Feminism Reflection

 I have gained new perspectives and ideas on my view on feminism and what it means to me throughout this course. Through discovering and discussing so many influential female figures, I have seen numerous examples of courage, strength, and resilience. These are the main traits I’ve taken from authors such as Eva Hoffman, Audre Lorde,  Maxine Hong Kingston, Beryl Markham, and Sara Suleri. One aspect I think that all of the authors carry is their ability to rise above the odds and the barriers that females faced at the time. For so many of these feminists, they grew up at a time when society said they were less than and not good enough or should have the same opportunities as men, but they all defied this norm and pursued a passion and life they built for themselves. 

    First, Eva Hoffman's work "Lost in Translation" highlights the challenges of adapting to a new culture and the impact of gender roles on one's identity. Her story shows the importance of recognizing the power of gender and culture in the feminist movement. Eva Hoffman does an excellent job stressing the significance of language and accepting our identities in her quote, " "It's not that we all want to speak the King's English, but whether we speak Appalachian or Harlem English, or Cockney, or Jamaican Creole, we want to be at home in our tongue. We want to be able to give voice accurately and fully to ourselves and our sense of the world."

    Additionally, Audre Lorde highlights the importance of being able to talk about issues of discrimination and oppression that affect women of different races, classes, and sexualities. Audre Lorde was able to rise above and share her beliefs even as a lesbian, black woman, who faced plenty of discrimination for her identity. Words from Lorde that highlight this importance for women and acceptance is when she states, "I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal, and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood."

    Similarly, Maxine Hong Kingston's book "The Woman Warrior" explores the impact of cultural expectations and gender roles on the lives of Chinese-American women. 

    Beryl Markham's memoir challenges stereotypical gender roles by expressing her experiences as a female pilot in the early 20th century. She was one of the most inspirational writers to me because she demonstrated that gender should not limit one's opportunities or dreams. 

    Lastly, another woman we discussed was Sara Suleri. She showed unimaginable bravery through her work and demonstrates her ability to overcome the challenges of being a woman and a Pakistani in a society that often seeks to silence her voice truly shows her perseverance and determination. 

   Overall, these writers, as well as the many other authors we studied are prime examples of the significant legacies woman can leave for future generations to show the strength and possibilities for opportunity and equality for us.