Terms

Question 1

Biological Determinism

Answer 1

A general theory holding that a group’s biological or genetic makeup shapes its social, political, and economic destiny.

Question 2

Black Feminism

Answer 2

Feminism that centers on Black women as agents of knowledge in confronting race, gender, and class oppressions. A key component is that in order to create significant change, there must be an emphasis on both changed consciousness of individuals as well as the social transformation of political and economic institutions.

Question 3

Colorism

Answer 3

Prejudice based on the relative lightness or darkness of the skin. Generally a phenomenon occurring within one’s own ethnic group. (Berry & Duke, Dark Girls documentary)

Question 4

Commodification

Answer 4

The process of turning people into things, or commodities, for sale; an example is the commodification of women’s bodies through advertising

Question 5

Conscientization

Answer 5

A methodology for understanding reality, or gaining a “critical consciousness,” through group dialogue, critical analysis, and examination of people’s experiences and conditions that face them, which leads to action to transform that reality.

Question 6

Discrimination

Answer 6

Differential treatment against less powerful groups by those in positions of dominance

Question 7

Dominant Culture

Answer 7

The values, symbols, means of expression, language, and interests of a group of people in power in society.

Question 8

Essentialism

Answer 8

The view that some people have some inherent essence, or characteristics and qualities that define them.

Question 9

Fat Activism

Answer 9

A social justice movement that focuses on ending discrimination based on size. It is also concerned with the intersections of body size and other forms of oppression such as racism, sexism, classism, and ableism.

Question 10

Femicide

Answer 10

The mass murder of women simply because they are women

Question 11

Gender Roles

Answer 11

The roles and behaviors considered culturally appropriate for women or men.

Question 12

Globalization

Answer 12

Contemporary form of cultural and economic integration facilitated by electronic and economic media, international financial institutions, trade agreements, and national immigration policies

Question 13

Hegemonic Feminism

Answer 13

A focus or pattern within feminisms that deemphasizes or ignores a class and race analysis, generally sees equality with men as the goal of feminism, and has an individual rights-based, rather than justice-based vision for social change.

Question 14

Hegemony

Answer 14

A dominant organizing principle or the permeation throughout society of the ruling elite’s values, attitudes, beliefs, and morality. To the extent that people internalize this prevailing consciousness, it appears natural.

Question 15

Heteronormativity

Answer 15

The portrayal of the institution of heterosexuality, its norms and practices, as natural and inevitable

Question 16

Heterosexism

Answer 16

Attitudes, actions, and institutional practices that subordinate people on the basis of their GLBTQ identification

Question 17

Ideology

Answer 17

Ideas, attitudes, and values that represent the interests of a group of people.

Question 18

Institutionalized Racism

Answer 18

The systematic distribution of resources, power, and opportunities through institutions such as the government, corporations, academics, etc, that disenfranchises people of color.

Question 19

Liberal Feminism

Answer 19

A type of feminism that understands the oppression of women in terms of unequal access to existing political, economic, and social institutions.

Question 20

Misogyny

Answer 20

The intense hatred of women and the attitudes and behavior accompanying it
(Segato)

Question 21

Multiracial Feminism

Answer 21

A feminist framework that is not focused on a singular or unified feminism but a body of knowledge situating men and women in multiple systems of domination. It encompasses several emergent perspectives developed primarily by women of color whose analyses are shaped by their unique perspectives as ‘outsiders within’—marginal intellectuals whose social locations provide the a particular perspective on self and society.

Question 22

Normative Institutional Arrangements

Answer 22

Boundaries that shape social interactions and establish control over social environments

Question 23

Objectification

Answer 23

Attitudes and behaviors by which people are treated as if they were “things”

Question 24

Post-Colonial Feminism

Answer 24

A perspective that critiques Western imperialism and imperialist tendencies of Western feminism and emphasizes historically defined colonial power relations that provide a foundational context for women’s lives and struggles for change.

Question 25

Postmodern Feminism

Answer 25

A type of feminism that critiques and resists universalizing claims about gender, experience, race, etc. The category of “woman” is a constantly shifting signifier.

Question 26

Radical Feminism

Answer 26

A type of feminism that focuses on men’s control of women’s sexuality and reproduction and critiques gender roles within relationships, sexuality, violence, and institutions. Works to eradicate patriarchy and create women-centered ways of living.

Question 27

Situated Knowledge

Answer 27

Knowledge and ways of knowing that are specific to a particular historical and cultural context and life experiences.

Question 28

Social Constructionism

Answer 28

The view that concepts that appear to be immutable and often solely biological, such as gender, race, and sexual orientation, are instead defined by human beings and can vary, depending on cultural or historical contexts.

Question 29

Socialist Feminism

Answer 29

A type of feminism that understands the oppression of women in terms of two interconnected and reinforcing systems: patriarchy and capitalism.

Question 30

Standpoint Theory

Answer 30

The view that different social and historical situations give rise to very different group and individual experiences and theories about those experiences. Standpoint shapes a person’s view of the world and what she or he may or may not be able to comprehend about it.

Question 31

Stigma

Answer 31

A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.

Question 32

Structural Racism

Answer 32

Policies and practices that are in place through institutions, relationships, and expectations that perpetuate colorism (Dr. Cheryl Grills, Dark Girls documentary)

Question 33

Subjugated Knowledge

Answer 33

Knowledge generated from positions of subordination.

Question 34

Symbolic Capital

Answer 34

Recognizable qualities, attributes, or objects that are given value (capital) within dominant culture or historical contexts. For example, Nakano-Glenn discusses the conceptualization of skin color as a form of symbolic capital.

Question 35

Theory

Answer 35

An explanation of how things are and why they are the way they are; a theory is based on a set of assumptions, has a perspective, and serves a purpose.

Question 36

Transnational Feminism

Answer 36

Feminism without borders that links scholars and activists in “non-colonized” dialogue across differences. This includes a commitment to avoid reproducing inequalities among feminists that parallel those among nations.