Conflict: A source of conviction

    It is clear from the readings we have read and discussions in class that the road to women’s equality has been a long, contentious, and arduous process. Furthermore, it is essential that we acknowledge that this struggle continues to exist today. Reading DuBois’ article “Old Wave and New Wave”, I found it interesting that the advancement of the women’s movement and the feminist agenda in the first and second waves of feminism have distinctively resulted from the divisions and conflict women experienced in their participation within other social reformist movements.

    The abolitionist movement, a social reformist movement grounded on the fundamental tenets of equality and the abolition of slavery, served as an outlet and medium through which women could participate in and support because of the shared ideals of equality that coincided with women’s suffrage and rights. However, their participation was limited, representation marginalized, and voice muted by the same men who purportedly sought to pursue the ideals of equality and freedom. Women’s contributions within the Abolitionist movement were confined to menial tasks and secretarial duties, whereas decision-making processes and important responsibilities were reserved for men. Their needs, desires, and interests were relegated as secondary and trivial. The abolitionist movement gave way to the passing of thr 14^th and 15^th amendment, but both disregarded the status of women and excluded them from considerations of equal rights.  Women’s discrimination had transcended its occupancy within the local into the federal domain and national level.

    It became apparent the the oppression of women was not a top priority in the agenda of men, thus; women had to take initiative and fight for their rights independently of men. This contradiction in the purported goals of equality within abolitionist movement and the reality of equality achieved prompted women to engender a new social movement that addressed women’s equality as the foremost issue of social reform. Similar parallels occurred in their participation within the Civil Rights movement, where fallouts in their interaction with men prompted and reinvigorated the feminist cause.
The very sources of conflict and division experienced by women in their participation with other social and political movements gave impetus, conviction, and a sense of unifying vigor that enabled them to make substantive progress and headway towards the ultimate goal of women’s equality. There is still much more room for improvement, and much more headway to be made in the battle for equal women’s rights. Perhaps similar conflict is what is necessary for the third wave of feminism to finally achieve it.