Feminist Critique
The primary distinction between the perspectives of Patricia Hill Collins and Esther Chow on feminism and gender consciousness stems from their diverse interpretations of the influence of culture. Chow assumes a near apologist stance in her justifications for the slow uptake of feminist theory by Asian-American women. Chow cites the many barriers to the gender consciousness and ability to organize around women's issues, and suggests that they have been particularly difficult to overcome and were won't to locate feminism in the midst of larger, more generic issues that garnered the attention of Asian-American women. But Chow's argument is not persuasive, as the same issues are endemic to Collins' treatment of feminist thought, but are clarified by the construct of intersectionality, as posed by Kimberle Crenshaw (2004, and as cited in Collins, 1990).
Intersectionality is the study of the intersections that occur between various forms of oppression, and that include but are not limited to, class, gender, and race. It is useful to consider black feminism as a phenomenon when considering intersectionality theory. Crenshaw and Collins both argue that the experience of a black woman cannot be understood by examining her black experience or her female experience as independent experiences; rather, each of these variables must be considered in the manner in which they intersect, interact, reinforce, or negate each other.
The construct of intersectionality is a substantive paradigm in sociology, cultural studies, and feminist studies. Its utility is somewhat hampered by the complexities of making "multidimensional conceptualizations" which explain the interactions and relationships among the constructions of social categories that are used to differentiate and establish a social hierarchy. It is this aspect of the paradigm that Collins rejects, as further discussed below; however, Collins' matrix of domination addresses the aspect of intersectionality theory that suggest discrete forms or expressions of oppression are most definitely shaped by each other. Specifically, then, in order to appreciate how oppressed groups are racialized, it is necessary to understand how social processes, social structures, and social representations are shaped by the conceptualizations of class, gender, and race.
Patricia Hill Collins rejects the theoretical framework of oppression that considers the additive influence of demographic attributes on the experience of oppression. A theoretical framework that takes the additive tact would consider each variable with potential negative influence to act as a multiple, such that the sum of the effects of the variables result in a sum total degree of oppression. That is to say that these variables would all have multiplier effects: the fact that a person is a woman, that the person belongs to an ethnic minority, that the woman is also poor. This approach suggests that these characteristics of an individual can be considered as separate systems of oppression. A perspective that separates rather than aggregates these factors of oppression will show evidence of quantification and categorization, and "associate with the belief that all characteristics must be ranked" (Collins, 1990, p. 555).
Collins suggests as a new paradigm of oppression the drawing of a matrix of domination that is at once "non-hierarchical…[and would]…refuse primacy to either race, class, gender, or ethnicity, demanding instead recognition of their matrix-like interaction" (1990, p. 556). Chow argues that a similar framework exists for women whose experiences lead them to "consider racism and classism to be so pervasive that they cannot embrace feminism at the same level [and] may subordinate women's rights to other social concerns, this limiting the development of feminist consciousness" (1987, p. 286). That is to say that, similar to Collins, Chow makes salient the importance of an awareness of "multiple oppressions," suggesting that women who engage in "collective action to supersede racial, gender, and class differences may develop a feminist consciousness that transcends gender, racial, class, and cultural boundaries" (1987, p. 286).
It seems that Chow reaches too deeply into the barriers to Asian-American women's gender consciousness. She argues that Asian cultural values discourage activism and rebelliousness, and that filial piety, family interest, fatalism, obedience, and self-control are predominant values that undergird the Asian perception of oppression. The more pertinent issue that Chow brings into focus is that impact of immigration on the ability of Asian women to organize around the issues of feminism. Chow argues that the substantive issues of language and cultural adjustment for immigrants are fundamentally overlooked by feminist organizations. Asian women, particularly immigrant Asian women, are unlikely to have an invitational experience with feminist organizations, which tend to be dominated by white, middle-class women neglect...
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