Abstract
In this article, the writer studies two articles and a film and discusses the issues of racism and feminism. The writer looks at the articles "Others in their Own Land: Second Generation South Asian Canadian Women, Racism and the Persistence of Colonial Discourse," by Angela Aujla and "Why I'm a Feminist," by Lauren Anderson. In addition, the writer examines the film "Iron Jawed Angels", directed by Katja Von Garnier. Using these sources, the writer examines the main ideas that relate to racism and contemporary feminism.

From the Paper
"This essay will examine two articles and one film. These are "Others in their Own Land: Second Generation South Asian Canadian Women, Racism and the Persistence of Colonial Discourse," by Angela Aujla; "Why I'm a Feminist," by Lauren Anderson, and "Iron Jawed Angels", directed by Katja Von Garnier. In particular, this essay will examine key concepts that arise from these texts, and comment on how these are significant for contemporary feminism. In her article, Aujla focuses on how racist and colonial discourses inherited from the past continue to influence dominant discourses today ..."

Tags:race, gender, feminism

Abstract
The paper examines two articles and a film: Angela Augla's article, "Others in their Own Land: Second Generation South Asian Canadian Women, Racism and the Persistence of Colonial Discourse", Lauren Anderson's article, "Why I'm a Feminist", and the film "Iron Jawed Angels" directed by Katja Von Garnier. The paper focuses on key concepts in these texts and explains how they are significant for contemporary feminism. The paper discusses Aujla's concept of "othering", Anderson's talk of solidarity, and the film's portrayal of the many enormous challenges to solidarity among women.

From the Paper
"In her article, Aujla focuses on how racist and colonial discourses inherited from the past continue to influence dominant discourses today, and on the way in which South Asian Canadian women are still perceived by the dominant culture. These discourses function to keep South Asian Canadian women marginalized within Canadian society, and ensure that no matter how many generations of their family have lived here, they are still never truly Canadian enough, or white enough, to be part of the dominant culture and dominant discourse. They are thus permanent "others" in their own countries."

Tags:othering, solidarity, suffrage, gender, racism, suffering

Abstract
This paper examines feminism and how globalization has played a role in shaping feminist thought and practice. The paper further discusses the definition of social capital, which emphasizes not just warm and cuddly feelings, but a wide variety of quite specific benefits that flow from the trust, reciprocity, information, and cooperation associated with social networks. Social capital creates value for the people who are connected and - at least sometimes - for bystanders as well.

From the Paper
"Trimble argues "that women's advances in recent decades have stimulated a mostly-misinformed backlash against feminism and those who identify themselves as feminists" (Bateman & Epp 73)."

Tags:feminism, social, capital

Abstract
It will be argued that the assumptions of Western feminist theory and practice - constructed within a Western social and cultural environment - are not directly applicable to the Iranian social and cultural milieu. However, it must be understood that this essay will not assume a "cultural relativist" position with respect to the discussion of the role of women and feminism in contemporary Iran. As will be seen, despite a history of feminist activism in Iran under the Shah, and the contribution of Iranian women to the Islamic Revolution, organized feminism in Iran today has been systematically crushed by the conservative Islamic authorities. It will be argued that contrary to official Iranian propaganda - supported by some Iranian feminists who have been pressured to denounce Western feminism(s), as well as by some Western "relativist" feminists - women have been politically, socially and economically marginalized in Iranian society. However, Iranian women have "improvised" in the face of this oppression; creating new roles for themselves that use the Iranian family unit as the basis for their enterprises. The Iranian family, as will be shown, is key to understanding the role of women in modern Iran.

Abstract
In this article, the writer presents a discussion of the key assumptions inherent in contemporary feminist theory. The writer studies the applications of such theory in modern society. The historical framework of feminism is discussed in this paper. The writer makes the distinction between sex and gender.

From the Paper
"Feminist theory crosses the boundaries of genre to influence sociology, philosophy, theology and everything in between. Historically, the main expressions of feminist activity were seen by the general public as extremist and radical. Today, though feminist principals underpin all areas of modern life in an appropriately measured way. Radical feminism was certainly the main impetus for the birth of the cultural revolution, which we now know as contemporary feminist theory. A historical framework of feminism was established by pioneers of the movement including Simone de ... "

Tags:Feminist, theory, Feminism

Abstract
This paper reviews the literature of three contemporary African American female writers: Cheryl L. West's "Before It Hits Home" about the effects of AIDS on a black family;Suzan-Lori Parks' "The America Play" about a coming of age pregnant black teenager; and Pearl Cleage's "Looks Like Crazy" which also deals with issues of HIV in a black woman's life.

From the Paper
"When women started getting organized to pursue mutual goals back in the mid-19th century, little did they realize what an enormous impact they would be having generations later. "On July 13, 1848, five women met for tea in Seneca Falls, New York. The repercussions of that afternoon's conversation are still being felt around the world" (USA: Celebrating 150th Anniversary of Women's Rights Movement 1998:80). In this regard, the Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York, represented the beginning of the battle for equal rights for women in America."

