FEM 2107 Lecture 3: Reading Notes - WEEK THREE

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Women's Studies
• Course: FEM 2107
• Professor: Patricia Kmiec

Document Summary

About identity politics and the way that isolated voices cannot produce change. Millions of voices have to band together to fight against rape and violence towards women. Race, gender and identity categories are seen as negative and are used to marginalize and oppress those with differences. O(cid:272)ial po(cid:449)er deli(cid:374)eati(cid:374)g differe(cid:374)(cid:272)e does(cid:374)"t ha(cid:448)e to (cid:271)e (cid:271)ad; it (cid:272)a(cid:374) (cid:271)e a sour(cid:272)e of e(cid:373)po(cid:449)er(cid:373)e(cid:374)t. Feminist and anti racist discourse fail to consider the intersectionality of identities. (ie women as a (cid:449)hole a(cid:374)d (cid:449)o(cid:373)e(cid:374) of as a su(cid:271)set of the (cid:272)ategor(cid:455) of (cid:449)o(cid:373)e(cid:374)(cid:863) The experiences of women of colour are the product of intersecting racism and sexism. Physical assault is only the most immediate manifestation of the oppression these women face. You cant only address physical violence but also have to look at the different forms of domination these women face which hinder their ability to create alternatives to an abusive situation.