Author: Anta Goumbala

Anta Goumbala DB#13


DB #13

As human beings we have all at one point been in a relationship. We all need to be in a healthy relationship with the significant other. One of the things that the workshops stressed was when in a relationship there is always a way that we need to treat one another with respect. Relationships are somewhat complex because of the fact that we have to give our fair share of efforts to make sure that relationships survive. Healthy relationships involve having total respect for one another. Another take away from the workshop is that there is a need for sacrifice for any healthy relationship. We find ourselves in need to get support from the people we are in any relationship and one of the biggest things is to make sure that we respect the people we are in relationships with. Respect usually leads to doing things that will make those in relationships with us comfortable. By respect, we have to value what others want and make sure that they are comfortable in any relationship. What left me wondering is the fact that we need to take the diversity in any relationship as a strength and develop it in a good way. That is something I would like to explore and understand better.

Anta Goumbala: Essay#3

Disparities in the Workplace

The wage gap is a statistical indicator, usually used as an index to show women’s earnings relative to men’s. There has been the growth of women’s labor, and research has shown that women are even working more hours. Despite all this progress, there has been a significant wage gap between men and women. There is a difference between what women earn versus what men earn, with women earning less than men. The difference is usually seen across industries, and there have been explanations as to why it is like that. One of the reasons given for the gendered wage gap is differences in industries or jobs worked. This difference can be seen in many industries and companies (Gap, 2020). The so-called women’s jobs traditionally held by a majority female workforce, including health aides and care workers, tend to have lower pay than the so-called men’s jobs that the male workforce is most like building and construction. Another reason may be seen in terms of the differences in years of experience. In this case, we see that women are disproportionately driven out of the workforce because of duties like caregiving, which makes them have less experience than men.  This has also created the wage gap in many industries.

Another reason is differences in hours worked. In this, we see that women tend to work fewer hours as they have to accommodate caregiving and other unpaid obligations like taking care of their families. This creates a difference in payment, as men tend to work more hours. There is also the issue of discrimination, which despite being illegal it is still very rampant. Wage discrimination thrives in places where they discourage open discussions. Discrimination is usually not encouraged, especially when people are doing the same job, yet there is discrimination regarding payment.

Other types of gendered disparities in the workplace include an unfavorable recruitment strategy, which discriminates a particular gender, specifying that male candidates alone should only fill the role. This creates an unfavorable climate for candidates who want to fill job vacancies. Another disparity comes in the form where there are different opportunities where career progression in a company favors men more than women. From this, you get that most women have slower career progressions than their male counterparts. Men are given more opportunities for career progression than women that amount to bias in the company as sometimes even women who deserve promotions do not get them at all (Cundiff, & Vescio, 2016). Another disparity is holding sexist views in the workplace, like having outdated gender stereotypes that target women. The sexist views permanently curtail career progression as people tend to overlook others very much. For instance, a gender stereotype like women does not make good leaders, which curtails women’s progression in the workplace. Another disparity is sexual harassment, which usually acts of gross misconduct towards men or women, which has serious consequences. Sexual harassment affects a lot of people, and it can make one quit a job. People who have powers in the workplace usually perpetuate it.

To address these issues, there is a need to have a conversation geared towards having a comfortable workplace for all people. There is a need to create an environment that allows people from both genders to work comfortably and achieve career progression. There is a need to have equal treatment in the workplace and reduce the wage gap. Women are supposed to be given equal opportunities just like men in the workplace to work better and career progression; what is essential is what someone offers, not gender.

References

Gap, G. P. The Simple TruTh

Cundiff, J. L., & Vescio, T. K. (2016). Gender stereotypes influence how people explain gender disparities in the workplace. Sex Roles, 75(3), 126-138.