Tags:african, american, playwright, literature, feminism, aids, hiv

Abstract
The paper discusses how "Rubyfruit Jungle", by Rita Mae Brown, focuses on the subject of lesbianism through the main character, Molly. The paper examines how the book, published in 1973, was considered controversial during its time. The paper explores the themes of feminism and gender conditioning, with attention to the classic portrayal of Molly as the archetypal lesbian woman. The writer concludes that while Brown's book was groundbreaking and revolutionary at the time, today it serves as a classic piece demonstrating feminism, lesbianism and the power of the archetypal feminist woman.

Outline:
Introduction
Analysis of Text
Conclusions

From the Paper
"One of the primary themes explored by Molly is that of gender conditioning (Napierkowski 3). From early childhood Molly is encouraged to behave in a manner that is ultimately feminine. This is evident in many places in the work, as when Molly describes Cheryl, a girl her mother would like her to play with. Cheryl is "a girl who likes to wear dresses and engage in typical girl activities" (Brown 19). This coincides with the dominant socially acceptable conscious thought during the 1970s. As a young woman Molly is under pressure to cook, clean and carry on other domestic activities, appropriate for a young woman during her time."

Tags:feminine, Roe, v., Wade, girl, character, tendencies

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that one of the key tensions in contemporary feminist theory is the tension between cultural rights on the one hand, and gender equality rights, that is, women's human rights, on the other hand. It is argued that cultural relativism cannot be allowed to supersede universal rights, and therefore that radical cultural relativism must be rejected. The writer maintains that at most, a partial cultural relativism may be accepted - but what is really needed is an ongoing debate to try and arrive at universal human rights that can be agreed on globally. Whatever these rights turn out to be, the key point that is argued is that claims of cultural relativism function to preserve male privilege, just as in the West, rhetoric about traditional family values has tried to hold the fort against the introduction of basic human rights, such as votes for women and marriage for same-sex couples. The appeal to culture or tradition does not automatically confer legitimacy on unjust customs.

From the Paper
"One solution is to try to reform these cultures from within. The problem is that within a paradigm of collective rights, this is often neither practical nor possible. It is argued that Nagengast (1997) has a better solution, when she proposes that what is really needed is continuing debate, with a view to arriving at a consensus as to what would constitute universal rights - and that while we are doing this, radical cultural relativity must be rejected.
"Coomaraswamy notes that Asian scholars have also suggested a way of reframing this debate, by couching it in terms of Asian values as specifically non-Western values. In this reframing, the key point that is argued is that Western values privilege individual rights over communal values .."

Tags:equality, values, feminists, cultures

Abstract
This work critically examines contemporary feminist debates on new technology. It presents the arguments of feminists who believe that new technology will liberate women and the arguments of feminists who believe in the antithesis of this , that new technology is oppressive to women. It looks at how the arguments of the latter stem from the belief that technology is developed in a society, which is inherently patriarchal. It includes topics such as an introduction new technology, women and paid work, women and housework technology and women and unwanted pregnancy.

From the Paper
"One problem with the approach of liberal feminists is they fail to address difference in women. Women do not constitute one homogenous group who have the same choices available to them. For example Hamner (1985: 95) notes that the Warnock Report associated with the government looked for ways of controlling access to certain reproductive technologies. It recommended that artificial insemination should be made available only to heterosexual couples in stable relationship, not to single women or lesbians. Thus women's choices are in reality highly dependent on different factors such as their age, sexuality, and race. Moreover Firestone's account is arguably a limited one as she attributes women's oppression solely to their reproduction and biology therefore ectogenesis would liberate women. In reality woman's oppression is a result of multiple factors and removing the reproductive functions of women would not mean that they would stop being the subordinate group in society, it may take more than this to overthrow patriarchy which is deeply embedded."

Tags:cyborgs, housework, liberation, oppression, patriarchy, pregnancy

Abstract
The paper looks at how in "What About the Boys?" Michael Kimmel explores a number of facets of the complex debate over gender stereotyping and the contemporary education system. Proceeding from an initial focus upon the current concern over the apparent decline in academic performance of boys in recent years, Kimmel develops a wide-ranging interrogation of not only issues and agendas in the current debate, but also of broader social gender conditioning and stereotyping in our culture and how this is negatively impacting generations of males. This paper critically examines not only Kimmel's analysis of this debate, but also those of a range of scholars and theorists. As is argued, a review of the background literature on the debate from not only social scientists but education professionals supports Kimmel's contention that what is at issue in this current debate is not so much the declining academic performance of boys but, in reality, a "backlash" against contemporary feminism. As is seen, this underperformance of boys is a reality that has been noted by educational professional for several generations, and the greater access and performance of girls in the education system in recent years is actually not related to underperformance of boys in any respect. Instead, as is argued, this linkage is a "red herring" designed to both attack the gains of the feminist movement while obscuring the reality of the negative impact of gender stereotyping upon boys' academic performance that education researchers have noted for several generations.

From the Paper
"In "What About the Boys?" Michael Kimmel explores a number of facets of the complex debate over gender stereotyping and the contemporary education system. Proceeding from an initial focus upon the current concern over the apparent decline in academic performance of boys in recent years, Kimmel develops a wide-ranging interrogation of not only issues and agendas in the current debate, but also of broader social gender conditioning and..."

Tags:boys, education, feminism