Masis-Cubero 1

Rebeca Masis-Cubero
Dr. Parker
ENG 113
1 October 2016
Feminist Perspectives
When it comes to the topic of feminism, most advocates will readily agree that it is a
movement that claims to fight for the rights of women. Where this agreement usually ends,
however, is on the question of what feminism stands for. Most feminists will argue that the goal
of feminism is for women to have equal rights and opportunities (Rich 4). On the other hand,
some argue that the Christian faith supports the feminist perspective, even though the Christian
perspective still maintains that women must be submissive to their husbands (citation). Still,
others maintain that one of the greatest stumbling blocks of feminism is the lack of
intersectionality (Uwujaren and Utt). Through examining the issues of sexism, race, and the
Biblical perspective on feminism, I have come to understand feminism as a movement that must
be more concerned with emphasizing the value of women, not merely their rights.
Feminism needs to be a movement that is concerned with valuing women as thinkers and
scholars. Adrienne Rich states that educators must be Committed to the belief that womens
minds and experience are intrinsically valuable and indispensable to any civilization worthy the
name (Rich 6). In other words, Rich is expressing her belief that womens thoughts and
experiences must be represented throughout the academic world. She also maintains that a
womans education is just as valuable as a mans, and that she should be treated with the same
respect and dignity, as well as the same expectations. Although we have made significant
progress in creating opportunities for girls and women to be educated, women are still not

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equally represented in every field, and our voices are more frequently silenced. Rich argues that
we must fight for our minds to be considered more often as our bodies are scrutinized. Rich
agrees with the notion that feminism must advocate that a womans perspective is relevant and
valuable.
In addition, feminism must be intersectional. As defined by Uwujaren and Utt,
intersectionality is A frame that recognizes the multiple aspects of identity that enrich our lives
and experiences and that compound and complicate oppressions and marginalizations
(Uwujaren and Utt). Uwujaren and Utt argue that feminism had traditionally represented the
interests of middle class, white women, neglecting issues that affect women of color or women
living in poverty. In other words, the authors are advocating a feminism that includes the
struggles of women of any color and any background. The feminism that the authors envision
parallels my definition of feminism: it includes women of various backgrounds and with
different experiences and perspectives. Essentially, intersectionality is important because it
demonstrates that all women must be valued and given a voice. Intersectionality argues that
fighting for a womens rights without understanding the intrinsic value of women of every color,
leaves feminism one-sided and incomplete.
Finally, I believe that feminism must be rooted in the belief that every person deserves to
be treated with dignity and respect. A particularly Christian approach to feminism might add
that the source for these beliefs about dignity and equality is the theological assertion that all
people are created in Gods image and therefore are valuable, gifted, free, and responsible
(Japinga 13). In other words, feminism is rooted in understanding the value of people, both men
and women. The author argues that each individual is created with value and purpose, and that
they deserve to be treated as such. Throughout history, women have been valued, but only

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physically or in association to their roles as wives or mothers. In mainstream media, we often

hear of women referred to as someones mother, sister, daughter, etc. The Christian feminist
perspective claims that we should not need to associate a woman to her roles in society to
consider her thoughts, her purpose and her worth.
In conclusion, my definition of feminism includes a movement that is against sexism and
racism, but incorporates what I believe as a Christian. Feminism should be a movement that is
not only focused on the rights of women. Focusing on the rights of women, but ignoring the fact
that every woman is an individual with value and purpose, misses the point of feminism entirely.
We cannot advocate for the rights of women without challenging the notion that women are
merely sexual objects or that they are only important based on their relationship to others rather
than as individuals.