Examples Of Multiethnic Feminism

Multiracial/Multiethnic feminism conceptualizes that gender is intersected by ethnic, racial, social class, gender discrimination and other aspects of socio cultural categories. The theory “focuses on the combined effects produced by gender, racial, ethnic, and social class disadvantages” (Lorber, 232), which effect men and women differently. The ultimate goal of multiethnic feminists is to highlight the importance of considering all forms of oppression including such as ethnicity, race and social class as one single complex system interconnected with gender and indicates that gender cannot be separated form other forms of domination. This theory asserts that gender is constructed by a range of interlocking inequalities; what Patricia Hill Collins calls a Matrix of Domination. “The matrix of domination is a hierarchical stratification system that explains issues of oppression that deal with race, class, ethnicity and gender
discrimination which are all intertwined with one another. White men and women with higher socioeconomic standing have privileges denied to disadvantaged racial and ethnic lower-class women and men in the workforce, political, educational and health care system.” By increasing awareness of commonalities and differences women of all races experience, this theory attempts to make the world understand each individual faces oppression differently based on their environment. An Asian American woman would face oppression differently from an African American woman.
In general, women of colour provide services to their privileged White counterparts. For example in a documentary called My Mother, Your Nanny (2009), an Asian woman comes abroad to Canada to take care of a White family’s kids and leaves her own children behind. This is due to the few resources and access the radicalized group has; hence depend on their privileged counterparts. Multiracial/Multiethnic feminism is also evident within the US since presidency came into play in 1789. As of 2009, the United States of America has not had a radicalized female or male member as a President when Barack Obama was elected as the first African American and radicalized President of the US after two hundred and twenty years of Presidency. Another example that is encountered in the US is how citizenship was defined as white male property owner. In this example we see that white males, patriarchal oppression is presented to white women and women and men of
colour. Although multiracial feminism emphasizes the importance of race as a cause of oppression in a society, this theory has some limitations enabling women and men of colour to achieve a spot in society. Within this theory there are multiple identities that can be created. This theory states multiracial/multiethnic feminism “involves creating new knowledge, culture, theology and ethics from a woman’s point of view” (Lorber, 246). However, this can be quite challenging to men. By valuing traditional cultural values may create more patriarchal oppression for women. As the book states “women’s independence and assertiveness may threaten their men’s ego and sense of masculinity” (Lorber, 231). One can be male or female, white or people of colour, homosexual or heterosexual, upper class or lower class. One’s identity shapes how they are viewed in society and gives them a spot in society. It arises my interest how this theory does not only focus one women’s oppression in society but also makes note that men are also expressed to oppression in society. For example a White woman and a Black Woman may be oppressed by a White superior male, the same way just as a Black woman and man of a subordinate group is oppressed by a white superior male. In both cases women are trying to achieve equality but with the hardships that come with oppression it is no easy feat.