women in this colonized and enslaved part of the world carry scars of colourism, which until recently, were not easily spoken of. Colourism is described as an internal racism practiced within ethnic groups, and is a residual stain brought about by colonialism and slavery. This type of racism, based on complexion, has functioned to subconsciously shape the perception and personal concepts of Black women regarding their phenotype. In the Caribbean, to be of a darker complexion is to be stigmatized and marginalized; and coveted opportunities and jobs are readily given to those of fairer skin. Despite the fact that most Caribbean governments are administrated by Black men; the Black woman still struggles against the bonds which make her dark skin seem inferior. The pervasiveness of Whiteness and its descending shades amongst women of colour impact upon the way Black girls and women (at the bottom of the colour strata) measure themselves, and are handled or regarded by others. When a woman with a Caribbean background like Renee Thompson describes the scrutiny that is faithfully present throughout all her dealings with modelling agencies, she is conveying the two ideas. First, she is positioned within an intersection of race and gender as she fights to forge a way through a , in order to claim a place within the North American market. Second, she has to confront and overcoming the inner stigmatism inherited from colourism which is deeply embedded from her Caribbean upbringing. From her story we can examine the unreasonably higher standard to which she is held, where any minor physical faulttoo much bottom compared to the more straight physique of the White model, or being probed and dissected for features that look more like a white girl (St.Philip, 2010). Such frustrations to overcome so that she can qualify to represent the designers brand. To succeed, Renee has to be driven and focused. Mediocrity that is acceptable from a White model cannot be her approach. Her efforts have to be twice and thrice as muchyet, from what we have seen in the documentary, her prospects for securing work are still slim. I look at her and see a strong person who is relentless in her dream to make a mark for herself, to kill Fashion Week (St. Philip, 2010). Yet deeper still is a desire to be a pioneer for aspiring women of Caribbean descent to see themselves represented within the ranks of Fashion. There is still much work to be done in order for women like Renee can have a fair opportunity to work in a field that she loves and is good at. It is encouraging to see that this short documentaryThe Colour of Beautyis seeking to raise awareness regarding the biases and stereotypes encountered by women of colour, and hopefully, be one step closer to bring equity and shatter a few glass ceilings. The powerful documentary series, Killing Us Softly by Jean Kilbourne confronts the ways in which American advertising is systemically crafted with sexist and misogynistic images that suppress, victimize, oversexualize, dehumanize and trivialize women, while diminishing their worth. At least 160 prints and television ads are highlighted throughout this film, yet only a token photograph features a woman of colour. She is a Black model dressed in a bright white suit, and positioned halfway across her face is a mask featuring the face of a White woman. The message suggests that the standard of beauty is that of the Eurocentric woman; that the face of a Black woman simply would not measure up, and has to be concealed by a face deemed as beautiful by societys standards. That whiter is better. Today we see Black women responding to this ancient, structurally embedded message that whiter is better. Face and body whitening products geared towards lighten darker skin complexions have become an ever growing, dangerous trend. Jamaican Dancehall artist, Spice, in her 2018 albumBlack Hypocrisy,advocates against the situation facing Black women who feel pressured to conform to a look that is not their own. In her first track she sings, I was told that I would go further, if the colour of my skin was lighter; and I was made to feel inferior, because society said that brown girls were prettier (Spice, 2018, track 1) This track posits that colourism is expressed as a burden upon Black women from her own ethnic group, where the artist states that the face of her accuser is not a Caucasian, but her own Black people pointed the finger of condemnation. The World Health Organization has been valiantly seeking to raise awareness worldwide to the danger of mercury poisoning found in unregulated skin bleaching products. Despite these efforts, skin bleaching remains prevalent in African countries like Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Togo where the highest usage is measured in Nigeria at 77%. (WHO, 2011, p.1). The numerous billboards entice, and showcase images of Black women with their whitened skin, sending the message thatfinally, there is a way to be like White women; now the doors will be open because this unattractive black skin is not the first thing seen and judged by others. The documentaryKilling Us Softlyhas functioned to bring in awareness, and holds great value for exposing the damaging socialization taking place through advertising. Unfortunately, the films attention aligns with a brand of feminism that does not recognize the plight of intersectionality faced by Black and women of other ethnicities. When I consider this documentary, I admit that I was disappointed to see that again, women who look like me, with our range of experiences are not represented. The lens it seems, naturally focuses on dominant White women. While I am thankful to Jean Kilbourne for producing such a provocative, informative film, I could not help but ponder, How is my voice and those of my two daughters being represented in this film? Intersectionality seeks to raise awareness regarding the fundamental societal structures which readily ignore the fact that not all women are regarded, and considered equally; that women of colour and their experiences do not take the same priority. This situation definitely needs to change. This reflection on colourism and intersectionality has served to make me understand my own experiences. Being a person of mixed ethnicity carries its own setbacks, where you do not quite fit into any mold. My own encounter with colourism came about at the age of 9 when my cousin held my inner wrist against her own and asked me, Who is fairer? As hard as I tried, I failed to see the difference between her fairer complexion and my darker one, but a seed of self-doubt was planted that day. Within weeks of moving to Canada at age 21, I had my first experience of being followed at a Shoppers Drug Mart, and asked to empty my purse. I was humiliated and traumatized as a newcomer because I knew that I did nothing to warrant this kind of scrutiny and treatment. I have been stopped by the police and asked for my identification with no valid explanation at least three times. Today I see that I was being racially profiled and this dealing comes with race and gender intersectionality. Even as I type this reflection, I know that I do not want to make the existing inequality and injustice negatively influence me. Knowledge is power, and I simply choose to acknowledge that there is indeed a system of whiteness that has been constructed for some time nowthat the fault is not with a person but the system. My goal is to speak up when I sense that I am being treated unjustly, and educate myself on the best ways to maneuver through challenge ahead.
