By Andy Chadwick,
Augsburg College
These past few weeks, the Migration and Globalization students have really settled in with their Mexican families. It has been an easy transition integrating into a Mexican family; they have been exceedingly welcoming and accommodating. There is so much to learn but at the same time we also have a lot in common with our families. It has been fascinating hearing the stories of our families, especially when they can relate to topics we are studying in class. It has been especially interesting to start to understand gender roles within Mexico and to have a dialogue with our families to hear their personal stories and philosophies related to this subject.
In addition to becoming settled in with our families, we, as well as the Social Work students, had the opportunity to hear two amazing women tell their personal stories regarding gender roles. These speakers put a face to the issues that we have previously learned about, regarding gender roles, from Irene Ortiz and others. They talked about the hardships they have faced in their lives due to unfair gender roles and expectations. They were treated horribly by their husbands and were not even allowed to leave the house most of the time. They each found their way to Base Christian Communities, (BCC´s) which changed their lives. They were taught to read and this allowed them to read the Bible for themselves. By studying the Bible, they realized that they shouldn't be treated this way, God created them equal to men. BCC´s, like the one these women are a part of, are autonomous religious groups based in liberation theology. Liberation theology is the idea that God is on the side of the poor and marginalized of the world. BCC´s, coupled with the influence of liberation theology, focus on material conditions and issues of class.
Our speakers opened my eyes to the hardships that women often face to achieve equality. They also showed me that there is hope for equality among the genders, that there is a way of achieving it through liberation theology and BCC´s. I kept asking myself questions like: how has being a male unfairly given me privilege or benefited me in my life to this point? How has my un-acknowledgment of this privilege furthered unfair gender roles and expectations? What can I do in the future to support women's rights without over-stepping my bounds as a male? These speakers were an eye-opening experience for all of us and this experience, I think, changed us for the better.
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ResponderEliminarHola Andy,
ResponderEliminarSocially constructed machismo where men must prove to have control and dominion over “their women.” If they do not adhere to such norms then they are looked down on by the rest of the men and seen as weak, this is unacceptable. Having been raised in Mexico I came to understand the roles adapted by both men and women. It is interesting to hear that women are using the bible to liberate themselves when the bible is usually viewed as sexist and degrading to women. Some would argue that the bible makes women second-class citizens? When I came to Thailand I expected for there to be clear gender role divisions where men exerted the same pressure and mistreatment to their women. However, what I found here was something I did not expect, men and women to for the most part have equal roles. Both men and women work the fields together and act as a unit to contribute to the household. Although women must still cook and clean the house the differences in gender are very apparent. For example, men do not tell women what to do, or give them a stare that speaks for itself. I just thought it was an interesting cultural difference.
Esther
Hello Andy,
ResponderEliminarYour post brings up a number of interesting points that I have really thought about over the course of my semester here in Thailand. I just discovered a couple of months ago these ideas surrounding liberation theology after having read a book called Mountains Beyond Mountains, which chronicles the life and work of Dr. Paul Farmer, a public health doctor/medical anthropologist whose work is primarily based in managing a hospital in one of the most poverty stricken regions of Haiti. I highly recommend the book, as Tracy Kidder discusses liberation theology, its limitations and how we can use that lens to better under our social world.
As a person who has benefited from privilege throughout life (much like myself and everyone on our respective programs), I too have struggled with how to reconcile my position in the world with how use my time and efforts to do more good than harm. It seems like your experience learning from these speakers and BCC has enabled you to become more aware of these issues and that is certainly the first step in figuring out how you can interact with your families to address these issues.
-Megan
Hey Andy!
ResponderEliminarThanks for the interesting post. I had never heard of liberation theology before. I think it's interesting that the women you were speaking to found confidence through the works of the bible and the concept of liberation theology. The idea that the bible could prove that women are equal to men is an interesting concept. Historically, Christianity has been mostly dominated by male figures in leadership roles. Similarly here in Thailand we have learned that Buddhism has been dominated, until recently, by men as well. Women weren’t even aloud to be monks as they were viewed as a form of temptation. The values that Buddhism places on gender surprised me because I feel that is clashes with the other principles of the religion. Similarly, I have felt that Christianity has placed a higher value on men than women and has even established some of the concepts that women are immoral temptresses. Eve is the one that leads man from the Garden of Eden, Christ was a man and God is portrayed as a white male figure in the Christian religion. Perhaps it is not the Bible that has dictated these gender roles but the interpretation of the bible that has. It is interesting to learn that the interpretation of the bible that these women made was one of equity and justice and freedom from discrimination. I hope that more women are able to find this kind of empowerment through the Bible or other resources at their disposal.
Thanks for the post!
