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Power in American Politics
Introduction
Since historical times, the society has always grappled with social, economic and cultural disparities. Notably, these have had diverse implications on its functioning with the most profound being the inequalities that they present. In most cases, a segment of the population that assumes a lower position is always disadvantaged and hence faces more challenges than the former. From the dawn of the twentieth century to date, gender and race issues have raised various controversies that have prompted governments and other leaders in the society to address them accordingly through mainstreaming vital changes in the policies employed in governance. In particular, racial prejudice triggered various concerns related to human rights as well as religious values and practices. Likewise gender disparities culminated in the rise and development of the feminist movement that has been fundamental in spearheading change with regard to how women are treated within the society.
The revolution that occurred in the past century can be attributed to the rise of these two ideologies. Several personalities have been associated with these and their efforts in perpetuating relative ideals are indeed commendable. Not only did they enlighten the respective population and the about the inherent social complexities, but their work also influenced policy changes that were geared towards addressing the same. It is in this consideration that this paper reviews the extent to which the analysis of gender in ‘The Feminine Mystique” is analogous to the evaluation of the concept of race in “The Souls of Black Folk”. This is in a bit to underscore the underlying similarities as well as implications on respective populations and social change.
Before the advent of the social movements that spearheaded critical changes in the social fabric, it is worth acknowledging that the society was patriarchal in nature and men were given an upper hand in almost everything. Women were confined to subordinate and reproductive roles that were largely domestic in nature. Likewise, racial prejudice was prevalent and the White population was considered to be superior to the Black population and other mixed races. As such, just like the men in the society, the white assumed an elevated niche and was accorded preferential treatment by the entire society. These beliefs were perpetuated by the male segment and White populations and had various implications on the wellbeing of women and other individual of mixed races in the society.
Just like Du Bois’ “The Souls of Black Folk”, Friedman’s “The Feminine Mystique” triggered various changes in the treatment of respective populations. In particular, Selle indicates that Friedman contributed significantly to the transformation of the perceptions that women were accorded in the society (51). Her information is posited to have led to the rise of the modern women’s movement that advocates for the rights and holistic wellbeing of women in the society. Women in this regard were portrayed as victims of the male dominated society whose ideas restricted them to domestic roles. This was regardless of the fact that they had the power to explore various economic and social domains for their benefit. Notably this led to policy changes that accorded the women and equal right as their male counterparts.
Likewise Gates and Oliver indicate that Du Bois’ prepositions have had various implications on the sensitive yet demeaning issue of racial prejudice (55). Historical studies assert that this ideology stems from the concept of slavery that led to the suffering of the Black and Negro communities. In his review, Du Bois argues that these segments of the populations were classed in a similar category as ox. Just like the women, the author contends that they were considered to be inferior to the rest of the population. However, the introduction of “The Souls of Back Folk” triggered various changes that have significantly reduced racial prejudice in the society. These changes were mainstreamed in relevant policies and institutions and seemingly, the Black and Negro population have been granted their freedom and accessibility to various national resources at their disposal.
Despite these developments, both authors contend that there are intrinsic attitudinal perceptions that undermine the effective implementation of the respective policy changes. Just like the women, persons of mixed races continue to face various challenges that are perpetuated by the conventional attitudes that the population accords them. While Wolfe argues that this can be attributed to the expansive and deep rooted nature of the two ideologies in the society, Stanley and Benjamin lament that this simply implies the non responsiveness of the society to social change (102, 44).
In addition, both authors argue that the efforts of their respective populations to obtain a similar social position as the rest of the populations were frustrated because of the presence of more powerful forces that dictated any form of social change. Specifically, Du Bois argues that the slaves were denied a chance to pursue any form of education and thus their intelligence remained low. Since they had limited choices, they resorted to perseverance and continued to suffer under slavery. The efforts of the women to liberate themselves from the yolks of domestic slavery were on the other hand limited by the traditions and norms of the society that ascribed them to domestic roles. As such, they lacked the chance to pursue education and assume top positions in the society like their male counterparts.
In both instances, it is certain that the society played a critical role in perpetuating the social disparities. The belief that women and the persons of mixed races were inferior was ingrained in the societal traditions and values that had diverse implications on the value system and thought process of the society. It was considered a normal ideology that was important in maintaining social order. The respective populations also appreciated the social discrepancies whose implications seemingly undermined their holistic wellbeing. The slaves contended that they were doomed to being inferior while the women performed their domestic jobs diligently without questioning. These assumptions were crippling and compromised the ability of the population to rise above the problems that they struggled with.