References
- Brym, R. J., & Lie, J. (2017).SOC(3rd ed., Canadian). Toronto: Nelson.
- Carbado, D. W., Crenshaw, K. W., Mays, V. M., & Tomlinson, B. (2013). INTERSECTIONALITY. Du Bois Review, 10(2), 303-312. doi:http://dx.doi.org.subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/10.1017/S1742058X13000349
- Harnois, C.E., (2013).Analytic interventions of multiracial feminism: measuring and modeling sexism with an intersectional approach. Feminist measures in survey research (pp. 45- 80). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. doi:10.4135/9781452269955
- Kilbourne, J. (1987). Killing Us Softly. Retrieved from“>https://humber.kanopy.com/video/killing-us-softly
- S. (2018, October 23). Spice Black Hypocrisy (Official Music Video). Retrieved November 3, 2018, from
- St. Philip, E. (2010). The Colour of Beauty. Retrieved November 2, 2018, fromca.subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/film/colour of beauty/
- W.H.O., (2011).Preventing Disease through Healthy Environments- Mercury in Skin Lightening Products[PDF]. Geneva: World Health Organization.
Get Professional Assignment Help Cheaply
Are you busy and do not have time to handle your assignment? Are you scared that your paper will not make the grade? Do you have responsibilities that may hinder you from turning in your assignment on time? Are you tired and can barely handle your assignment? Are your grades inconsistent?
Whichever your reason is, it is valid! You can get professional academic help from our service at affordable rates. We have a team of professional academic writers who can handle all your assignments.
Why Choose Our Academic Writing Service?
- Plagiarism free papers
- Timely delivery
- Any deadline
- Skilled, Experienced Native English Writers
- Subject-relevant academic writer
- Adherence to paper instructions
- Ability to tackle bulk assignments
- Reasonable prices
- 24/7 Customer Support
- Get superb grades consistently
Online Academic Help With Different Subjects
Literature
Students barely have time to read. We got you! Have your literature essay or book review written without having the hassle of reading the book. You can get your literature paper custom-written for you by our literature specialists.
Finance
Do you struggle with finance? No need to torture yourself if finance is not your cup of tea. You can order your finance paper from our academic writing service and get 100% original work from competent finance experts.
Computer science
Computer science is a tough subject. Fortunately, our computer science experts are up to the match. No need to stress and have sleepless nights. Our academic writers will tackle all your computer science assignments and deliver them on time. Let us handle all your python, java, ruby, JavaScript, php , C+ assignments!
Psychology
While psychology may be an interesting subject, you may lack sufficient time to handle your assignments. Don’t despair; by using our academic writing service, you can be assured of perfect grades. Moreover, your grades will be consistent.
Engineering
Engineering is quite a demanding subject. Students face a lot of pressure and barely have enough time to do what they love to do. Our academic writing service got you covered! Our engineering specialists follow the paper instructions and ensure timely delivery of the paper.
Nursing
In the nursing course, you may have difficulties with literature reviews, annotated bibliographies, critical essays, and other assignments. Our nursing assignment writers will offer you professional nursing paper help at low prices.
Sociology
Truth be told, sociology papers can be quite exhausting. Our academic writing service relieves you of fatigue, pressure, and stress. You can relax and have peace of mind as our academic writers handle your sociology assignment.
