Bartky- On Psychological Oppression

Jestina Ortega

Philosophy of Feminism

Blog Assignment

                                    On Psychological Oppression - Sandra Bartky

            In Sandra Bartky’s article she describes psychological effects of sexist oppression as economic, political and alienating. She then goes on to compare white female oppression as similar to the black person, whether they be male or female. I agree with this notion that both parties at play are oppressed and agree that they are both alienating. I would also like to mention that by comparing the two in the simple definition that white women and black people are inferior erase how white women and black people are oppressed at different levels while I still do agree that both are very similar.

            Being sexist to white women is similar to being classist. Both historically and throughout today’s society, men have always ruled the work field and have as well as continued to make more money. There were times in history when women simply would not get jobs and relied solely on the man for money in order to be supported and continue living. Women always depended on men economically. Now women and men acquire jobs, but in today’s society, jobs that are geared toward women such as education, nursing, and/or secretary all have two things in common. They are seen as less intellectual jobs and the workers who decide to choose these fields are being paid less.

            It has been said multiple times in this class that “women” earn about 77 cents to the male dollar, but this statement fails to recognize women of color and how much money they make. White women make 77 cents to the male dollar while black women earn 64 cents and Hispanic women make only 55 cents to the male dollar. Yes, Bartky was correct in stating white women and black peoples are both oppressed but I do believe that white women are at more of an advantage as far as opportunity in the work field then people of color, especially women.

            Politically, women only got the opportunity to vote at the turn of the 20^th Century and America might finally have it’s first woman president. I appreciate how white women fought in order to get their vote, but compared to the black vote theirs were easier, and was given before black people were able to vote. Yes, they are both politically oppressed but white women were able to vote while black people were still seen as ¾ of a person.

            I do believe that white women are alienated, and this can be seen through media. The roles women are given on the big screen are usually there in support of the strong male lead and are very limiting in terms of characters that hold status and power. However, I would also like to mention that if we take a good look at Hollywood, we acknowledge women as holding supporting roles that depend on the male character but fail to recognize the erasure and neglect of black and brown bodies. Although black people and white women are oppressed I find it unfair to claim they are similar without mentioning the harsher reality (as seen above) of historical and systematic oppression people of color still face today economically and politically which alienates them from society.