Feminist Activism

When I was very young, my parents would take me and my sister to powwows, which are Native American social gatherings. Singing, dancing, and feasting are all characteristic of the powwow, as powwows serve as a means of experiencing Native American culture. During my time at the powwow held at UCSD, I served as an audience member for many of the traditional Native American performances. Through the viewing of these performances, I gained much insight into their symbolism and significance, and I was also able to contextualize some topics discussed in the course.

Early feminism was typically focused only on white women, likely because racism was still extremely prominent at the time feminism began emerging. It was not until Kimberlé Crenshaw introduced the term “intersectionality” in 1989 that feminism started to look at oppressed group’s needs (Nash, 2008, 2). Intersectionality is a way of thinking that acknowledges that when a person has identities that belong to more than one oppressed group, it impacts their quality of life more negatively. In this paper, I will argue that intersectionality is important in the discussion of feminist theories and activism because it ensures that feminism is for all women, not just a select group of them. Intersectionality has changed the way the feminist movement handles the overlapping of different identities, which has helped feminist theorists understand the experiences of women of colour much more clearly. While intersectionality has a very important role in the conversation and practice of feminism, there are certainly critiques of the concept that should be brought up. These critiques, however, can offer a way to improve the study of intersectionality.

On a warm February morning, I had the opportunity of interviewing someone who has heavily influenced the Choctaw Nation and as a result changed multiple communities throughout southeastern Oklahoma. That person was former chief of the Choctaw Nation, Greg Pyle. Greg Pyle was born in California, but moved to Oklahoma later in his childhood. He was heavily influenced by his father who never went to college, but read him books about business, which led him to obtain a bachelors in business, and a minor in psychology at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Despite having several achievements, including being assistant chief for thirteen years, principle chief for seventeen, and being inducted into the Oklahoma hall of fame, Mr. Pyle had a gentle, humble, and a family minded persona.

Attending my first Native American powwow was a very intriguing cultural experience to be apart of, and that I was grateful I was able to attend. This was an event that I would not have attended if it were not for this project and I ended up learning a lot about this culture that is around us. Every Native American tribe has their own version of this culture, however, all tribes gather in a powwow, a cultural event that strengthens the unity of the tribe. My informants name is Gary Watson, an elderly man, who has attended powwows for many years. He and his wife were participants in the powwow this year and were also there to watch their grandchildren participate for the first time. I

Since 1961 indigenous people have faced many historic issues. Many of the historic problems was an effort to destroy their cultures and change the way of their life, for example the residential schools. Thankfully many indigenous people are still living after all the harm that has taken place and we are continuing to make an effort for

The Ziibiwing Center is a museum and cultural center of The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal Center, located in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. The permanent exhibition explains the story of the Anishinabek people. The museum explores how they once lived during four seasons. Also, on display, were item they used for clothing, jewelry, and tools, as well as photos from late 19th century.

Throughout the semester, we have looked at the long history of non-natives playing Indian and white people performing Indian identity for their own benefit. This is evident in Deloria’s discussion of Morgan and his followers dressing up in Indian costumes, and Barbour’s discussion of Marvel appropriating Indianness to emphasize the heroic masculinity of Captain America. I decided I wanted to learn more about pow wows because they are a performance by natives and for natives to celebrate their culture and customs. Pow wows are a time when Native identity and culture can truly be celebrated and not be tinged with misrepresentation or appropriation. In order to do this, I examined a 1995 documentary called Wacipi – Pow Wow. I thought that the

Prior to this course, I had a general understanding of the history and colonization of Native Americans. Coming from a family that celebrates our Native American culture, I knew that it was my responsibility to accept and embrace who I was and share my knowledge with others. My family is from the Pine Point community of the White Earth reservation; growing up I was always sure to listen to the stories of my elders and understand the hardships that have taken place in my family. I have always tried to help and correct those around me who have incorrect preconceived ideas about Native Americans. Even though I have never looked the part of being American Indian with my Swedish bright blonde hair and blue eyes, I have never been discouraged to embrace my culture and be an advocate.

The Ziibiwing Center is museum and cultural center at The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribal Center in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. The permanent exhibition explains the story of the Anishinabek. Anishinabek believes in the seven prophecies. The museum explores how they once lived in their four seasons. Also, what they used to use as clothing, jewelry, and photos from late 19th century.

To establish rapport, I made contact with the head of the Native American student council at EOU and attended one of the Speel-Ya Club meetings on campus to get to know some of the native students. The project was explained and discussed with them through e-mail. They were particularly helpful in informing me of the Speel-Ya Club meetings and sending word to native students about my project. My subjects were interviewed face to face via digital voice recorder or email interview if they felt uncomfortable with having their voice recorded. I kept in mind that “it may be surprising when Native Americans are reluctant to engage in a proposed research project, even if the outcome is anticipated to be beneficial” (Harding, et al.

I had the opportunity to visit the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways on Saturday, April 15, 2017.It is located on the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Reservation in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. I live in Shepherd, which is only about fifteen minutes away from Mount Pleasant, so I went to the Ziibiwing Center over Easter break. My parents, my sister, and a friend who was staying with us for the holiday also decided to go to the museum.

In this class, I was presented with an opportunity to reflect upon my personal knowledge of Indigenous

When we chose Cambodia as our country I was really excited to learn more about the country as I had spent some time in the region. The summer after my sophomore year of High School I spent the summer in Thailand. During this summer I learned so much about South East Asian culture and I was excited to see how my (limited) knowledge of Thailand compared to what I was to learn about Cambodia. Many of the cultural aspects were very similar, the roles of men and women, the prevalence of Buddhist teachings and codes, and the societies formation around rules of respectability were all similar to what I had experienced in Thailand. Due to my focus on modern activism it was very hard to find a concrete feminist movement per say but the land rights activism is inherently feminist in nature.

I wonder why it took such an extended time for women to come up with a feminist spiritual movement in the Church, since it seems like they have been oppressed for so long? Feminist spirituality is a relatively new field that has grown out of the struggle of women for equality in both society and Church (CTM p. 184). Feminist spirituality is an expression of a current theology that has originated in Latin America that emphasizes the theme of liberation from oppression (CTM p. 255). Additionally, I wonder if the Second Vatican Council had something to do with the upbringing of this movement? I also wonder if the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s, provided women with the fearlessness to march for their rights in society and the Church? Feminist

FEMINISM Introduction to Sociology  Feminism Belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes. The movement organized around this belief. Feminism Feminist Theory is an outgrowth of the general movement to empower women worldwide.