Katherine Mckinnon Theory
"Katherine Mckinnon and Feminist Legal Theory, Emancipation or Oppression?”
The female question, or the feminist enterprise can be traced back to Mary Wollstonecraft and her suffragettes in the early 1900s. The movement has led to considerable leaps that have been made in the domain of policy, through the placement of a considerable influence on issues such as rape, harassment, prostitution, the Equal Rights Amendments etcetera. Regardless of such unprecedented and significant gains driven by the Feminist initiative, Feminist ideology seems to have discovered a new point of contention. This particular contention is in the province of jurisprudence. The feminist advent in jurisprudence has sought to challenge state based and individual
…show more content…
McKinnon’s engagement with the race and class question is quite superfluous. For her, these categories stand disposable in the search for a greater truth, the essentialism of a “woman” lying behind the veil of all these differences (Bartlett). This means that women who belong to different classes, races or even sexual orientations are collectivized and homogenized under a singular banner of womanhood. This brings about two distinct harms. Firstly, the sense of belonging that these women have to questions other than the “feminine” one is stripped away and appropriated to an entirely different discourse. (Resnik) The aspirations of femalehood, must necessarily always be prioritized over other identities that may be tribal, familial or even cross-cultural. The biggest criticism of this is that even when the aspiration of femalehood may be universalized, its expression must be a product of historical social circumstance. Such an expression would come about with a constant interaction between multiple identities, with the subject, the women, free to come to terms with her femalehood through the nuanced lens of historical and social context (Harris). McKinnon’s model of superimposing a unitary identity upon a subject handicaps her theory. This is so because her wishes in creating a grand narrative are inconsistent with …show more content…
In actuality, her “dominance theory” is just one of the few strands that have and are still gaining currency in feminist academic circles. MacKinnon’s analysis is persuasive, with special reference to the manner in which a society divided along gendered lines preserves the status quo, to the benefit of the male, who has created reality in a way which allows him to apprehend it to the best of his interest. Yet, Mackinnon’s theorizing sees two critical flaws in how it’s larger end-goal of female emancipation is crippled by elements of “dominance” because of the essentialist traits in her theory. In addition, another problem arises with the manner in which that dominance is entrenched and often propagated by the glorification of certain tropes just as “whiteness”, “heterosexuality” etc. All in all, one can sense a sharp disconnect in the purpose for which the theory is created and how Mackinnon’s arguments can be discredited with reference to accomplishing those lofty goals. It may not just be post-modern criticism that might have undone her work. It may just be the scope of her
Why Is Florence Kelly Important For Women During The Early Twentieth Century?
1151 Words | 5 PagesWhen Kelly claims, “We can enlist the workingmen on behalf of our enfranchisement just in proportion as we strive with them to free the children” (Kelly 11) . Kelly’s intention of this speech was to pursue reforming children’s rights in labor; however, by trying to find a solution to the strict children labor laws, it required women to seek men for assistance for women’s liberty since men are the ones with authority. Still being in a patriarchal society, Kelly motivated social equality with examples like “If mothers and the teachers in Georgia could vote […]” (10) or “Would the New Jersey […] enfranchised” (10)? This began to advocate the feminist ideology, that women should have the same opportunities as men such as “enjoying the right of petition” (10). As the feminist perspective sprouted in the minds of women, the idea of asking men for assistance began to show irony, because who would want to help their opponent achieve their goal?
