I would like to comment on the reading “Beyond Politics on Inclusion: Violence Against Women of Color and Human Rights” by Andrea Smith. She points out a very good statement: “We must center women of color in the analysis; it becomes clear that we must develop approaches that address interpersonal and state violence simultaneously. In addition, we find that by centering women of color in the analysis, we may actually build a movement that more effectively ends violence not just for women of color, but for all peoples.” This approach had never occurred to me, but it makes total and complete sense. In addition, I did not realize that the United States policies had such negative effects on issues such as sexual and domestic violence involving women of color. I now have a better understanding of the bigger picture of “human rights”. The protection of fundamental human rights was a foundation stone in the establishment of the United States over 200 years ago, and look how far it has gone…not very!
I agree with you Kayla, I have never really given much thought to how women of color are treated by the government. I was actually quite shocked and appalled by what I read. We have had all this time to improve rights for not only men but women and especially those citizens of color. Yet, there still seems to have been very little improvement. To this day certain races and genders are still discriminated against, sure it isn't to the degree it once had been but it still happens. I hope that one day people will be able to put aside their differences and make everything equal. But I have a feeling that will be a very long time from now... oh well I guess we will be taking baby steps.
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