Kayla
Hi Andy!
ResponderEliminarWow, liberation theology sounds so interesting. I have never heard of an interpretation of Christianity which empowers women. I think this is also interesting in the context of Marxism, where Marx believed that religion was a tool of hierarchical oppression by those in the clergy and gentry. This is almost the opposite of that, where marginalized and poor people find power through religion.
In Thailand, there are Malay and Thai Muslims in the south who are particularly marginalized in the education system, political and economic system. They have gathered around their Muslim identity in contrast to the majority Thai Buddhist identity and vice versa. I wonder how differing interpretations and types of religions in this context, can be used as a uniting force among people. The example you talk about is how those Mexican women feel empowered by religion but not necessarily using it as an antagonistic force rather as a force for peaceful social change.
Hi Andy!
ResponderEliminarWow, liberation theology sounds so interesting. I have never heard of an interpretation of Christianity which empowers women. I think this is also interesting in the context of Marxism, where Marx believed that religion was a tool of hierarchical oppression by those in the clergy and gentry. This is almost the opposite of that, where marginalized and poor people find power through religion.
In Thailand, there are Malay and Thai Muslims in the south who are particularly marginalized in the education system, political and economic system. They have gathered around their Muslim identity in contrast to the majority Thai Buddhist identity and vice versa. I wonder how differing interpretations and types of religions in this context, can be used as a uniting force among people. The example you talk about is how those Mexican women feel empowered by religion but not necessarily using it as an antagonistic force rather as a force for peaceful social change.
Amy Saekow
Hi Andy,
ResponderEliminarThat's really interesting that these women were able to find empowerment in the Bible. Because from my perspective, I have always seen this piece of literature as a huge roadblock to feminism. Here's a key example from Ecclesiasticus 25:
"Give me any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman…I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman. The wickedness of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance like sackcloth. Her husband shall sit among his neighbours; and when he heareth it shall sigh bitterly. All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a woman: let the portion of a sinner fall upon her. As the climbing up a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of words to a quiet man. Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure. A woman, if she maintain her husband, is full of anger, impudence, and much reproach. A wicked woman abateth the courage, maketh an heavy countenance and a wounded heart: a woman that will not comfort her husband in distress maketh weak hands and feeble knees. Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die. Give the water no passage; neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad. If she go not as thou wouldest have her, cut her off from thy flesh, and give her a bill of divorce, and let her go."
So considering that religious gem, my new question to you is what does this mean about the intention of BCC and liberation theology? is it really to address gender issues and marginalization or is it a closet missionary machine? how can utilizing a piece of literature that clearly states opposing ideas be used effectively to fight for equality?
Michelle Nguyen
Brown University
Hi Andy,
ResponderEliminarAs your classmate, I too enjoyed hearing stories of women who were able to triumph given their circumstances. Prior to our class readings, I had never heard about liberation theology. I particularly like the idea behind this theology that makes marginalized populations (like women or indigenous peoples) feel empowered.
Interestingly enough, my internship this semester has been leading workshops on women’s issues in Zacualpan, Morelos. I have had the opportunity to talk with rural women about various aspects of Mexican culture that makes them feel oppressed. Through these workshops, women are encouraged to act as community leaders and to enact change, in hopes of feeling empowered. From my experience, it has been fascinating to learn about how women are treated differently in Mexico than in the US. Notably, gender roles play a huge part in this discrepancy, since machismo is the dominant narrative in Mexican culture. In Mexico, men are often the power-players, which forces women to give in to the demands of their husband. As a result, this often puts females in at-risk situations, making them feel powerless.
For me, it was interesting to hear Dona Tere and Dona Loren’s talk on how they found the church in response to their oppression. I have a great respect for the work of these women who were able to change the path of their own life. In the long run, I believe that many women (like these two) will continue to fight for their rights as females. Hearing these women’s personal stories made me realize that there is still much to be done in Mexico as well as around the world.
Katy Jensen
This post excited me because of the religious idea of Liberation Theology. I think it is so cool that BCC’s have found a way to help the disenfranchised of the world by going back to the original teachings of Christ. I think too many times mainstream Christian churches lose that emphasis, on instead focus on more unproductive ways of affecting the world. I think that social justice and Christian theology are intimately entwined, and I’m jealous of your opportunity to talk with this BCC about what they are doing.
ResponderEliminarI also have really connected with rhetorical questions about women’s liberation in light of being a male. I often ask these questions of myself, because men’s roles in women’s rights issues is just as important—possibly even more important—than that of women. I think so much of the violent action against women comes from social constructions of gender. These constructions are supported and created by men and women, and both genders need to work together to deconstruct the violent structures of inequality in society.