Skip to main content
Read page text
page 170
The Subaltern Another critical debate is raised by Gayatri Spivak in her conception of the "subaltern". Spivak denounces Western feminism for speaking for non-Western women and robbing them of a political voice. Such a practice marginalizes non-Western women and ignores their own efforts at countering social and political injustice. WITHIN WESTERN CULTURE THEY SHATTER THE MYTH OF UNITY WHICH WESTERN FEMINISTS HAVE LONG CELEBRATED. However, Spivak advises that such a different voice should not be seen as a threat to Western feminism; rather, this discourse of otherness should be I incorporated and allowed to enrich the "imagined community of women" 168 which Mohanty has identified.
page 171
Challenging Rituals Another branch of feminism in the developing world attempts to come to terms with specific social practices such as female circumcision, saty and "bride-pricing". THE BRIDE-PRICE IS A SUM OF MONEY WHICH IS PAID BY THE GROOM IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS WIFE, AND IN RETURN FOR THE DOWRY SHE BRINGS WITH HER. Feminist activists such as Nawal Saadawi and Fatima Mernissi have written extensively on the complicated social and cultural implications of challenging rituals which are often mistakenly associated with religious practice. They have faced heavy criticism and sparked heated debates with their claims that female agency is often compromised for the sake of custom. I 1s9

Page Text

View plaintext

The Subaltern Another critical debate is raised by Gayatri Spivak in her conception of the "subaltern". Spivak denounces Western feminism for speaking for non-Western women and robbing them of a political voice. Such a practice marginalizes non-Western women and ignores their own efforts at countering social and political injustice.

WITHIN WESTERN CULTURE THEY SHATTER THE MYTH OF UNITY

WHICH WESTERN FEMINISTS

HAVE LONG CELEBRATED.

However, Spivak advises that such a different voice should not be seen as a threat to Western feminism; rather, this discourse of otherness should be I incorporated and allowed to enrich the "imagined community of women" 168 which Mohanty has identified.

read next page

My Bookmarks

Buy this Book
Skip to main content