All of our class
readings have peeled back the curtain of development practices and theory that
focus on women, women’s development and gender development. Several weeks ago,
our readings mainly focused on examining various theories of development. The purpose for these readings was to provide further explanation regarding past and current development practices. Development
practices, I quickly learned, have different meanings depending on what theory
was applied. For example, the road to “women’s development” looks differently
when viewing it through Marxist lens verses an empowerment lens. While I work
with social theory that surrounds gender on a daily basis, it is not within the
context of development. As a result of my lack on knowledge regarding the
development field, I attempted to connect these various theories to what
surrounds my everyday life.
Recently I have been
listening to more conventional “pop” music. This is not my usual taste in music
but I do enjoy it. It provides me with a quick escape away from my daily
reality. I was indulging in this new guilty pleasure of mine the other morning
by listening to the Ms. Taylor Swift’s summer sensation “Bad Blood”. If you are not familiar with the
song, please check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcIy9NiNbmo The song details a relationship gone
wrong. Someone has betrayed the protagonist and the result is bad blood between
the two. The song is catchy and it is very easy to sing along with. After a while
of listening and singing along to the song I thought, this sound could apply to dependency
theory. Specifically, The lyrics “Band-aids don’t fix bullet holes, you say
sorry just for show, you live like that, you live with ghosts” really speaks to
dependency theory. The affects of colonialism are either avoided or radically diminished.
Such evading not only contributes to new forms of imperialism but also further
creates development practices that fail to address structural problems.
Furthermore, besides the name
similarity Kabeer’s sentiments are comparable to the emotions expressed by
Taylor (she and I are on a first name basis). All the development theories that were addressing women’s inequality
were not addressing the root cause of the problem. The root problem being
power, specifically how power is aligned with hegemonic masculinities. Power
therefore, contributes to and constructs the politics that surrounds gender and
gender relations. By not addressing this fundamental and essential keystone
that constructs gender inequality, the practices that came out of such
short-sided theories were simply like placing band-aids over bullet holes. Taylor
can see that this form of intervention is fake and doesn’t work. Why is it so
hard for those in development to see it? I’ll tell you why! Because it
challenges existing power structures and it would cause people to examine their
own lives regarding how they treat and are treated by others.
By illuminating how
power correlates to gender within the development context it opens Pandora box
in regards to how power and gender are represented in other arenas. Power is a
complex and complicated animal, but it needs to be seen and recognized or else
we will continue to fail by not seeing the full person and their struggle for
justice.
Please note that this
comparison was intentionally developed in jest. Most of the song does not
connect to development theory. I also do not consider Taylor to be some grand
humanitarian (however she does represents female empowerment for many young
women). I also do not believe that she has a future in international relations.
Look at how she recently romanticized
colonialism in her most recent
music video “Wildest Dreams” (that’s for another blog post). However, these expressions
of hurt, resentment and anger, which Taylor sings about, penetrate all human
societies. These feelings and emotions specifically connect to gender relations
and the politics that surround gender. Emotions also need to be considered when
development practices are being implemented. How people feel matters. If you
don’t believe me just ask my friend Taylor.
In response to your blogspot post, I think the post was able to effectively link development theories and gender discourse to music. This provided another lense through which development and gender could be examined. To reflect on the song "What went wrong" could be analyse on the context of the dilemmas and criticisms explained by McEwan (2001) on postcolonial theory and Feminism. Neo-liberal ideas of development theory approach to the global could also be question with regard to "what went wrong" in terms of outcome.
ReplyDeleteFatou Jagne
Katlyn, it is interesting how you related the lyrics reproduced in pop culture to the theories that in some way or form create oppression. Pop culture itself is also used as a tool to oppress society. For example, the entertainment industry reproduces liberal feminism, in the context that women artists are included into the existing structure of the system, in an attempt to give us equal access to opportunities. This occurs in a context in which men are predominant actors, therefore making it more onerous for women to integrate into the environment.
ReplyDeleteThe difficulty that women have in entering this field through talent may be examined through a Marxist feminist lense. Women’s exclusion from the public sphere, in part, explains the inferior status that they are given. Many women in the entertainment industry are able to achieve success through body exposure. This emphasizes the differences between men and women in the industry, contributing and intensifying inequality within the system. Through the radical feminist lense, it is possible to view the structured system as patriarchal.
The industry currently has a stronger presence of women that are more concerned with independence and equality that make an attempt to sell this message. Since the system has such rigid structures, changes from within may occur slowly.
Katlyn, it is interesting how you related the lyrics reproduced in pop culture to the theories that in some way or form create oppression. Pop culture itself is also used as a tool to oppress society. For example, the entertainment industry reproduces liberal feminism, in the context that women artists are included into the existing structure of the system, in an attempt to give us equal access to opportunities. This occurs in a context in which men are predominant actors, therefore making it more onerous for women to integrate into the environment.
ReplyDeleteThe difficulty that women have in entering this field through talent may be examined through a Marxist feminist lense. Women’s exclusion from the public sphere, in part, explains the inferior status that they are given. Many women in the entertainment industry are able to achieve success through body exposure. This emphasizes the differences between men and women in the industry, contributing and intensifying inequality within the system. Through the radical feminist lense, it is possible to view the structured system as patriarchal.
The industry currently has a stronger presence of women that are more concerned with independence and equality that make an attempt to sell this message. Since the system has such rigid structures, changes from within may occur slowly.