Rsc 184 Final Paper
691 Words | 3 PagesThe generic feminist movement consists of “white, middle-class heterosexual women” (Tong 42). These women focus on their needs, and neglect the specific needs of many women of color, who are often of a lower socioeconomic standing. White feminists focus on liberating the oppressive “housewife role,” (Tong 214) and fail to even attempt to include minority women who may in fact dream of a life in which they were able to stay home with their children. White feminists “fail to realize that it is possible to oppress people by ignoring their differences” (Tong 214). This issue makes it difficult for many non-white women to relate to or desire to be a part of the feminist movement.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton: The Argument Of The Women's Rights Movement
1135 Words | 5 PagesElizabeth Cady Stanton was, no doubt, one of the most important activists for the women’s rights movement in the nineteenth century. Not only was she the leading advocate for women’s rights, she was also the “principal philosopher” of the movement . Some even considered her the nineteenth-century equivalent of Mary Wollstonecraft, who was the primary British feminist in the eighteenth century . Stanton won her reputation of being the chief philosopher and the “most consistent and daring liberal thinker” of the women’s right movement by expounding through pamphlets, speeches, essays, newspaper and letters her feminist theory . However, despite being an ardent abolitionist during the Civil War who fought for the emancipation of all slaves , her liberal feminist theory was tainted by a marked strain of racism and elitism that became more conspicuous as she started pressing for women’s suffrage .
At The Dark End Of The Street Analysis
1468 Words | 6 PagesThe author uses a variety of other works to support this analysis of dynamics of race, masculinity and power. However, in referencing newspaper articles, the author admits that these tactics effectively shifted the conversation of the female involvement in civil rights activities and addresses how the bias
Civil Rights Movement Strategies
1682 Words | 7 PagesSame Objectives, Different Strategies: The Transformation of the Feminist Legal Strategy The fight for women’s rights had never been easy for feminists and at the outset of the 1960s, women’s legal equality seemed momentarily out of reach. The chaotic social and political landscape of 1960’s America was as much a blessing to feminists, as it was a burden. The civil rights movement had picked up momentum from landmark judicial decisions and simultaneously fostered a discussion about the opportunity for women’s legal equality.
America By Ginsberg Analysis
718 Words | 3 PagesIdentity is an important part of a person’s life, no matter where it comes from. Identity distinguishes one person from another and makes us all individuals through aspects such as skin color or personal beliefs. A person’s identity can be based on many aspects of their life; whether it comes from their family history or something they were taught, or from their own personal exploration of themselves. The poem “America” by Allen Ginsburg shows how political views and opinions on current events can shape one’s identity through the feeling, or lack thereof, of patriotism for their country. In A New Generation Overthrows Gender, author Jon Brooks discusses a form of gender identity that deviates from what is considered “normal” and how traditional
Intersectionality, And Violence Against Women Of Color Analysis
645 Words | 3 PagesIn yet another article entitled “Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics”, Crenshaw writes “The paradigm of sex discrimination tends to be based on the experiences of white women; the model of race discrimination tends to be based on the experiences of the most privileged Blacks [men]” (Crenshaw). Crenshaw’s discussion here highlights the marginalization of women of color--if feminist theory derives from a white racial context, and antiracist policy is predicated upon the experiences of African-American men, there is no room to express the distinct experience of women of color. To focus on the evolution of the feminist movement, it is clear that the basis of women’s rights originated
Combahee River Collective Statement
3302 Words | 14 PagesIt is crucial for feminism, specifically white feminists, to acknowledge the shortcomings of the movement. Kendall argues that white women must recognize their privilege and how it can be used to perpetuate oppression. She notes that white women are not just “passive beneficiaries” of racist oppression. Instead, they have actively participated in white supremacy and racism. Throughout history, the myth of white women lacking the power to oppress others has been perpetuated.
Summary Of 1970's Failure To Liberate American Women
307 Words | 2 PagesIn this paper I will be going over issue 17, “Has the Women’s Movement of the 1970’s Failed to Liberate American Women?”. Sara M. Evans and F. Carolyn Graglia each voice their opinions about the issue. They talk about the history of the women’s movement throughout time and the effects it had in our country. F. Carolyn Graglia writes about how she agrees the movement has failed to liberate American women. Her views on feminism concluded that the feminist movement of the 1960’s and 1970’s was a reasonable but a faulty idea, in that it was based on a worthy opinion (that all men and women should be equal).
