Danielle Hicks
Professor Abigail Heiniger
GSW 5200
24 February 2014
Weekly Journal 8
Within feminist theory there are feminist epistemologies or feminist theories of
knowledge. Much of feminist epistemology concerns the ways, situations, or perceptions of
knowledge attainment. In Uma Narayan’s “The Project of Feminist Epistemology: Perspectives
from a Nonwestern Feminist,” she addresses the concept of feminist epistemology from a
background entirely different than my own but surprisingly similar in regards to the concept of
an individuals being a product of their environment as well as the concept of “seeing” through
multiple perspectives or “double vision.”
Narayan identifies feminist epistemology as a theory of knowledge that incorporates
one’s location in the world as heavily determining one’s perceptions and understandings of the
world (370). In maintaining the perspective of a feminist epistemologist, Narayan also asserts
that one’s embodiments of certain classes, races, and genders, plays a significant role in one’s
perception of the world (374). Narayan also acknowledges the implications of feminist
epistemology by asserting that women’s contributions to the scientific world would create a
massive shift in the current perceptions of science that would result in a differed nature and
understanding of scientific knowledge (370). At one point, Narayan acknowledges a common
question within feminist theory; whether or not different groups of people should unite together
for the fight against oppressions and if these different groups should or should not share their
own backgrounds as well as attempt to understand other’s backgrounds (375). Narayan then
concludes by acknowledging that one may never be capable of fully understanding another’s
oppressions but that the attempts to understand will foster some understanding and sympathy and
even give an advantage over others who cannot view the world through “dual vision” (375).
I grew up in a middle class and primarily Caucasian environment with traditional values.
Just as many theories of psychology and sociology discuss, I am a product of my environment. I
am a product of my parent’s teachings, my teacher’s lessons, and the peers that surround me.
Although my views tend to strongly differ from the views of those who primarily influenced my
development throughout primary education, I have still been influenced by their stances and
continue to perceive the world differently because of them. Therefore, I find that in feminist
theory it is essential to recognize the importance of socialization on one’s own and other’s
perceptions, as well as to attempt to understand and sympathize with the socialization of other’s
perceptions in order to collectively work together.
Similar to Narayan’s views about feminist epistemology, Donna Haraway in “Situated
Knowledges: The Science Question in Feminism and the Privilege of Partial Perspective,”
acknowledges the influence that one’s social institutions and peers has upon one’s perceptions of
the world (412). Haraway may even take this concept further than Narayan by discussing the
very capability of sight and how it is influenced in various ways through socialization (414). In
relation to my belief of the importance of socialization in influencing one’s perceptions of the
world, Haraway discusses the concept of objectivity and subjectivity (415). Just as I believe,
Haraway states that one cannot be entirely objective (415). I find that it is essential to understand
this concept so that one can obtain a more true and open-minded perspective towards all factors
of life, including the understanding and sympathizing with of people from different backgrounds.
It is through this open-mindedness that I believe the entire world could begin to accept each
other for their differences and to an extent, understand the reasoning behind one’s perceptions,
behaviors, and beliefs. Specifically within feminism, this sense of open-mindedness will
significantly contribute to the ability of feminists to collectively work together, despite their
differences, in order to obtain equality.
As I have mentioned in previous weekly journals, I see the success in battling and
defeating oppressions through the collective efforts of multiple groups whether they be feminist
groups or not. As previous feminist theorists such as Lorde, Matsuda, and Anzaldua, have
encouraged, I also believe that collectivism is necessary to the success of equality movements
and for the obtainment of a more open-minded and accepting world. We live in a world full of
hatred, prejudice, and discrimination, but if we acknowledge all of the efforts against these
terrible things and do our best to understand and sympathize the individuals and groups that are
combatting them, we can then collectively ban together to overcome all oppressions.
Works Cited
Haraway, Donna. "Situated Knowledges: The Science Question in Feminism and the Privilege of
Partial Perspective." Feminist Theory Reader: Local and Global Perspectives. Ed. Carole
R. McCann and Seung-kyung Kim. 3rd ed. New York: Routledge, 2013. 412-23. Print.
Narayan, Uma. "The Project of Feminist Epistemology: Perspectives from a Nonwestern
Feminist." Feminist Theory Reader: Local and Global Perspectives. Ed. Carole R.
McCann and Seung-kyung Kim. 3rd ed. New York: Routledge, 2013. 370-78. Print.