Mothers Of The Plaza De Mayo Analysis

The Mothers of the Plaza De Mayo were direct victims of oppression. They were not only obvious victims of violence, but also victims of gender exploitation, powerlessness, and cultural imperialism as described by social justice theorist Iris Young. After reading Marguerite Bouvards “Taking space: Women and Political Power,” I have concluded that powerlessness can in fact be overcome, civil disobedience can work to bring awareness to grievances, and a three part strategy, as outlined by David Meyer, is a very important part of effective social justice movements. Author and social justice theorist, Marguerite Bouvard introduces us to The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, who were a group of women in Argentina whose children were “disappeared” through militarized government acts. Bouvard sheds light upon the topic of the mothers and how they overcame their oppressors. During the rule of the Junta in Argentina, women were involved in many problems. The military murdered their husbands and sons and others “disappeared’. There were also claims of pregnant women abduction and after giving birth, they would be killed, and their babies would be given to childless military families (Bouvard). These events led to a movement that was initiated by a group of oppressed women often referred to as the “The Mothers of the …show more content…
That is why their tactics had to be clear and well thought out. According to Bouvard, the government was already trying to install fear in the women through violence. However, Hebe de Bonafini-who was one of the founders of Mothers of the Disappeared-would tell these women that there was no neutrality; she would say, “If you were not supporting the mothers you were against them and you had to be on one side (Bouvard).” The mothers had well thought out tactics, and they would go on to prevail against their