This research paper analyses how race, ethnicity, gender dissonance, racism, sexism and classism affect black women’s lives oppressively, and how womanism is an elixir that saves them from such oppressive forces. It concentrates on womanism as a theory, put forth by Alice Walker. Walker used the term womanism in her collection of essays titled In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens: Womanist Prose published in 1983. Furthermore, this paper focuses on the black womanist of the novel alone, to show how womanists with womanist awareness, grit and substance alone can overcome ethnic conflicts, racism, sexism, classism, and gender dissonance.
Multiethnicity is a common feature of the present day world. This paper concentrates on the fact that, race is an assigned social construct, and ethnicity is an asserted social construct. Ethnic groups within the domain of a larger society display a unique set of cultural traits, and a sense of community. They have a shared ancestry and heritage. They have a degree of consciousness that separates them from others. American society since its inception has been an ethnically and racially diverse one. Large scale immigration has made America the heterogeneous abode of many ethnic communities. Multifarious ethnicity has led to identity crisis, conflict, and competition. In America, African Americans are both a race and an ethnic group. Moreover, they are the most visible ethnic group. African American women have faced sexist oppression, and gender dissonance in addition to racism, classism and ethnic conflicts when compared to their male counterparts. The intersection of racist, sexist and classist oppression has forced African American women, face complex social and psychological realities.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Abstract.
- Introduction
- African American Women and Their Uniqueness
- WOMANISM...
- Alice Walker and her Fiction
- Discussion and Analysis.
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper explores the intersection of race, ethnicity, gender, class, and sexism in the lives of African American women. It aims to analyze how these social constructs create oppressive experiences for black women and how womanism, as a theory put forth by Alice Walker, offers a framework for understanding and overcoming these challenges. The paper focuses on the novel "Now Is the Time to Open Your Heart" to illustrate how womanist awareness and action can help black women navigate complex social realities.
- The social construction of race and ethnicity.
- The unique challenges faced by African American women due to their intersectional identities.
- The role of womanism in providing a framework for understanding and overcoming oppression.
- The impact of racism, sexism, and classism on the lives of black women.
- The significance of ethnic conflicts and gender dissonance in the experiences of African American women.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Abstract: This section introduces the paper's focus on the intersection of race, ethnicity, gender, class, and sexism in the lives of African American women. It highlights the significance of womanism as a theoretical framework for understanding and overcoming these challenges.
- Introduction: This chapter examines the concepts of race and ethnicity as social constructs, emphasizing their impact on the lives of African Americans. It highlights the challenges faced by African Americans as the most visible ethnic group in America, experiencing racism and discrimination.
- African American Women and Their Uniqueness: This chapter delves into the specific experiences of African American women, focusing on their unique challenges and the intersection of race, gender, and class in their lives.
- WOMANISM...: This section introduces the concept of womanism, explaining its origins and its significance as a theoretical framework for understanding and addressing the specific needs and experiences of black women.
- Alice Walker and her Fiction: This chapter examines the work of Alice Walker, exploring how her writing reflects and challenges the issues of race, gender, and class in American society.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This research paper explores the themes of ethnicity, racism, sexism, classism, gender dissonance, ethnic conflicts, and womanism in the context of African American women's experiences. It examines how these social constructs intersect to create unique challenges for black women and how womanism offers a framework for understanding and overcoming these challenges. The paper also analyzes the works of Alice Walker, a prominent womanist writer, to illustrate the power of womanist consciousness in navigating complex social realities.
- Quote paper
- Ratna Hasanthi Dhavaleswarapu (Author), 2021, Ethnicity, Racism, Sexism, Classism, and Gender Dissonance in Alice Walker’s Now Is the Time to Open Your Heart, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1003497
