Feminist Principles and Minority Concerns: Contributions, Problems, and Solutions

Abstract

This article examines three basic tenets of feminist theorylideology as examples of feminist principles that are particularly compelling in informing social work practice with ethnic minorities. It further delineates problem areas in the operation of these principles in relation to Third World communities (especially women) and incorporates suggestions made by minorities for solutions to these concerns. Finally, it illustrates how ethnicsensitive feminist practice might better serve the needs of people of color.Feminism is the political theory/ideology and practice that struggles to articulate the concerns of all oppressed people, although it speaks directly to issues that affect women. This inherent definition easily explains why feminism has something positive to offer for combating racism. Unfortunately, the inclusive nature of the philosophy of feminism has been generally ignored in a divisive effort to portray feminism as a partisan movement that addresses only the &dquo;narrow issues&dquo; of women. According to Smith (1985, p. 6), this viewpoint maintains that in comparison to the &dquo;larger struggles&dquo; of minorities of coloc, women's issues are &dquo;apolitical concerns.&dquo; Vocal supporters of this notion, however, have failed to explain how the elimination of racism will eradicate the effects of sexism on the lives of minority women. Moreover, the compartmentalized view of oppression has prevented the development of an interactive perspective that could demonstrate that &dquo;all partisan movements add to the fullness of our understanding of society as a whole&dquo; (Walker, 1983, p. 330).

Mental health and well‐being of black women: Toward strategies of empowerment

“…Gutierrez (1990) defines empowerment as a process of increasing personal, interpersonal or political power which allows people to take action to improve their life situations. She points to both macro level definitions of empowerment and micro level ones, but joins Gould (1987) and Morell (1987) in the need for empowerment theory to concentrate on the interface between the macro and micro levels. Such a theory would define how individual empowerment can contribute to group empowerment, and how the increase of a group's power can enhance the functioning of its individual members.…”

Interacting Oppressions

“…P. H. , Gould (1987), Hooks (1983), Smith (1986, and others have explained ways in which societal attitudes and discriminatory treatment have had pervasive negative effects on personality development and social progress for women in general and women of color in particular. They have reiterated the basic principles behind consciousness-raising: the first step in freeing oneself from oppression is to tell one's own story in Downloaded by [Northwestern University] at 01:34 26 December 2014 one's own voice.…”

“…According to Gould (1987), this "compartmentalized view of oppression" prevents an interactive approach to understanding the lives of those who are multiply oppressed (p. 6). She has indicated, rather, that it is important to emphasize the similarity of experiences to foster unity among those who suffer from multiple oppressions.…”

“…Gould (1987) and others pointed out differences in ideology, agendas, and solutions within the women's movement and among feminists of color. Although some minority feminists view family and racial bonds as paramount, others consider it vital to expose sexism within their ranks.…”

“…Other writers have focused on the social and political role of stereotypes in justifying adverse social conditions, such as limited employment options and various forms of violence against minority women (Higginbotham, 1986;Martinez, 1986;Weick & Vandiver, 1982). Still others have stressed the divisive effects of stereotypes about feminists that separate women of color from the resources of the women's movement (Gould, 1987;Smith, 1986).…”