Power and Politics (An Open Letter to Mary Daly)

Working with words

Find the words from the text for these meanings. The first letters have been given for you.

a. reluctance - unwillingness or disinclination to do something
b. repressive - preventing the expression or awareness of thoughts or desires
c. mutilation - the infliction of serious damage on something
d. ghettoized - restricted to an isolated or segregated place, group, or situation
e. history feminist - history viewed from a female or specifically feminist perspective
f. genital - relating to the human or animal reproductive organs
g. hysterectomies - surgical operations to remove all or part of the uterus
h. paranoid - obsessively anxious, suspicious, or mistrustful
i. eventuation - thrusting forward of abdominal organs through the abdominal wall

Complete the chart.

Consult a dictionary and define these terms.

Racism: The belief that some races are inherently superior to others and discrimination or prejudice against people based on their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group.

Lesbian: A woman who is attracted to other women, or a female homosexual.

Radical: Relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something; far-reaching or thorough.

Feminist: A person who supports the movement for the rights and equality of women.

Patriarchy: A social system in which men hold the primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege and control of property.

Underline the consonant clusters in the following sentences.

a. Fluffy went flip-flop all over the floor.
b. The whites sing a song about the striking stars.
c. Here are some flowers and a flask of tea of your favourite flavour.
d. Smita fell ill with flu.
e. My friend is frightened of frogs.
f. Thumbelina stumbled out of the green bush.
g. She heard a rumble and a cry.
h. ‘Climb up’, said Tom.
i. Freedom needs to be strived for.
j. Children were munching crunchy French fries.

Comprehension

Answer the following questions.

a. Why does Audre Lorde think that Mary got a sort of victory in the University of Boston?

Audre Lorde thinks that Mary got a sort of victory in the University of Boston because she mentions that she is glad that many women attended the speak-out and hopes that the show of joined power will make more space for Mary to grow and be within.

b. Why is Lorde thankful to Mary?

Lorde is thankful to Mary for having Gyn/Ecology sent to her, as she found it full of import, useful, generative, and provoking. Lorde also says that many of Mary's analyses are strengthening and helpful to her.

c. What impression has the writer had about the way white women looked upon black women?

The writer has had a long and discouraging history of white women being unable to hear Black women's words, or to maintain dialogue with them.

d. Why did Mary not cast black women as goddesses in her book according to Lorde?

Lorde believes that Mary excluded images of non-European women, specifically African women, in positions of power in her book, Gyn/Ecology.

e. Why did Lorde think that she misused her words?

Lorde believes that Mary misused her words by dismissing the heritage and experiences of non-European women and denying the real connections that exist between all women.

f. For Lorde, how were women, especially from the black community, undervalued?

For Lorde, non-European women, specifically black women, are undervalued by being excluded from positions of power and having their heritage and experiences distorted and trivialized.

g. How does Mary take white women as? Does Lorde agree with Mary’s view?

According to Lorde, Mary views white women as superior to non-white women, and believes that the history and myth of white women should be the only one that all women look to for power and background. She sees non-white women and their history as only noteworthy as examples of victimization or as decorations.

Lorde disagrees with this perspective, as it reinforces white supremacy and disregards the pain and oppression faced by non-white women.

h. What is Afrekete? How does it connect to this lesson?

Afrekete is the collective voice to the tradition of black lesbian writing. It connects to this lesson as the author wants to connect all the black women in the arena of black writing.

Critical thinking

"The oppression of women knows no ethnic or racial boundaries." Do you agree or not? Justify with your reasons.

Yes, I agree that the oppression of women knows no ethnic or racial boundaries. Gender-based oppression is a pervasive issue that affects women all around the globe, regardless of their ethnicity or race. Women around the world face discrimination in various areas, such as education, employment, and political representation, and harmful cultural practices, such as female genital mutilation and forced marriage, continue to be prevalent issues. It is important to acknowledge and address the intersectionality of oppression faced by women, including the ways in which their experiences of discrimination may be shaped by factors such as race and ethnicity.