Gibson points out that the assumption of these positions by the respective populations was contributed to by the populations in higher social positions (92). In this regard, it is argued that up to date, the Black population attributes their social inferiority to their inability to pursue their freedom effectively. This presumption stems from the perception that they were accorded by the White population. Similarly, women still consider themselves to be subordinate to men and responsible for domestic duties. This is despite the liberation and enlightenment that they were exposed to by the feminist movement. Horowitz posits that this trend is influenced by the conception that the males are superior to the females (61). It is perpetuated by the system of education as well as religious and social virtues that prescribe the behavior that needs to be upheld by the different segments of the society.
In both populations, the double identity that the society accords them has also played an instrumental role in undermining their efforts to liberate themselves fully from their current positions. With regard to slavery, Du Bois argues that the Blacks and other personalities of mixed races were expected to struggle with maintaining both the black and American identities. As Blacks, they were expected to stick to their low social status as well as uphold the important values and principles that defined their races.
As Americans, they were expected to portray the American social and cultural ideals through language and means of economic production and social wellbeing. On the other hand, Friedman indicates that women were expected to conform to the belief system and social identity that solely defined them in terms of the successes of their children as well as husbands and at the same time maintain their primary role of domestic production. Notably, both populations had an extra task of maintaining both identities without compromising the position of each. This could possibly have had far reaching implications on their ability to function executively in the society.
In both scenarios, authors ascertain that characteristic dehumanization has been passed on through generations. Notably, the perceptions that both populations are currently accorded dates back to historic times. In his historical analysis, Gibson ascertains that slavery for instance was initiated in the sixteenth century but its practice has been passed on to current populations and despite the efforts made by various institutions to counter the scenario, they still present various challenges to individuals of mixed races in America (54). The women have also been affected by the social ideas and irrespective of the efforts of the feminist movement to alter the situation; they are still considered inferior to men.
A typical example in this regard pertains to the experiences that they have had in politics. In this respect, studies affirm that women politicians in the 2008 elections could not realize their ambitions of assuming top leadership positions because of the societal viewpoints regarding their gender. Thus undue attention was accorded to their being ‘women’ as opposed to their ability to function effectively in top positions. Notably, the society accorded these personalities a differential treatment and approved the success of their male counterparts. This is an indication that the traditional conceptions about the position of women in the society are still influential in decision making.
In his research, Wolfe ascertains that both populations contributed significantly to the development of the identity of the personalities that were considered to be in top social positions (102). With respect to the slaves, it can not be disputed that their contribution to building the identity of the American society was significant. Specifically, they provided vital labor that was used in economic production and contributed significantly to the economic welfare of America. Thus their contribution to designing a strong economic base for this country can not be understated. In addition they provided labor in industries as well as in domestic spheres. This gave the Americans an opportunity to explore and assume lifestyles that currently define the social ideals of the population.
Similarly, the women still play a significant role in molding the social identity of their husbands. As indicated earlier, they perform vital domestic roles that influence the functioning of their children as well as their husbands in the social and economic spheres respectively. Most importantly, they offer vital moral and emotional support that encourages their children and husbands to pursue various aspects of their lives. In his review, Selle cites that women assume mothering roles and their support contributes immensely to the holistic wellbeing of their husbands (52). Sadly, in most instances, this is not reciprocated and they have to bear the burden of their mental problems and emotional challenges individually.
Conclusion
Social disparities have been a common societal feature since historical times. It has diverse and in some instances adverse effects on the welfare of certain segments of the society. From the analysis, it can be ascertained that slavery stifled the chances of the Black populations to pursue certain ideals that could improve their social wellbeing. In addition, the conventional patriarchal perceptions had crippling implications on the welfare of women in the society.
Besides giving them the burden of dealing with double identities these ideologies frustrated their efforts of liberating themselves. Even after numerous social and legal efforts have been undertaken to enlighten the women and the Black communities, the ideologies are still practiced within the society and these affect their wellbeing in different ways. It is in this regard that his paper concludes by ascertaining that the analysis of various themes y both authors is similar and just like Du Bois, Friedman explicitly explores the nature of gender in her “The Feminine Mystique”.
Works Cited
Alan, Wolfe. Betty Friedman’s Mystique. The Atlantic Monthly, 1(1999): 99-104.
Daniel, Horowitz. Betty Friedman and Modern Feminism. Massachusetts: University Press, 1998.
Donald, Gibson. Evaluating Du Bois’ Literature. USA: Penguin Books, 1996.
Henry, Gates & Oliver, Terri. Du Bois Works: Impacts, Criticisms and Contexts. USA: Norton, 1999.
Robert, Selle. Feminism’s Matriarch. World and 1. (1998): 51-3.
Stanley, Crouch & Benjamin Playthell. Du Bois’ Themes, Styles and Contexts. USA: Running Press, 2003.
