Gender Roles In African Diaspora

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Contrary to popular belief, gender is an essential component in defining the African diaspora. Most societies outside of and within the West are patriarchal in nature. However, it is imperative to recognize how gender can be a key factor in redefining what scholars already believe about the African diaspora. Therefore, it is important to always note that gender is a critical component in defining the African diaspora. It is also crucial to note that defining gender within itself can be complex, because the notion of gender is continuously changing depending on a person’s individual identity. More specifically, how gender is manifested within the West versus outside of the West can tremendously differ. Thus, due to intersectionality it is apparent …show more content…
For example, in the video Voices of the Sidis, Heena holds multiple positions within her family and society. She is a mother, beautician, lab assistant, and most essential to her society the spirit medium of Mai Mishra. Heena stated that, “Many people approach me with their problems, and they make me also a ‘Bava’ (a Holy person).” People within her society have no concern with her being a woman, because they admire her attributes to the society. This example challenges traditional notions of gender, because women are not recognized for having multiple roles. Women in the West are discouraged from obtaining multiple positions. In this patriarchal society, some men only expect women to be keepers of the home. Thus, this also leads individuals who are inside of the mythical power circle to neglect the discoveries that are done inside of the household. In “Fact Making and Feminism” Ruth Hubbard argues that, within the household women have developed science in their own way. Hubbard continued to write that, “…just as our society downgrades manual labor, it downgrades knowledge that is produced in other than professional settings, however systematic it may be.” So, scientist and those that create facts often ignore the discoveries that have been made by women throughout the years. Hubbard also noted that society, “… downgrades the orally transmitted …show more content…
If a person is white, they are automatically given privilege in society. Even though America is a patriarchal society, white women are undoubtedly given more privilege than non-white women. For instance in the video Free, White, and 21, Howardena Pindell recalled a plethora of racist experiences that she has endured. She described a racist situation that occurred, when she was applying for a secretarial position. The white women who came to seek a job were told to fill out an application, and that they would be contacted if any positions are made available. However, when Pindell or any other non-white women asked about applying for the position, they were denied the opportunity to fill out an application. Pindell’s experiences are not foreign for a non-white woman in the West. This example exposes how race can determine how a person experiences gender. It also reiterates the traditional notions of gender, because women that are non-white have been discriminated against in society for many
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