Anta Goumbala:final project


Feminist Memoir

In Ijeoma’s article, “Because you’re a Girl,” she discusses her experience living in Nigeria in a family that there were distinct gender roles. The issue of gender roles in a society there is usually the expectation that is placed. I lived in a family and community that valued gender roles, and we were supposed to conform to them and do as per what the community dictated. When as young girls, we were not allowed to go out unless accompanied by our brothers. In Ijeoma’s article, she talks about how she was raised in a country where a set of rules was created to define a woman’s responsibility to her family in her community. As a child, she was required to prepare meals for the family, take care of her brothers and attend school. Despite all this, she did not disrespect her parents, and she did as she was supposed to. Ijeoma got a way to express herself and her true identity in school, where she could control her destiny. 

These experiences are some that almost all of us go through. My life was almost the same because we would do more chores than our brothers despite being of the same age in the house. The issue of gender inequality raises many questions all over the world today. The roles that we are taught are usually different depending on gender. Elements in intersectionality interact and intertwine, and this results in unique identities for individuals. We all have our own experiences of discrimination and oppression. Therefore, we must consider everything that marginalizes people in terms of gender, class, race, and sexual orientation. Through intersectionality, I was able to understand the roles that the different genders play in society. 

Intersectionality means that through the experiences we have gone through, there might have been marginalization that has happened to us. In intersectionality, there is the assertion that several sources of oppression often disadvantages people (Anzaldua, 1987). There is the recognition that identity markers do not exist independent of each other, and each informs the other in a way that creates a convergence of oppression. From my experience, gender, color, and class converged to make my life. As a woman of color, some expectations were placed on me, and most of the time, I got minimal opportunities.

The earliest memory I had about my gender was the fact that while our brothers were allowed to go out and play, we were only allowed to do that on the condition that our brothers accompanied us. As girls in the family, we were not very much allowed the freedom to leave the house. There was no equality at all, and most of the time, we were left to do the house chores while the boys are out playing. There was a way that we were supposed to behave even around the house. This influenced how my life turned, and as I grew up, I knew the roles that I was supposed to do as a woman. In Ijeoma’s article, she states that she was supposed to take care of her brothers and cook for her family despite going to school. This shows inequality whereas as a girl you have to do more than boys although you are of the same age.

From the society that I lived there were so many gendered expectations that we went through. I learned so much from these gendered expectations and knew my position as a girl. For instance, as girls, we were always expected to be in the house before 7 o’clock, and my parents were very strict about this. There are usually expectations that society puts on and expects the different genders to adhere to dressing, behavior, and presentation. I knew that my parents expected my brothers to be aggressive and bold (Collective, 1977). As girls, my mother always told us to be polite, accommodating, and nurturing. I learned that society consistently placed some values in how we carried ourselves, and we were always supposed to conform to the expectations. In school, things changed a bit as we were all treated equally, and that is where I could express my identity well. Even though in school, things were different, there were still some levels of expectations placed on us. As girls, there was a way that we were treated by teachers in school, which was sometimes different from how boys were treated. All these gave me lessons to know my position as a girl in society at all times. At one time, my mother denied us playing time but allowed the boys and said that we are not expected to be outside all the time because, as girls, we are not expected to be outside.

I have come to accept some things that society has put in as gender norms throughout my life. However, there are some gender norms that I have been able to challenge because I don’t believe in them. For instance, as a girl is supposed to be always in the house, I challenged because I believe that both boys and girls are supposed to be given enough time to socialize. In the article by Ijeoma, at one time, as she was washing the dishes and her cousin approached her, telling her to hurry up so that he could drink water. She felt frustrated by this, and she ended up having an outburst with her cousin. I have constantly challenged the idea of objectifying women to men throughout my life, and I believe all should be treated equally. Despite all these expectations, there is supposed to be equal treatment. There are so many other gender norms that I have accepted, like how I am supposed to present myself and how I dress, which to me is more of my character.

