Week 11 Postcolonial Feminism

Question 1

What is the evolutionary “bias” of feminism that characterizes social science? (Lazreg)

Answer 1

the objectification of ‘different’ women as the unmediated ‘other’, the embodiments of cultures presumed inferior and classified as ‘traditional’ or ‘patriarchal’ (282).

Question 2

What is the issue with the “less-than-neutral” labels given to Muslim, Arab, and Middle Eastern women? (Lazreg)

Answer 2

These may not be their identities and it condenses characteristics, devotions and traditions one may identify with (282).

Question 3

Why does Mitzuye Yainada inveighs against the burden placed upon individual Asian-American women to ‘represent’ their racial group? (Lazreg)

Answer 3

Because this reinforces their stereotypes and does not allow for progression and other identities to be present (283).

Question 4

True or False. The term “women of color” is liberating and non marginal. It is empowering and helps escape radicalization. (Lazreg)

Answer 4

False. (284-5)

Question 5

The definition (as Mary Daly uses) to infibulation. (Lazreg)

Answer 5

The practice of excising the clitoris and labia of a girl or woman and stitching together the edges of the vulva to prevent sexual intercourse. It is traditional in some northeastern African cultures but is highly controversial.(dictionary.com).

Question 6

True or False. “ Academic feminism has provided a forum for Third World women to express themselves and vent their anger at their societies” (Lazreg).

Answer 6

True. (286)

Question 7

True or False. Third World feminists feel under pressure to choose between their feminism and their ethnicity or culture (Lazreg).

Answer 7

True (287)

Question 8

Define Religion Paradigm as used in Lazreg’s essay “Decolonizing Feminism”

Answer 8

A dual intellectual tradition, orientalist and evolutionary, resulting in an ahistorical conception of social relations and institutions (288).

Question 9

What are some of the issues of women associated with living under Islamic law? (Lazreg)

Answer 9

1. ) Gender inequality
2. ) Women are seen as embodiments of Islam
3. ) Women are seen as helpless victims forced to live by Islam tenets. The (289)

Question 10

Women’s involvement in the war of decolonization took place through which years? (Lazreg)

Answer 10

1954-1962 (289)

Question 11

True or False. Certain women of color, race, ethnicity and nationality are closer to legitimizing feminism. (Lazreg)

Answer 11

False. All women and men are caught up in an historical web which must be used to find the truth and perspective of feminism (292).

Question 12

What is the main purpose of the feminist collaborative project? (Alexander and Mohanty)

Answer 12

1. ) Take account of the egregious effects of capitalist recolonization
2. ) “Foreground a set of collective political practices that women in different parts of the world had undertaken as a way of understanding genealogies of feminist political struggles and organizing” (560)

Question 13

What are three important elements in our definition of the transnational? (A & M)

Answer 13

1. ) Focusing on similar women in different geographical spaces
2. ) Understanding a set of unequal relationships among and between people instead of people that are Non-US people
3. ) Considering the word “international” “in relation to an analysis of economic, political, and ideological processes that would therefore require taking critical antiracist and anticapitalist positions that would make feminist solidarity work possible (561).

Question 14

True or False. Globalization and Transnational are not closely related. (A & M)

Answer 14

False. Globalization makes transnational analysis possible.

Transnational is connected to neoliberal economics and theories of globalization (562-4).

Question 15

How do WGS and LGBT studies help with the concept of transnational? (A & M)

Answer 15

It helps define terms of racial and gendered spatialization of power. (566)

Question 16

What is the “family photo”? And who or what is missing? (video)

Answer 16

A photo of over 100 world leaders gathered in Paris on the opening day of the UN climate summit.

There are hardly any women present in the photo.

Question 17

Which continent has been praised for “leading the way on renewable energy”? (video)

Answer 17

Africa

Question 18

What is a reason, according to Achakpa, that women are separated from climate change issues? And how does it effect them differently? (video)

Answer 18

They are the creators. Their reproductive ability. Since they are viewed as the “caretakers” they are more “vulnerable” to climate change protection.

Question 19

How do solar power and micro credit relate to women’s development in Nigeria? (video)

Answer 19

Solar dryers help with the mass production of crops that women do not have the storage for them and packaging becomes impossible, according to Achakpa.

Question 20

True or false. Droughts are an extreme issue in Kenya.

Answer 20

True. Sever droughts cause extreme environmental issues and kill off livestock and water access, ultimately affecting the livelihood.