Sexism 3
The three articles chosen for my critical examination are as follows: Jewish, Women, and Lacking "Class", by B. Burstow; White Privilege and Male Privilege, by P. McIntosh; Homophobia: A Weapon of Sexism, by S. Pharr. These three articles have been grouped together due to a common theme they all share. The theme is "invisibility", associated specifically with prejudice, privilege, and "norms". Together, these three articles should illustrate the tremendous influence of invisibility, i.e. when one cannot see a problem or its origin, one cannot relate to it or to its solutions. This invisibility has directly defined our societies understanding of normalcy; and, its effects are twice as damaging as just oppression itself, for it hinders the forward progress of prejudice elimination by potentially masking its detrimental effects. Burstow's article Jewish, Women, and Lacking "Class", begins by introducing the concept of "invisibility" in the oppression of Jewish women. Unlike other forms of oppression, anti-Semitism is often disregarded as a true form of oppression, and this disregard is in itself responsible for a hidden level of prejudice. One aspect of the "invisible" dynamic of Jewish oppression was created thro
The "weapons" of sexism, in addition to homophobia, are economics and violence. The economic weapon is designed perfectly for the male "head" of the household, and all men in general. It consists of: depriving women the opportunity to train for high paying jobs; then using their inability as an excuse not to give them these positions of rank; and finally, allowing an affirmative action policy to give the illusion of equality. These deprived women have no choice but to seek the aid of an economically sound man to survive. Violence, the third weapon, is used to reinforce the domineering quality of the patriarchal system. It is used as a tool for power and control for men, and leads to submission and obedience in women. McIntosh, Peggy. "White Privilege and Male Privilege." Women in Society. Comp. Linda Briskin. York University, North York: Beta Reproductions Inc., 1996. 48-53. Burstow, Bonnie. "Jewish, Women, and Lacking 'Class'." Women in Society. Comp. Linda Briskin. York University, North York: Beta Reproductions Inc., 1996. 77-81. In nearly all cases, it is the white male who unknowingly and/or arbitrarily assumes the role of the superior individual; and it is the women and minorities regarded as inferior by their deviation from the "white male's system" ideologies. This argument clearly shows how threatened society, principally men, feel when subjected to this "strength" of character from Jewish women. Their strength challenges the dominant ideologies of men and consequently seems to issue a more "vulnerable" state within men; thus, men are forced to use stereotyping defense mechanisms. This is a very relevant point--for this defense mechanism is used not only to thwart the positive efforts of Jewish women, but any women who simply wish to exist as men do (equal to, not subordinate to men). Pharr's Homophobia: A Weapon of Sexism, Illustrates homophobia as one of three major means of establishing and maintaining gender dominance. It is such an intense form of oppression, that homosexuals find themselves dividing into two groups: those who choose to hide their sexuality and therefore, live in fear of discovery; and those who show their sexuality and face the dangers of various types of abuse.
Some common words found in the essay are:
Weapon Sexism, Sexism Illustrates, Elders Zion, Male Privilege, Class Burstow, Sexism Pharr, Lacking Class, Reproductions Inc, jewish women, white male, , Women Lacking, homophobia weapon sexism, weapon sexism, unearned privileges, homophobia weapon, women minorities, male privilege, women lacking, white privilege, jewish women lacking, university north york, deviant inferior, york beta reproductions, reproductions inc 1996,
Approximate Word count = 2669
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)
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