In life, whether in terms of family, friendships, or relationships, gender plays a significant role. In many of my friendships that I have had, we are usually equal, and we treat each other that way. In the work that I do, there is usually Equality when it comes to payment, and anybody can do any job without considering gender. In the relationships and friendships that I have been in, there are gender plays a significant role in that there is a way that I am supposed to present myself. As a woman in friendships that I have been in, I am supposed to be humble and most of the time, it is the men who make decisions on what we are supposed to do. At times, I usually quarreledwith my male friends because they want to dictate everything and believe that we as ladies should be passive. A friend of mine was in a relationship, and his boyfriend was always insisting that all decisions were supposed to come from him, and my friend would ask before doing anything. In such relationships, gender plays a role as the man becomes the leader and always tells the girl what to do. Gender here is what dictates the decisions to be made and who is to make what decisions. In our family, gender played a role; there were things that I have done in the house because, as a girl, my parents restricted me. My parents always insisted that we were supposed to do the house chores for us,although the boys could help. An experience that I had was when I visited a neighbor and found out that in the house, it was exclusively girls who were supposed to make meals and do all house chores. Gender played a huge role in my parents’ choices, and up to date, my mother is usually skeptical about some things that I do, which she thinks should be reserved for boys. My parents always maintained that many house chores were supposed to be done by the girls, and the boys would only help. When it came to opportunities, boys were always given priority,and I remember one time I complained to my father about it. He had to change and start giving all of us equal opportunities.

According to my, feminism is all about giving equal opportunities to both genders. Feminism should be about affording Equality for opportunities and spaces where there is level ground for all. I can define feminism as having equal opportunities for all genders and having a level playing field for the genders where no gender feels marginalized. Most of the time, women and girls are not given opportunities, and feminism addresses this by ensuring equal opportunities. Feminism is essential because it promotes Equality and affords every gender the best opportunities to excel and do well.  With Equality, everyone will be able to do better and have the chance to excel.

References

Anzaldúa, G. (1987). Borderlands/La frontera: The new mestiza.

Collective, C. R. (1983). The Combahee river collective statement. Homegirls: A Black feminist anthology, 264-74.

Collective, C. R. (1977). ‘A Black Feminist Statement’ (pp. 210-218). na.

Assessment

I feel that my project met my goals because I could discuss all that appertains feminism in the memoir. I linked my experience very well and discussed all that the materials had. From the help that I got from the instructor and others, I incorporated it into the project by looking at where I was corrected and made sure that I did it to my best. My project has used every excellentexperience, and I think that is my project strength. If I had more time, I would continue so that I can discuss more insights. I enjoyed explaining my experiences, although it was somehow difficult to link them to what the materials had.

I have done my best in the project; hence, I deserve an A forexcellent work.

Anta Goumbala Essay#2


Second-wave Feminism

The Second-wave feminism that was in the 1960s to late 1980 focused on issues of equality and discrimination. They focused on women’s cultural and political inequalities as being linked together, and they encouraged women to think of their personal lives and the way they reflected sexist power structures. They united to achieve fi al liberation from male supremacy. They wanted to fight to liberate women and empower them politically. They believed that women were victims of false beliefs that require them to identify themselves through husbands and children. According to them, this notion causes them to lose their own identities and identify through their families. The wave believed in creating equality and stopping discrimination. At the time, the idea was that women could find fulfillment through being homemakers and bearing children. This notion was vehemently opposed by the feminists who wanted women to identify themselves politically, and this could be achieved by creating equality and ending discrimination. At that time, most women were limited in terms of careers. This wave came when women were returning to their work as housewives and mothers after the second world war. After the world war, women’s positions to replace men who had gone to war were supposed to leave them for the men who were now returning from war. The women created their own popular culture, and they spread the movement through films, music, and books.

In the Redstockings Manifesto, which outlined the vision for feminists, they say, “Women are an oppressed class. Our oppression is total, affecting every facet of our lives.”(Redstockings, 1970). From this quote, it is clear that women felt that they were oppressed and not given the space for development. According to them, the oppression was dragging them down in all facets of life. They believed that they were exploited as sex objects, breeders, domestic servants, and cheap labor. At the expense of their development, women were supposed to be homemakers and bear children. Women were considered inferior beings, and their sole purpose was to make men’s lives better. This was a sign that they were denied their humanity. Women had been reduced to objects to enhance the lives of men. The oppressors, in this case, were men who see women as mere objects that are supposed to enhance their lives and make homes better. This reading resonates with me because it laid bare the issues facing women and their need to liberate themselves.