In terms of education, women in many countries face barriers to accessing and completing their education. Cultural norms that prioritize boys' education over girls', as well as financial constraints that make it difficult for families to afford to send their daughters to school, are some of the reasons why women are denied education. For example, in some countries, girls are pulled out of school early to help with household chores or to be married, which greatly limits their future opportunities and perpetuates the cycle of poverty. This is a clear indication that the oppression of women is not limited to a specific race or ethnicity.

The workforce is another area where women face discrimination. In terms of hiring, promotion, and pay, women often face discrimination. They are often relegated to lower-paying, less secure jobs and are underrepresented in leadership positions. Additionally, women of color and those from marginalized ethnic or racial backgrounds are often further disadvantaged in the workplace, facing both gender and racial discrimination. This is another clear indication that the oppression of women is not limited to a specific race or ethnicity.

Politically, women are underrepresented in positions of power, especially in countries where political systems are highly patriarchal. Even in countries where women have the right to vote and run for office, they are often underrepresented in government, and their voices are not heard as much as men's. This lack of representation perpetuates discrimination and disadvantages women in terms of policies and laws that affect them. This is yet another clear indication that the oppression of women is not limited to a specific race or ethnicity.

In conclusion, the oppression of women is a complex and multifaceted issue that affects women of all ethnicities and races. It is important to acknowledge and address the ways in which different forms of oppression intersect and impact women's lives. This includes understanding the unique experiences and challenges faced by women of color, and working towards creating a more equitable and just society for all women.

Why is it important to question our beliefs and values? How are they set up in a person’s mind?

Questioning our beliefs and values is crucial for personal and societal growth and development. Our beliefs and values shape our understanding of the world, guide our actions and decisions, and influence our relationships with others. Without questioning them, we risk perpetuating harmful or discriminatory ideas and practices and miss out on new perspectives and understanding.

The process of questioning and re-evaluating our beliefs and values allows us to ensure that they align with our current understanding and align with our personal and societal goals of fairness and equality. It also helps us to recognize that our beliefs and values are not fixed and unchanging, but rather are subject to change and evolution as we gain new knowledge and experiences.

Beliefs and values are formed and set up in a person's mind through a combination of factors such as family, culture, religion, and personal experiences. Family, culture, and religion can provide a sense of belonging and identity, and personal experiences can shape our understanding of the world. By questioning and re-evaluating our beliefs and values, we can consider and incorporate new perspectives and understanding into our beliefs and values.

In summary, questioning and re-evaluating our beliefs and values is important to ensure they align with our current understanding and societal goals, to recognize that they are subject to change and evolution, and to consider new perspectives and understanding. It is a continuous process that allows for personal and societal growth and development.

Have you ever faced or witnessed cases of racial or sexual discrimination? Write a short account.

I have witnessed cases of racial discrimination. One instance that comes to mind was when I was in class, and one of my classmates made a racist comment towards another student. The student was visibly upset by the comment and the class fell into a tense silence.

I was shocked and saddened by this behavior, and I knew that it was not acceptable. I spoke up and told my classmate that their comment was racist and hurtful. I also reported the incident to the teacher, and the classmate was given a warning and made to apologize to the student they offended.

This experience taught me the importance of recognizing and speaking out against discrimination. I learned that it's crucial to create a safe environment for all students and that it's important to stand up for others when they are facing discrimination. I also learned that it's important to report discrimination to the authorities so that they can take appropriate action. This experience reinforced for me the importance of standing up for what is right and creating a more inclusive environment.

Write an article for a national daily on "The Status of Women in Nepali Society."

The Status of Women in Nepali Society

The status of women in Nepali society has been a subject of concern for many years. Despite the country's progress in areas such as education and economic development, women in Nepal continue to face significant challenges in terms of gender equality.

One of the major challenges faced by women in Nepal is discrimination and violence. Women in Nepal are often denied equal opportunities in education, employment, and political representation. Additionally, violence against women, including domestic violence and sexual assault, is a pervasive issue. According to a report by the National Human Rights Commission, more than two-thirds of women in Nepal have experienced some form of violence in their lifetime.

Another major challenge facing women in Nepal is poverty. Women in Nepal are disproportionately affected by poverty and are more likely to live in poverty than men. This is due in part to the fact that women in Nepal are often denied equal opportunities in education and employment, which limits their ability to earn a livelihood. Additionally, women in Nepal are often responsible for the care of their families, which can make it difficult for them to participate in the workforce.

