Blog # 10

Textbook: Chapter 7

1. How did African American women approach the issues of reform and suffrage?

The whites saw the African American women as poor and “the tendency of black mothers to work outside the home seemed to white reformers to constitute an insurmountable barrier to their rapid improvements.” (pg 422) However, the African American women shared the issues of reform and suffrage, and fought for their rights. For instance, some black middle class women provided some sources to create kindergartens for working mothers’ children and homes to take care of the slaves with no families. Also, four hundred African American black women’s clubs were associated with the NACW by 1900. Two important African American black women are Terrell and Ida Wells who participated very actively in black women’s movement. Terrell was also one of the few women accepted in the white women’s movement. Other very important African American black women are Sara and Maggie Walkers. They were wealthy, successful in business, and helped their community and women of their race.

2. What were the main differences between the emerging feminist movement and the suffrage movement?

The suffrage movement was an organized movement for women’s political freedom and equality. It was organized by educated women who fought for their political rights and voting rights. On the other hand, the feminist movement was cultural improvement. The idea of feminist movement was to “embrace female individuality, sexual freedom, and birth control.” (pg 433) They were in favor of new lifestyles: living with men in “free unions,” living alone, or living with their lesbian partners. They were fighting for economic independence and more contemporary sexual relationships. In short, the feminist movement was to change the women’s private lives but the suffrage movement was to improve women’s public role. The feminists also explained, “All feminist are suffragists, but not all suffragists are feminists.” (433)

Textbook document ( Chapter 7 pp. 460-463) – “Talks of Feminism Stirs Great Crowd,” and “The Changing Home”

1. What were the various definitions of feminism according “Talks of Feminism. . .”?

There were various definitions of feminism in “Talks of Feminism Stirs Great Crowd.” According Edwin Bjorkman, the definition of feminism was idea of women’s individuality. He says “Woman shall have the same rights as man to be different, to experiment with her own life.” (pg 460) George Middletown considered some points of view to explain the feminism term. He said that according to feminism, men and women are equal and should be educated according to their nature and not according to their gender. Max Eastman said that the definition of feminism is that women should be free and independent like men to be able to do what they are willing to do. Another definition of feminism given by George Creel was that feminism is the women’s movements for freedom, justice, and equality. Henrietta Rodman mentioned the negative effects of feminism by adding that because of the feminism, women would lose the right to alimony and the support.

2. What role does women’s economic independence play in feminist thought?

Women’s economic independence plays an important role in feminist thoughts. It gives the women the opportunity of freedom and the rights to act independently. According “The Changing Home” article the women should have the rights to own properties. Women didn’t have to be tied to “Marriage by Intimidation,” and were able to choose the romantic love. The economic independence also helps the women to earn their own wages and not to depend on their husbands and their money. It gives the women the opportunity to have independent soul and to be free.

3. What is your own definition of feminism?

I think that feminism means fight for equality and freedom for different sexes. According to my definition of feminism, women want to have the same rights as men and fight against gender discrimination. They fight to have equal wages, the same work conditions, the same power, equal choices and opportunities. Women also try to have economical independence and freedom of choices to be able to do what they choose to do. For instance, women want to have the freedom to choose to take birth control pills, choose their lifestyles, and their sexual partners. In short, after reading the chapter, I think the key words of feminism are women’s individuality and independence.