In the article by Judy Brady, “I want a wife,” there is still the same message. She defined a wife and a husband, and the reading became very famous. In the article, she says, “Why do I want a wife? I would like to go back to school to become economically independent, support myself, and support those who depend on me. I want a wife to take care of my kids as I go to school” from the quote we can understand that the issue of homemaking and family was what was keeping women away from developing themselves (Brady, 1972). The author says that she wants a wife to take care of her children while she is away. This shows that the role of wives was just to be a homemaker and raise kids for men. They could not get any space to go out and have self-development. 

In both texts, the message is one: women needed to be liberated and achieve self-development. To achieve development, there was a need to redefine the roles of a wife from just merely a homemaker and someone who is meant to enhance the man’s life to someone proactive in society. The readings resonate so much with my belief because women were oppressed, and they needed empowerment.

References

Redstockings, M. (1970). Redstockings manifesto. Sisterhood Is Powerful: An Anthology of Writings from the Women’s Liberation Movement, 533-536.

Brady, J. (1972). Why I want a wife. 75 Readings: An Anthology, 325-327.

Draft

Feminist Memoir

The issue of gender roles in a society there is usually the expectation that is placed. I lived in a family and community that valued gender roles, and we were supposed to conform to them and do as per what society dictated. When as young girls,we were not allowed to go out unless accompanied by our brothers. In Ijeoma’s article, she talks about how she was raised in a country where a set of rules was created to define a woman’s responsibility to her family in her community. As a child, she was required to prepare meals for the family, take care of her brothers and attend school. This points out the issue of gender equality.

Elements in intersectionality interact and intertwine, and this results in unique identities for individuals. We all have our own experiences of discrimination and oppression. Therefore, we must consider everything and anything that marginalizes people in terms of gender, class, race, and sexual orientation. Through intersectionality, I was able to understand the roles that the different genders play in society.

The earliest memory I had about my gender was the fact that while our brothers were allowed to go out and play, we were only allowed to do that on the condition that our brothers accompanied us. As girls in the family, we were not very much allowed the freedom to leave the house. These were the expectations we were given in the family, and as girls, we were supposed to spend a lot of time doing chores and helping out with many things in the house.

Every society has its gendered expectation that they adhere to. There are usually expectations that society puts on and expects the different genders to adhere to dressing, behavior, and presentation. From a young age, I knew that my parents expected my brothers to be aggressive and bold. As girls, my mother always told us to be polite, accommodating, and nurturing. I learned that society consistently placed some values in how we carried ourselves, and we were always supposed to conform to the expectations. I learned a lot about gendered expectations from my family, where each gender was expected to do something as per the community’s norms. Although there is a thin line in my friendships, there are some roles that are played depending on the gender.

There are so many norms that I have challenged throughout my life, while at the same time, I have learned to live with others. I have always challenged the idea of objectifying women to men throughout my life, and I believe all should be treated equally. Despite all these expectations, there is supposed to be equal treatment. There are so many other gender norms that I have accepted, like how I am supposed to present myself and how I dress, which to me is more of my character. 

In the relationships and friendships that I have been in,there are gender plays a significant role in that there is a way that I am supposed to present myself. In our family, gender played a part, and there were things that I have done in the house because, as a girl, my parents restricted me. Gender plays a significant role in many relationships, work, family, and friendships we find ourselves.

I can define feminism as having equal opportunities for all genders and having a level playing field for the genders where no gender feels marginalized. Most of the time, women and girls are not given opportunities, and feminism addresses this by ensuring equal opportunities. Feminism is all about equality and not making women bigger than men, and it is an essentialingredient in our society today

Anta Goumbala DB#10

The question I would like to bring to class for discussion is about the issue of gender-based violence. What are some of the challenges that might happen when developing responses that do not rely on sexist, racist, classist, and homophobic criminal justice? Survivors of sexual violence must be protected and make sure that their safety is guaranteed. Criminalization has led to many women finding themselves in conflict with the law,especially women of color, from poor backgrounds, lesbians, sex workers, among others, and this brings the question of what strategies can be fronted to make sure that women who suffer from gender-based violence are safe and not in conflict with the law. There are numerous side effects to this, like funds being overly channeled to policing and prisons yet minimal reaches women welfare programs such as shelters and public housing. 

