Sexual violence as a tool of genocide

As an observer of other cultures, one can easily draw conclusions regarding practices and distinguish what they consider to be ‘natural’ and acquired behavior. But truth can only be known if one is part of that culture or community. A close examination of the book elicits reactions on how women have been abused. The author discusses about stereotypical conducts against women who are not white. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Sexual violence as a tool of genocide specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is painful to see some cases where women are considered as objects that can be raped which is a behavior that cannot be condoned. Issues concerning the way men perceive gender issues and violence towards women who are non whites is scrutinized by the author. How we analyze issues regarding sexual violence differ. Sexual violence was used as a tool of colonization and discrimination on the basis of race. Th e biggest victims of sexual violence in this case, are communities who are not white. The author himself argues that, â€Å"colonial relationships were gendered and sexualized.† Though sexual violence affects both native and foreign women, the magnitude with which they are addressed is different. In this case, when Indian men and women are abused, the manner in which the act is perceived is different from when a native woman is abused. In the event that a native woman is sexually abused, it is considered an attack on her as a woman and as a native woman. This is a clear indication that issues to do with colonization, racism and gender segregation cannot be separated because they all interrelate in some ways. A ruling by the court in a case among the Aboriginal people of Australia demonstrates the justification of injustices of sexual violence towards women. In this case, a fifty year old Aboriginal man had raped a fifteen year old girl. The ruling by the judge was lenient on the offender due to his statement that the rape case was not a serious crime but an act of ‘traditional culture.’ Among the basis of his ruling is the fact that the girl knew what to do and that protection was unnecessary because she was aware that the man who raped her had also killed his former wife. Advertising Looking for essay on gender studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to the testimony of the anthropologist, â€Å"rape was a traditional act and morally correct.† In my opinion, this is misleading and is likely to escalate activities of sexual violence against women. It is disgusting to observe the expert say that this act is a ‘cultural behavior’ and that it is ‘morally correct.’ The author does a good analysis by relating the origin of sexual violence and genocide to racist discrimination and colonization to women in a broad context. Colonialist used sexu al violence as a means of getting rid of native people while slave masters used it to bore children who were intended for labor use. Immigrant women have not been spared by discrimination. They have also experienced sexual harassment and widespread bias in employment policies which sideline them. A good example is the Chinese women. As a result, these women are forced to engage in immoral behaviors in order to earn a living, that is prostitution. Nothing beneficial can come from this perception of women. If the practice continues, while authorities continue accepting it as a ‘cultural behavior’ then people are going to take it as a common practice hence, they will continue practicing it. Women need to be empowered and given equal opportunities in life. This essay on Sexual violence as a tool of genocide was written and submitted by user Hana Walker to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

American Verna Essays - Hindu Law, Caste, Social Status, Varna

American Verna Essays - Hindu Law, Caste, Social Status, Varna American Verna The American Verna Why is that humans were able to practically take over their environment and leave all other animal species far behind in the race of survival? Not many would argue that we were able to do so just because we can walk upright and we have unspecialized teeth. In fact, humans are capable of many things that separate us from the animals. Our far most important trait is the ability to analyze and comprehend complex subject matters. From that we can learn, understand and communicate with one another so we could accomplish things as a group, a group which one day became so complex that without structure and laws, chaos would preside. In our times, we see many distinct cultures where each has its own way of organizing and way of keeping its people in harmony. Although most of the world is leaning towards democracy, there are few nations who believe in the ancient ways. One of the most controversial civilizations studied is the Indian civilization, which developed and flourished as early as 70 00 B.C.E. The controversy rises from a harsh though well-thought classification of people due to their skin color and other physical characteristics. To democratic America this may sound a bit horrifying although some even argue that the United States maintains some sort of a caste system perhaps even as harsh as the one in India. This idea can surely be proven wrong through a close comparison of the Indian social structure and the American freedom. A false conclusion should not be made that there is no sort of a caste system in America, but one that is not as rigid nor providing social importance as the one in Ancient Indian culture. The way a culture develops and evolves plays a major role of how the system would stand. As explained later, there are few theories of how and why a caste system is created, but all studied caste systems have common foundations. One common issue is that there are physical differences between each caste whether they associate with the way a person can perform activities or not. However, a major difference is how the separate classes serve and correlate with one another. Manu, one of the earliest rulers of India, wrote a description of the Indian social structure. The Law of Manu consists of a brief explanation of what are the objectives and duties of each Indian class, also know as Varna. Even though the lower castes were involved in more physical obligations, it clearly shows that the upper classes were also involved in someway of serving the lower classes: Teaching, studying performing sacrificial rites, so too making others perform sacrificial rites, and giving away and receiving gifts- these he assigned to the [Brahmins]. Protection of the people, giving away of wealth, performance of sacrificial rites, study, and nonattachment to sensual pleasures- these are, in short, are the duties of the kshatriya. Tending to cattle, giving away of wealth, performance of sacrificial rites, study, trade and commerce, usury, and agriculture- these are the occupations of the Vaisya. The lord has prescribed only one occupation [karma] for a Sudra, namely, service without malice of even these other three classes. Within the Indian culture, there is a great level of interaction between the different classes, unlike in the early United States, where Americans imported an entire society and forced them to serve as their lower class. The slaves were treated with unbearable conditions, which made them develop hate and the need to revolt. The aftermath of the civil war included the abolishment of slavery though racism still plays a major role. Just the fact that there was a need for a revolution shows how negatively based the American system became. Lower classes wanted to climb the social ladder and are now able to do so. In Indian societies the movement up the hierarchy is not as simple as getting your education and working a good job. In fact, the concept of changing ones Varna during his lifetime was unheard of. In order to get bumped up the Indians had to follow the Dharma which is described as a law regulating human behavior and imposes different requirements on different individual depending on their

Nineteenth Century Realism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Nineteenth Century Realism - Essay Example The realists democratized art through the depiction of modern subjects from the common people, mostly the working class. The basis of realism was the direct observation of people’s lives as opposed to idealized classicism of art and the themes forming the basis of Romanticism. This paper shall discuss three works of art created during the period of Realism, with emphasis on European art. Gustave Coubert was one of the strongest proponents of Realism. He secured his place as a pioneer through challenging the art that had for a long time been favored by the state-sponsored academy of art. By extension, Coubert challenged the core of history painting. Coubert painted this work and exhibited it at the Salons de Paris in 1849 and 1850-51. In this work of art, Coubert portrayed common people from his native region on a scale previously reserved for the elevation of themes in painting about history. He used people who were present at the burial. This painting was selected for this st udy because of the message that is sought to pass across to the public. The realism in the 315 by 668 cm oil painting comes through the burial of Coubert’s great uncle. The setting is in Ornans, a small town in France. The painting had a significant effect on the art scene, since it did not have the depictions that most artistes would bring out. This work of art was unique in the sense that it had an unflattering air. Gourmet did not attempt to romanticize the depictions of mourning and grief in this art work.