Intersectional Feminism
216 Words | 1 PagesAmerican history repeatedly contradicts itself by placing superior value on certain groups more than others. Intersectional Feminism is the understanding of how women’s overlapping identities--including race, class, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation--impact the way they experience oppression and discrimination. Anyone who possesses identity privilege share a difficult time including feminism for women who cannot determine which identities are in most dire need of liberation from inequality. Without intersectionality, feminism is only an academic jargon disconnected from the real world. Consequently, the concept White Feminism allows the further exclusion of issues that specifically affect women of color.
Oppression By Marilyn Frye Analysis
608 Words | 3 PagesDuring this week, we have covered numerous topics, none more prominent than the oppression of women. Everyone had different opinions, allowing me to take into account different views on the issue. In one of the texts we examined, “Oppression”, Marilyn Frye, a philosopher, debates the subjugation of women. She states the cultural customs that causes oppression of women. I do agree with her view that women are oppressed, but I do not agree that it is just women.
Similarities Between Elsie Hill And Florence Kelley
641 Words | 3 PagesElise Hill, represented the National Woman’s Party, strongly believed securing the freedom of women and feared that if the new amendment were adopted then everything that woman had gain “...would remove them at one stroke” (VOICE OF FREEDOM 156). Florence Kelley, the head of the National Consumers’ League, suggested that women need special protection by the government. She proposed that “women will always need many different from those needed by men” (VOICE OF FREEDOM 156). Both of these position demonstrates how the full equality of women would overturn the economic security and legal protection of mothers and wives. However, there were some women who believed that gaining political equality was enough therefore, women no longer needed special legal protection.
Theme Of Childbirth In Frankenstein
524 Words | 3 PagesAnother point mentioned would be her loss of her first child. Around the time she lost her child you could imagine she was writing Frankenstein's monster trying to fit in but being shunned; turning to murder while she grieved her dead
Rhetorical Analysis Of We Should All Be Feminist By Adichie
269 Words | 2 PagesAdichie, with her “We Should All Be Feminists” Tedx Talk, persuades the audience that no matter what race, nationality or even age a person has, everyone should be a feminist. The main reason behind her argument is that feminism seeks equality in order to acquire a more just society. Moreover, Adichie describes how even women enforce patriarchal gender roles. She gives the example on how she gave money to a valet in a restaurant and he looked at her boy friend, who was accompanying her, and said “Thanks, sir,” as if the money was given by Adichie’s friend and not her. In this way, the speaker claims that this not only enforces gender roles, but also hurts boys when they are still developing their personalities and identities.
Feminism In The Novel 'Sula' By Toni Morrison
2006 Words | 9 PagesThey argue that although there are feminist ideas established throughout the book, it doesn’t fit under the feminist ideology or definition. Many say that feminism is the “political, social, and economic equality of the sexes” and that Morrison is not advocating for this in any way (Watkins). Critics fail to understand that although that is the modern day definition of feminism, it may not have been the definition of feminism back in the twentieth century setting of the novel. Women faced different forms of discrimination back during that time when compared to today.
More about Katherine Mckinnon Theory
Why Is Florence Kelly Important For Women During The Early Twentieth Century?
1151 Words | 5 PagesRsc 184 Final Paper
691 Words | 3 PagesElizabeth Cady Stanton: The Argument Of The Women's Rights Movement
1135 Words | 5 PagesAt The Dark End Of The Street Analysis
1468 Words | 6 PagesCivil Rights Movement Strategies
1682 Words | 7 PagesAmerica By Ginsberg Analysis
718 Words | 3 PagesIntersectionality, And Violence Against Women Of Color Analysis
645 Words | 3 PagesCombahee River Collective Statement
3302 Words | 14 PagesSummary Of 1970's Failure To Liberate American Women
307 Words | 2 PagesIntersectional Feminism
216 Words | 1 PagesOppression By Marilyn Frye Analysis
608 Words | 3 PagesSimilarities Between Elsie Hill And Florence Kelley
641 Words | 3 PagesTheme Of Childbirth In Frankenstein
524 Words | 3 PagesRhetorical Analysis Of We Should All Be Feminist By Adichie
269 Words | 2 PagesFeminism In The Novel 'Sula' By Toni Morrison
2006 Words | 9 Pages