How Feminism Has Developed Through Many Forms And...

Feminism has developed through many forms and transformations, but the most impactful change has been the inclusion of both women of color and woman and men of alternative sexualities and genders. The beginning of this change can be seen with the second and third waves of feminism. Merle Woo, an Asian-American author wrote â€Å"Letter to Ma† in 1980, during this important shift of ideals. Woo’s distinct theme is the broad focus of privilege within the world and how it effects woman of color and people of varying sexualities. The struggles that white woman faced were simply neither the same or as severe as the struggles that woman of color faced. She also expresses repeatedly throughout the letter her devotion to both the LGBTQ community and†¦show more content†¦However, in her writing, the audience can also detect the shift from second wave feminism to third wave feminism. For example, Woo argues that universal is another word for white: â€Å"When univer sal is used, it is just a euphemism for white: white themes, white significance, white culture† (Woo 163). The idea of dismissing a type of universal commonality between woman and focusing more on acknowledging privilege is distinctly a third-wave feminism staple. Rampton discusses this when she says, â€Å"In this phase many constructs were destabilized, including the notions of universal womanhood† (1). Woo uses her context as a woman color during both second-wave feminism and the transition to third-wave feminism to express her strong views on dismantling the idea that feminism is for white, straight woman only. Unequivocally, the biggest focus for Woo is systematically commenting on the unfair treatment of woman of color in historical feminism, and the struggle for a woman of color to break into the feminist discussion when her family accepts the mistreatment. Chow explains in â€Å"Asian American Feminist Consciousness† that â€Å"white feminists do not fully understand or include issues and problems that Asian American women confront† (292). Merle Woo’s theme in â€Å"Letter to Ma† reflects this argument completely. Most of Merle’s letter she affirms thatShow MoreRelatedThe Christian Doctrine Of Sin1686 Words   |  7 Pagesothers suggest that within the Christian tradition itself resides the tools for healing and transformation. Methodologies aside, both camps commit to addressing the sin ‘problem’ for women. They point towards the historic account of original sin, as a compelling force in justifying the cultural subordination of women. Furthermore, scholars note that traditional insights on the transmission of sin through the flesh denounce women’s bodies as inherently perverse. 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