Chapters 4 and 5 Summary and Analysis

"Sisterhood - Political Solidarity among Women"

The author begins her discussion of the concept of "sisterhood" (unity between women) with the contention that at the beginning of feminist movement, "sisterhood" was defined (by the middle class white women at the forefront of the movement) by a shared sense of victimization. This, she suggests, perpetuates the prevailing sexist patriarchy that "teaches women that to be female is to be a victim." She then explores several ways in which society in general and women within that society absorb and manifest this particular belief, and then goes on to explore other ways in which enacting the concept of true sisterhood (solidarity in the cause of feminism as defined in Chapter 2 above) is challenged through sexism, hetero-sexism, class-ism, and racism. She makes the clear point that all these challenges exist not only in...