Date: Thu, 04 Jul 1996 12:04:00 -0500
From: atefeh oliai <atefeho-AT-vms2.macc.wisc.edu>
Subject: Re: World of Women


Hello Linda and Thanks for the reply

I agree with you all you said, however it seems to me that at the social and
also at the individual level, what separate people in less their gender that
their possession of power.  I do believe that society is divided by class
and in the same class I do see women much more oppressed than the men.
It's not much the amount of money that someone owns that count but the power
that s/he holds.  A lots of men from the ruling class can not use their own
voice either, may be all the political games played by men and women
politicians is about cutting someone's voice.   Is there any way out of this
for all men and women?  I do not believe so.  As long as we have people
divided by class, we'll have someone's hegemony over someone else. I have
seen cases when women have exercised their power for their own self against
other women.  They know very well what they're doing and why.     
This question also brings about the question of the expand of public and
private sphere which people can enjoy.  Having lived in U.S. for some years
now i can enjoy much more autonomy over my private life, than when I was
living back home.  My issues have changed now.  I will struggle for rights
that I never consider a serious matter before.  For this reason my struggle
will be directed by different request compared to what I uses to fight for
in Iran.  Even as an Iranian, I can not say that my interests are the same
that my fellow Iranian women who are living back home now.  And this doesn't
mean I do not believe in the struggle they're taking up.  Often I've thought
that if we divide people by gender we will be obliged to make concessions on
the lowest common interests of that gender.  
These are just some thoughts and feelings based on what I have experienced
and I do not think they're universal truth. I love to hear more of your
opinion on this.

Atefeh
   




At 09:31 PM 7/5/96 -0400, you wrote:
>Atefeh
>
>Thank you for your message. I believe women suffer worldwide from oppressive
>domination if their daily life whether they are rich or poor. Many of us have
>not been allowed the use of our own voices or our own choices whether we are
>from a rich ruling class or a poverty centered neighborhood.
>
>The physical and mental abuse that occurs to women throughout  the world
>exists because of media, culture, attitudes.  I really believe we may not be
>aware of the times in a single day, when we all give away our power to other
>forces because we ourselves have been taught to do this.  Why do we wear the
>clothes we wear? why do we participate in certain rituals in the way that we
>do? Etc.
>
>Perhaps I am wrong, but let us think and share  and question what it means to
>be a woman who has her own voice.  When is this not allowed? (Do not assume
>that women from a ruling class always have personal freedom to be
>themselves.)This battle is fought by all women.
>
>Linda E. Neville
>(Ladydonut-AT-aol.com)
>
>