SDSU Embodied Representations of Women of Color Discussion

Deadline:

Please provide the following information at the top left corner of your exam answers: your name and course number. Please number your answers clearly. Your answers should be typed and double-spaced. Write 1 page for each answer. You may use lecture materials, class readings, and films viewed in class to answer the questions. Late exams will not be graded. Answer three of the following questions in a short essay format. For each answer, you must cite at least one book or article we read in class.

1. We read Maythee Rojas’ book Women of Color and Feminism. Her book focuses on five themes: identities, embodied representations, social struggles, creative expressions and loving selves. Discuss one of the following issues critical to Women of Color Feminism: intersectional identities; embodied representations including the various stereotypes faced by women of color; social struggles faced by women of color; and creative expressions by women of color.

1. We read Audre Lorde’s book Sister Outsider. We discussed how the book contributed to the Women’s Movement, especially the Second Wave. Explain one of Audre Lorde’s concepts in detail: “mythical norm”; feminism and difference; the power of the erotics; the uses of anger; “the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house”; transformation of silence to language and action.

1. We read bell hooks’ book All About Love: New Visions. In her book, hooks examined: love, self-love, love and right livelihood, divine or spiritual love, love ethics, community and loving communion, and healing love. Explain why it is important to understand, practice and imagine the importance of self-love, political love, communal love, spiritual love, and the power of love to heal in the 21st

1. We explored various concepts relevant to Women of Color Feminism such as: intersectionality, difference and diversity, race/racism/racialization, whiteness as racial identity and white privilege, and so on. Explain why it is important to comprehend race, racialization and systemic racism, including racial privilege.

1. In our class, we explored the importance of spirituality, healing, and sacred activism for women of color. Explain how spirituality can play a decolonizing role in creating meanings, inspiring actions and supporting healing and justice for communities of color or marginalized communities.

1. In our class, we studied the importance of music and music videos in the lives of communities of color, especially women of color. We explored the music videos of Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj and other women of color artists. Explain in details the works of one feminist of color musician who has influenced or contributed to the feminist movement.

1. We examined the relation between women of color and social media. Discuss the importance of virtual social capital to women of color, hashtag activism and cyber-feminism. From the Occupy Movement, Women’s March, Black Lives Matter, Idle No More, Me Too Movement, the Arab Spring Uprising in Tunisia and Egypt, women of color have utilized social media to bring social awareness and mobilize and organize. Women of color have actively participated in the usage of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Snap Chats, YouTube, blogging and so on. Discuss why social media is important to Women of Color Feminism.

1. We have studied the works of women of color writers by examining poetry, spoken word and literature. Explain how critical and creative writing can offer a kind of ‘spiritual medicine’ for women of color. How might creative writing help women of color arrive at spaces of healing, political resistance, and transformation?

1. We watched five films: Saving Face, Dolores, The Hate U Give, Knock Down the House, and Under the Same Moon: La Misma Luna. Choose one film and discuss in details two critical themes explored within the film.