When we rely too much on the criminal justice system,women do not get the power to organize themselves because they become disempowered and alienated collectively. The reliance on criminal justice has brought in individualistic approaches in the fight against violence. How can we end the endless and rampant forms of harassment like street harassment, harassment at workplaces, and intimate abuse? Which are the best strategies apart from policing and prisons, which can end gender-based violence? There are other groups like LGBT that face brutality, and there have to be ways to make them safe. What are some of these strategies that can be used?

DB#4

Feminism Second Wave​​

Feminism Second-Wave

The 1960s saw the emergence of second-wave feminism,which to a great extent focused on equality and discrimination. It identified the cultural and political inequalities that women were facing. The main issue was inequality towards women, which came on the run of the civil rights movement that worked to fight oppression. The feminist wave, with their slogan “The Personal is Political,” encouraged the women to see how their personal lives reflected how power structures were sexist. In Redstockings Manifesto by the Redstockings of the Women’s Liberation Movement, it supported the women’s movement andemancipation. Among the writings that were prominent in advancing the ideas of the feminists included Redstockings Manifesto and The Politics of Housework which looked at the oppression of women. They wanted to eliminate any prejudice that was against women. They tried to achieve internal difference and called on women to unite and achieve liberation from men’s oppressors. The main objective was to emancipate women and make them liberal. The people were criticizing gender inequality and wanted women to be liberalized. One similarity is that they all focused on the inequality that women faced and wanted women to fight the oppression as one. Through this, the wave of the 1960s and 1970s was meant to address the inequalities that were there.

Reference

Willis, E. (1984). Radical feminism and feministic radicalism. Social text, (9/10), 91-118

DB3

Relationship between Women’s Movement and ich might have been denied to them. From all these movements what can be deduced is that the American people will always fight for their rights and that is what makes them very aggressive. Among the movements that have graced the USA include the Abolitionist movement and Women’s rights movement. The abolitionist movement had the objective of doing away with slavery whereas the Women’s rights movement wanted to end social oppression (DuBois, 2021). A look at them both it is understood that both were fighting for social inclusion of their various groups. Both movements wanted to grant members from their groups a better life that would include social inclusion. With slave trade continuing, the abolitionist movement wanted to grant the slaves freedom as well as end social discrimination that was being experienced between the whites and the blacks. On the other end, the women’s movement was fighting for them to have a right to vote as well as the lack of opportunities for women. 

Looking at the above what can be concluded is that both movements had the same objective of granting their members the right to freedom. While slaves were physically enslaved, women were socially enslaved. The Abolitionist movement can be said to have given the Women’s rights movement the power and will to fight. Women just like slaves did not have any right to divorce, own land, vote among many other rights that they were denied. The objectives of the movements brought them together in a bid to fight for freedoms (DuBois, 2021). The Women’s rights movement and the Abolitionist movement provided an opportunity to those who had been downtrodden and oppressed (both men and women) a chance and an opportunity to have a common goal and fight together for their basic rights. The two movements provided the platform for men and women to fight together so that they could be granted the rights that they had been denied.

Reference 

DuBois, E. C. (2021). Suffrage: Women’s Long Battle for the Vote. Simon & Schuster.

DB#2: The system of patriarchy

This a social system where men take the crucial power and preponderate in political leadership roles, property control, moral authority, and social privilege. We can mostly participate in the patriarchal system through male lineage inheritance. For instance, male gender inheriting power from their parents.

It’s a social system where men take the crucial power and preponderate in political leadership roles, property control, moral authority, and social privilege. We can mostly participate in the patriarchal system through male lineage inheritance—for instance, the male gender inheriting power from the society or external environment. While patriarchy is inherited and relies more on the male gender, according to the individualistic model, success is not through the person’s relationship with society or external environment but individual achievement. Through patriarchy, we understand some powers, previlages or authorities are from a specific gender, which isn’t the case in an individualistic model—for example, someone’s relationship with God.