Despite these challenges, there have been some positive developments in recent years in terms of women's rights in Nepal. The government has implemented a number of policies and programs aimed at promoting gender equality, including the National Policy for the Empowerment of Women and the National Action Plan for the Empowerment of Women. Additionally, there have been efforts to raise awareness about women's rights and to provide support for victims of violence.

However, there is still a long way to go in terms of achieving gender equality in Nepal. It is important that the government, civil society, and the international community continue to work together to address the challenges faced by women in Nepal. This includes increasing access to education and employment opportunities, providing support for victims of violence, and raising awareness about women's rights. Only by working together can we hope to achieve a society in which all women can live with dignity and equality.

In conclusion, the status of women in Nepali society is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires attention from government, civil society and international community. Despite some progress, there is still a long way to go in terms of achieving gender equality in Nepal. It is important that the government, civil society, and the international community continue to work together to address the challenges faced by women in Nepal, and to create a society in which all women can live with dignity and equality.

Grammar

Adjective order

Adjective order in grammar refers to the order in which adjectives are used to describe a noun. The general rule for adjective order in English is to use adjectives in the following order:

1. Opinion adjectives (e.g. beautiful, ugly, nice)
2. Size adjectives (e.g. small, big, tall)
3. Shape adjectives (e.g. round, square, rectangular)
4. Age adjectives (e.g. young, old, ancient)
5. Color adjectives (e.g. red, blue, green)
6. Origin adjectives (e.g. French, Chinese, American)
7. Material adjectives (e.g. wooden, cotton, metallic)
8. Purpose adjectives (e.g. cooking, decorative, sleeping)

Examples:

• "A beautiful, large, round, old, wooden table".
• "A small, rectangular, red, Chinese, silk purse"

It's worth noting that there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, when using two or more adjectives of the same type, they are generally listed in the order of importance or emphasis. Additionally, when using an adjective that modifies the entire sentence, it is usually placed at the end of the sentence.

Examples:

• "A table, old and wooden"
• "The dress, beautiful and vintage, was my grandmother's"
• "The meal, delicious and well-prepared, was enjoyed by everyone"

Additionally, in certain cases, the adjective order may vary depending on the context, and in such cases, it is best to consult native speakers or to read more on the topic.

Choose the correct alternative.

a. an old foreign car/a foreign old car
an old foreign car

b. a beautiful white dress/ a white beautiful dress
a beautiful white dress

c. a nice tall young man/a tall nice young man
a nice tall young man

d. a big black wooden desk/ a black wooden big desk
a big black wooden desk

e. a delicious Italian pizza/ an Italian delicious pizza
a delicious Italian pizza

f. a huge brown bear/a brown huge bear
a huge brown bear

g. a purple cotton sleeping bag/ a cotton purple sleeping bag
a purple cotton sleeping bag

h. a beautiful old Indian village/an old beautiful Indian village
an old beautiful Indian village

i. a cute little kitten/ a little cute kitten
a cute little kitten

j. an expensive antique /an antique expensive table
an antique expensive table

Put the adjectives in the following sentences in the correct order.

a. I bought (red/ a /comfortable/new) scooter.
I bought a comfortable new scooter.

b. She reached home and sat on (relaxing/old/her/wooden) chair.
She reached home and sat on her old relaxing wooden chair.

c. We ate (Chinese/delicious/some) food.
we ate some delicious Chinese food.

d. I need (golden/delicious/some/round) apples.
I need some delicious round golden apples.

e. We like to live in a (calm/unmediated/remote) place for some time.
We like to live in a calm unmediated remote place for some time.

f. She is wearing (silver/beautiful / a(n)/ old) ring.
She is wearing an old beautiful silver ring.

g. I am looking for (golden/stylish/a/Japanese) watch.
I am looking for a stylish Japanese golden watch.

h. She dropped (old/china/attractive/a(n)) cup and smashed it.
She dropped an old attractive China cup and smashed it.

i. He wants to marry (young/pretty/educated/a(n)/rustic) girl.
He wants to marry a pretty young educated rustic girl.

j. We stayed in a (luxurious/five star/new) hotel in Dubai.
We stayed in a new luxurious five-star hotel in Dubai.