Katherine Umana
Transnational Feminisms
Professor Holmes
September 26, 2017
Is Feminist Nationalism Possible or Desirable? The combination of feminism and nationalism to form one set of ideals is starting to become more prominent today than it did a few decades back. Feminism is defined as “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes” (“Feminism”) while nationalism is defined as “a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups” (“Nationalism”). When these two definitions are combined, feminist nationalism becomes the idea that a nation is trying to promote overall …show more content…
For women, having the opportunity to be a part of nationalist movements is empowering as it allows them to discover “new public persona[s]” and gives them “an opening for new political participation” (Enloe, 87). Being part of something greater than themselves, gives women this sense that they are making an impact in a field where the main voices have been those of men. Uma Narayan creates the argument that in the eyes of Indian nationalist men, women became a part of the political role that they had to play to improve the status of Indian women. (Narayan, 18). This idea that women are pawns in the nationalist game that men are playing is not unique to Narayan alone, Enloe also makes this argument. Her argument is that women are not given the stage that they need to express their own ideas and goals in the nationalist movements, but rather have been treated as “patriarchally sculpted symbols” (Enloe 87). This plays into the concept of arrogant perception, which is the failure to identify with another person, to understand them and to see them as equals (Holmes). It is because of these reasons, that the idea of feminist nationalism becomes important to women and is something that is desirable in their …show more content…
This notion is very well possible and it could be very desirable if and only if people do not take advantage of it. This movement not only empowers women to be a better version of themselves, but it also brings their stories and experiences to life. They are not bound by the traditions and ideas of the corruption that “Westernization” causes in countries, specially not the ones where men think they are entitled to use women for their own personal agendas. While women will face obstacles to achieve this, when they find within themselves powerful allies, they are able to create a much bigger impact than they
Transnational Feminisms
Professor Holmes
September 26, 2017
Is Feminist Nationalism Possible or Desirable? The combination of feminism and nationalism to form one set of ideals is starting to become more prominent today than it did a few decades back. Feminism is defined as “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes” (“Feminism”) while nationalism is defined as “a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups” (“Nationalism”). When these two definitions are combined, feminist nationalism becomes the idea that a nation is trying to promote overall …show more content…
For women, having the opportunity to be a part of nationalist movements is empowering as it allows them to discover “new public persona[s]” and gives them “an opening for new political participation” (Enloe, 87). Being part of something greater than themselves, gives women this sense that they are making an impact in a field where the main voices have been those of men. Uma Narayan creates the argument that in the eyes of Indian nationalist men, women became a part of the political role that they had to play to improve the status of Indian women. (Narayan, 18). This idea that women are pawns in the nationalist game that men are playing is not unique to Narayan alone, Enloe also makes this argument. Her argument is that women are not given the stage that they need to express their own ideas and goals in the nationalist movements, but rather have been treated as “patriarchally sculpted symbols” (Enloe 87). This plays into the concept of arrogant perception, which is the failure to identify with another person, to understand them and to see them as equals (Holmes). It is because of these reasons, that the idea of feminist nationalism becomes important to women and is something that is desirable in their …show more content…
This notion is very well possible and it could be very desirable if and only if people do not take advantage of it. This movement not only empowers women to be a better version of themselves, but it also brings their stories and experiences to life. They are not bound by the traditions and ideas of the corruption that “Westernization” causes in countries, specially not the ones where men think they are entitled to use women for their own personal agendas. While women will face obstacles to achieve this, when they find within themselves powerful allies, they are able to create a much bigger impact than they