Business
We take pride in having some of the best business writers in the industry. Our business writers have a lot of experience in the field. They are reliable, and you can be assured of a high-grade paper. They are able to handle business papers of any subject, length, deadline, and difficulty!
Statistics
We boast of having some of the most experienced statistics experts in the industry. Our statistics experts have diverse skills, expertise, and knowledge to handle any kind of assignment. They have access to all kinds of software to get your assignment done.
Law
Writing a law essay may prove to be an insurmountable obstacle, especially when you need to know the peculiarities of the legislative framework. Take advantage of our top-notch law specialists and get superb grades and 100% satisfaction.
What discipline/subjects do you deal in?
We have highlighted some of the most popular subjects we handle above. Those are just a tip of the iceberg. We deal in all academic disciplines since our writers are as diverse. They have been drawn from across all disciplines, and orders are assigned to those writers believed to be the best in the field. In a nutshell, there is no task we cannot handle; all you need to do is place your order with us. As long as your instructions are clear, just trust we shall deliver irrespective of the discipline.
Are your writers competent enough to handle my paper?
Our essay writers are graduates with bachelor's, masters, Ph.D., and doctorate degrees in various subjects. The minimum requirement to be an essay writer with our essay writing service is to have a college degree. All our academic writers have a minimum of two years of academic writing. We have a stringent recruitment process to ensure that we get only the most competent essay writers in the industry. We also ensure that the writers are handsomely compensated for their value. The majority of our writers are native English speakers. As such, the fluency of language and grammar is impeccable.
What if I don’t like the paper?
There is a very low likelihood that you won’t like the paper.
Reasons being:
- When assigning your order, we match the paper’s discipline with the writer’s field/specialization. Since all our writers are graduates, we match the paper’s subject with the field the writer studied. For instance, if it’s a nursing paper, only a nursing graduate and writer will handle it. Furthermore, all our writers have academic writing experience and top-notch research skills.
- We have a quality assurance that reviews the paper before it gets to you. As such, we ensure that you get a paper that meets the required standard and will most definitely make the grade.
In the event that you don’t like your paper:
- The writer will revise the paper up to your pleasing. You have unlimited revisions. You simply need to highlight what specifically you don’t like about the paper, and the writer will make the amendments. The paper will be revised until you are satisfied. Revisions are free of charge
- We will have a different writer write the paper from scratch.
- Last resort, if the above does not work, we will refund your money.
Will the professor find out I didn’t write the paper myself?
Not at all. All papers are written from scratch. There is no way your tutor or instructor will realize that you did not write the paper yourself. In fact, we recommend using our assignment help services for consistent results.
What if the paper is plagiarized?
We check all papers for plagiarism before we submit them. We use powerful plagiarism checking software such as SafeAssign, LopesWrite, and Turnitin. We also upload the plagiarism report so that you can review it. We understand that plagiarism is academic suicide. We would not take the risk of submitting plagiarized work and jeopardize your academic journey. Furthermore, we do not sell or use prewritten papers, and each paper is written from scratch.
When will I get my paper?
You determine when you get the paper by setting the deadline when placing the order. All papers are delivered within the deadline. We are well aware that we operate in a time-sensitive industry. As such, we have laid out strategies to ensure that the client receives the paper on time and they never miss the deadline. We understand that papers that are submitted late have some points deducted. We do not want you to miss any points due to late submission. We work on beating deadlines by huge margins in order to ensure that you have ample time to review the paper before you submit it.
Will anyone find out that I used your services?
We have a privacy and confidentiality policy that guides our work. We NEVER share any customer information with third parties. Noone will ever know that you used our assignment help services. It’s only between you and us. We are bound by our policies to protect the customer’s identity and information. All your information, such as your names, phone number, email, order information, and so on, are protected. We have robust security systems that ensure that your data is protected. Hacking our systems is close to impossible, and it has never happened.
How our Assignment Help Service Works
1. Place an order
You fill all the paper instructions in the order form. Make sure you include all the helpful materials so that our academic writers can deliver the perfect paper. It will also help to eliminate unnecessary revisions.
2. Pay for the order
Proceed to pay for the paper so that it can be assigned to one of our expert academic writers. The paper subject is matched with the writer’s area of specialization.
3. Track the progress
You communicate with the writer and know about the progress of the paper. The client can ask the writer for drafts of the paper. The client can upload extra material and include additional instructions from the lecturer. Receive a paper.
4. Download the paper
The paper is sent to your email and uploaded to your personal account. You also get a plagiarism report attached to your paper.
PLACE THIS ORDER OR A SIMILAR ORDER WITH US TODAY AND GET A PERFECT SCORE!!!
