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Response Paper # 4
Tiya Miles piece titled “On the Rag”, from a women’s studies perceptive is
a learning experience in terms of a grass roots movement. Miles’ grassroots movement did not survive for various reasons,
which all can be explained based on our corresponding readings. Thus far in our course we have looked at what constitutes
a grass roots movement. The three major focuses include: rejection of hierarchy, a strong focus on our personal experiences,
and creating a democracy within this movement. Though Miles’ movement was created for the sole purpose of discussing
and educating people on women’s issues like all other grass movement groups, they failed to consider the three major
aspects.
Feminism deals, above all else, with a rejection of hierarchy. Women feel it is unnecessary to be ruled by
men, just as it is unnecessary to rule each other. They prefer equality as opposed to levels of hierarchy. This was the first
mistake in Miles’ group. She noted throughout the piece that the group’s founders were “the only legitimate
members” (Miles, 175). These were the creators of her group who preferred not to be considered leaders, but eventually
seem to take over this small discussion group. Already, there is a hierarchy forming within. Such a situation leads to shifts
of power, dominance, and eventually a level of hierarchy. The creators played a “central role” (Miles, 175) which
in reality defeats the purpose of trying to have a society free of hierarchy. The women choosing to play a hierarchal role
were from different backgrounds, which eventually leads to the second reason of the groups failure.
Personal experience
is needed to play a key role in such a movement. Without having the same views and experiences, they will not have the same
goals. Miles describes these women as coming from very different backgrounds, different social classes, religions, and races.
Though they all have the same goal in common, that being equality for women, it is hard for them to relate to one another.
The higher class women experience discrimination different from the lower class women would. Which leads them to question
their inequality as a result of their gender or the class. Higher class women may choose equality for social reasons whereas
lower class women may choose it to better themselves financially into better paying jobs. Each woman in the group had their
personal experiences and reasons for their beliefs.
Finally, such a movement should have a democracy within. Miles’
group failed to organize such a democracy. As we have learned in our class notes, a democracy takes into consideration the
beliefs and attitudes of the consensus. In this such example, no democracy was present. Miles’ group did not take the
consensus into consideration, but rather the hierarchy came into play. The group’s founders made the decisions. So it
is safe to say that with such a hierarchy in a group you will fail to have a democracy. There will always be inequalities
and differences of opinion.
Sadly, all women in this group entered for the same purpose: women’s issues and equality
but for different reasons. It was these reasons and lack of organization that led to the group’s dissolution. If I were
Miles, I would consider this group to be a learning experience and use it as a model of what NOT to do in the future.
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