For our first Friday Review, we thought we would start with feminism and women’s liberation. There have been some controversies recently with the term “feminism” itself, and the way in which feminists in India relate to their counterparts in the West. Although issues of discrimination are unique to nations and cultures, we think that there is wisdom in learning through the success and failures of others. On that note, we suggest you check out the series by PBS titled “Makers: Women Who Make America”. The first episode of this awesome documentary series traces the history of the feminist movement in the United States. Only 60 years ago, the idea women having jobs equal to men was laughable in America. This documentary explores the tipping point that changed everything, and brings out the remarkable stories of women who wanted to do simple things – run in a race, be paid equal wages, get the promotion they deserved, stay in their jobs longer and dispel the notion that after a certain age, women were useful only in the kitchen. Yet, through these everyday acts, they changed history forever. This documentary series brings to light some of the most ridiculous things people said about equality, some of which we are still hearing today in India and other countries, from men who are terrified of loosing their dominant social position in wake of the women’s liberation movement that has been unleashed around the world. You can watch the series here (Only available in some countries): pbs.org/makers/home/ https://youtube/watch?v=OOBo4hnk2g0
Posted on: Fri, 20 Sep 2013 02:26:11 +0000