Microwomen

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Issues discussed in regards to Marshall Islands4 Functions & Duties given to Marshallese womenWomen’s power is NOT evident traditional roles, women MAKE IT POSSIBLE for men to appear on public stageThis should mean women have to observersBecause of more power than men BUT this is NOT SO.People are biased to what they see, so if they see that men make decisions they believe men hold the power.Because history is written & told based on this “misperception” it has created a thinking that focuses on male-power

Then she takes us to Chuuk

Issues discussed in regards to ChuukThe Chuukese tradition has a saying “Men have wings, women only have feet”. Meaning:Men have strength & capabilities far superior than womenMen are less realistic than women (Men in clouds, women have feet on ground)Before colonization, Chuuk masculinity was expressed through a warrior culture.After colonization Chuuk males stopped traditional battles and began drinking alcohol.“Men have wings, women only have feet” gives men permission to engage in destructive behavior (alcoholism) while women are required to maintain order.BUT how can women do this if they are exposed to physical violence inflicted by men in society?Women can’t help make decisions about alcohol policy because they are not allowed to participate.Trukese view it inappropriate for women to speak out.

Then she takes us to PalauWhose women kept going to keep culture & language alive.

Issues discussed in regards to PalauBelau women’s roles include own & devise land, control clan money, select chiefsWestern people took Belau men’s rightsWomen kept going to keep culture & language aliveWhen Belau women select & appoint a chief it is not recognized until it is approved by council of chiefs (No Power)Women not allowed under Belau’s custom to speak on matters concerning clan.Women not allowed to sit in meeting house.There is a conflict in ways of thinking between men and women in BelauWomen activist believe women’s traditional roles give them power to be responsible for government of Belau & to take action against men who rule (who work against them)The governors of Belau see male leadership as significant.They use issue of class to undermine legitimacy of womenSays Ngirmang not of chief rank of women who are allowed to speak in public

Issues discussed in regards to PalauReferendums & Court Cases on Compact debate Media analyst overlook Belau women’s opposition to CompactIssues of Compact women are concerned aboutStorage of nuclear weaponsWaste & energyMilitary use of land in BelauWomen asserted a type of feminism by pursuing a cause which most of their male leaders opposed or have abandoned

The U.S. in Micronesia“Stronger culture, controls the pen, controls history, holds power.”Said’sOrientalism Concept Western intellectuals who spread knowledge about colonies had freedom of interaction/contact/communication which was a privilege.

Issues discussed in regards to The U.S. in MicronesiaWomen have adapted & transplanted their powerful or power-sharing roles into new social & political structures imposed by colonialism.Colonialism brought a kind of patriarchy which has distorted & limited women’s participation in decision making.**Contemporary Micronesian men have been willing to acknowledge the traditional importance of women as long as male dominance remains the visible reality.**Male Micronesian leaders cooperated with American men to bring 2 parts of modern colonialism.Militarization  increase in male population leads to prostitutionProstitution  women consider this as negative aspect of US presence / women place more value on goods/money than servicesNUCLEAR TESTING IN MARSHALL ISLANDSNegative effect of militarization on women’s livesBirth deformities, cancers, alienation from homes** Marshallese tradition lays suspicion of infidelity to women who give birth to deformed babies.**Women hindered from compensationURBANIZATION (social aspects)Affected women socially & materiallyEducational & professional opportunities arise in urban centerUS socioeconomic development emphasized DOMESTIC SKILL & CONVENTIONAL CAREERSWomen not encouraged by family to go on for higher education.Increased consumerism is a concern (substance abuse [alcohol & visual media] & nutritional problems)It is wrong when women’s interest of concerns are CONFINED to “traditional roles” sphere it is then that gender inequities existThe colonial experience has burdened women by adding more problematic dimensions to their responsibilities.Microwomen have voiced strong commitment to ending colonial & sexist injusticeMicrowomen who came from matrilineal tradition have sex-gender relations advantages BUT suffer the same inequities as other societies affected by Euro-American colonialism.

Women’s assertions of their interests is very much a part of decolonization Women of Marshall Islands, Chuuk, Belau are trying to right the wrong of colonists (nuclear arms shipment & testing, land alienation, economic dependency) MENThe U.S. as a colonial power AND Micronesian men as receivers of most of benefits from the system,Operated by IGNORING & DOWNPLAYING the POWER & RELEVANCE of women in political affairs.Their power is BASED ON AN ILLUSIONWOMENSome women are fighting to achieve a real balance of power between sexes and nations.Need to recognize political aspects of private livesMany prefer to work within “the private sphere”A women-centered view of history & politics is vital for an accurate understanding of power dynamics & change involved in colonialism.(Said’sOrientalism Colonized cannot get out of their situation if they are not aware that they are being colonized)

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Microwomen - Presentation Transcript

Microwomen: U.S. Colonialism & Micronesian Women ActivistsBy Teresia K. Teaiwa
Brought to you by these fine folks:
Marvin Linder
Patricia Rodriguez
Teaiwa’s Main Point
Microwomen’s traditional roles and responsibilities have been altered significantly by colonialism.
Micronesian men have been willing to acknowledge the traditional roles and importance of women AS LONG AS
male dominance remains the visible reality.
Marshall Islands
Nurturer.
Peacemaker.
Benefactor.
Encourager.
Issues discussed in regards to Marshall Islands
- Women’s power is NOT evident to observers
- Because of traditional roles, women MAKE IT POSSIBLE for men to appear on public stage
- Should mean women have more power BUT this is not so.
Chuuk
“Men have wings, women only have feet.”
Issues discussed in regards to Chuuk
- Before colonization, Chuuk masculinity was expressed through a warrior culture.
- After colonization Chuuk males stopped traditional battles and began drinking alcohol.
- Men engage in destructive behavior (alcoholism) while women are required to maintain order.
Palau
“Struggle to keep culture & language alive.”
Issues discussed in regards to Palau
- Belau women’s roles include own & devise land, control clan money, select chiefs
- Women kept going to keep culture & language alive
- When Belau women select & appoint a chief it is not recognized until it is approved by council of chiefs
- There is a conflict in ways of thinking between men and women in Belau
Issues discussed in regards to Palau
- Referendums & Court Cases on Compact debate
- Media analyst overlook Belau women’s opposition to Compact
- Women asserted a type of feminism by pursuing a cause which most of their male leaders opposed or have abandoned
The U.S in
Micronesia
“Stronger culture, controls the pen, controls history, holds power.”
Issues discussed in regards to The U.S in Micronesia
- Women have adapted & transplanted their
powerful or power-sharing roles into new
social & political structures imposed by
colonialism.
- Militarization & Prostitution
- Nuclear Testing in Marshall Islands
- Urbanization (Social Aspects)
Historical Analysis
Teaiwa’s article is accurate, complete, informative, & relevant
Significant to history because it allows the reader to come to these realizations:
power based on an illusion
Women are fighting to achieve balance of power between sexes & nations and NEED to recognized political aspects of private lives.
Historiography
Teaiwa’s article is…
Counter-Canonical
Gynocentric
Islander-centered