Post Reading Questions for Week 6

Intersectionality definitely plays a role in domestic violence in the sense those certain categories, if not multiple ones put you in a more vulnerable situation.  In the first article, Kimberlee Crenshaw talks about how the intersecting of racism and sexism play into domestic violence. We can also see how that plays into the traditional view of domestic violence, in terms of the women being abused and the men being the abuser; this shows the example of sexism.  Then, when it comes to racism, we often see differences in punishment when it comes to who the abuser was and who the victim was. For example, if a black man abused a white women, you know that man would be immediately put in jail vice versa, if a white man abused a woman of color, it seems as though more justifications would be made. Another thing, I also thought about this was the idea of status and how, if you are an immigrant man or woman, you probably would not even say anything because of the fear of being deported. It just goes back to another intersectional, and how the idea of status can put you at a more vulnerable area for domestic violence to occur.

I think in comparison to the traditional views of domestic violence, the views of today have changed or I guess altered over time. Now, I feel that even though the man is often blamed most times for abusing the woman, we see that it is in fact both ways, woman are also abusive towards men. Before, I feel like that was a hidden topic, but not so much anymore. For example, at the beginning of the year I remember hearing a story about a female teacher hitting one of her students that was in second grade.  Overall though, I think what surprised me the most was Kibria’s article when it talks about how in some cultures domestic violence is accepted. I’m trying to process this one, in a way; I think it is like the issue of hitting your child for discipline. At one time, that is what people did, hit their children with belts or shoes and no one said anything, but now it’s like CPS gets involved and at times it can turn into a huge misunderstanding.  In retrospect, I think in either situation it can become violent quickly and unacceptable, as someone will always end up hurt. I think those cultures that do accept domestic violence do not talk about it because they know other cultures will think differently about them.

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