Domestic Violence and Black Women’s Experiences

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Domestic violence was a significant problem among Black communities living in New York in the 1920s. This problem is explored by Zora Neale Hurston in her story “The Country in the Woman.” Hurston, an author of multiple novels about the life of African Americans in New York, never lived in Harlem herself. However, she managed to re-create the world of new urban African Americans who were coming to the North from Florida and other Southern states (Wall, 2019). This was a picture totally different from the scenes of the life of white people. Hurston’s use of AAVE in her writing helped to elevate and celebrate the language and culture of African Americans. In Harlem of the 1920s, manifestations of domestic violence were less violent compared to similar manifestations among the poor white population in the East Side New York, due to a better situation with gender equality among the African Americans.

In the story “The Country in the Woman,” Caroline Potts is a tough and temperamental African American woman who has recently moved from Florida to New York City with her husband, Mitchell. She is described as enjoying causing embarrassment for her husband when she catches him with other women and is shown confronting him in public after seeing him with another woman. The story explores the reality of life for an African American married woman in a patriarchal society by depicting Caroline as a complex and assertive character who is not afraid to stand up for herself and challenge the expectations placed on her as a woman.

In a patriarchal society, women are often expected to conform to strict gender roles and behaviors that prioritize the interests and needs of men. Marriage, in particular, is a key institution in patriarchal societies and is often used to control and subjugate women (Aizer, 2010). In the story, Caroline is married to a man who is unfaithful to her, but she is not passive or submissive in response. In a patriarchal society, women are often expected to conform to strict gender roles and behaviors that prioritize the interests and needs of men. These gender roles can be limiting and oppressive and can prevent women from fully expressing themselves and realizing their potential. Instead, she confronts him in public and threatens to harm the other woman, showing that she is not afraid to challenge the expectations placed on her as a wife. Caroline’s actions demonstrate the impact of patriarchy on her relationships and her sense of self, and the ways in which she resists and challenges these expectations.

Caroline’s assertiveness and refusal to conform to traditional gender roles is particularly significant given her race. African American women, like all women, have historically been marginalized and oppressed by patriarchy, but they have faced unique challenges and obstacles due to racism and discrimination. In the story, Caroline’s race is mentioned in passing, but it does not define her character or her experiences. Instead, she is portrayed as a fully realized and complex individual who is not defined by her race or gender, but by her own actions and choices. The story also explores the reality of life for an African American married woman in a patriarchal society by depicting Caroline’s relationship with her husband, Mitchell. While their marriage is strained by his infidelity, the story does not portray Caroline as a victim of domestic abuse. Instead, she is shown as a strong and capable woman who is able to stand up for herself and challenge her husband’s behavior. This depiction challenges stereotypes and assumptions about African American women, who are often portrayed as passive and submissive in the face of abuse and oppression.

The story explores the reality of life for an African American married woman in a patriarchal society by depicting Caroline as a complex and assertive character who is not afraid to challenge gender roles and expectations. Through her relationship with her husband, the story also challenges stereotypes and assumptions about African American women, showing them as strong and capable individuals who are not defined by their race or gender. The excerpt provided by the user describes a situation in which Caroline Potts, an African American woman, confronts her husband, Mitchell, in public after seeing him with another woman. Although the excerpt does not explicitly mention domestic violence, the themes it explores, such as the reality of life for an African American married woman in a patriarchal society and the challenges faced by African American women, are relevant to the broader reality of domestic violence as it affects black women.

Domestic violence is a pervasive problem that affects people of all races and ethnicities, but black women are disproportionately affected by it. This particular population is three times more likely to experience domestic violence than white women and is also more likely to experience severe forms of abuse, such as strangulation and gun violence (Malavika, 1998; Karlekar, 1998). The story’s portrayal of Caroline as a strong and assertive woman who is not afraid to challenge her husband’s behavior is significant in the context of domestic violence, as it challenges stereotypes and assumptions about black women as passive and submissive victims. In reality, black women are often at the forefront of the fight against domestic violence and are often the ones who seek help and support to escape abusive relationships.

The story highlights the intersection of race and gender in domestic violence, as black women face unique challenges and obstacles in seeking help and support due to racism and discrimination (Crenshaw, 1991). For example, black women may be less likely to report domestic violence to the police due to fears of being disbelieved or blamed and may face barriers to accessing services and support due to systemic racism and discrimination (Kothari, 2005). Overall, the story’s exploration of the reality of life for an African American married woman in a patriarchal society, and the challenges faced by black women, is relevant to the broader reality of domestic violence as it affects black women. By portraying Caroline as a strong and assertive character who is not afraid to challenge gender roles and expectations, the story challenges stereotypes and assumptions about black women and highlights the intersection of race and gender in domestic violence.

In the broader context of the excerpt and the discussion on black women, the criminalization of domestic violence can be seen as a potentially limited and even harmful approach to addressing the problem of domestic violence as it affects black women (Zorza, 1992). As discussed earlier, black women are disproportionately affected by domestic violence and are also more likely to experience severe forms of abuse, such as strangulation and gun violence. The criminalization of domestic violence may not always provide the support and services that black women need to escape abusive relationships and rebuild their lives.

In order to address domestic violence as a human rights issue, it is important to prioritize the rights and needs of victims of abuse, and to provide them with the support and services they need to escape violence and rebuild their lives. This can include providing education and awareness programs to prevent domestic violence, developing specialized services and supports for victims of abuse, and working with community organizations and advocates to create safe and supportive environments for survivors (Thomas & Beasley, 1993). It is also important to address the root causes of domestic violence, such as gender inequality, patriarchy, and discrimination, in order to create lasting and sustainable change.

Overall, the story by Zora Neale Hurston explores the reality of life for an African American married woman in a patriarchal society, and the challenges faced by black women. Through the character of Caroline Potts, the story challenges stereotypes and assumptions about black women as passive and submissive and portrays them as strong and capable individuals who are not defined by their race or gender. The story also highlights the intersection of race and gender in domestic violence, and the unique challenges and obstacles faced by black women in seeking help and support. Hurston’s use of African American English, or AAVE, in the story helps to elevate and celebrate the language and culture of African Americans. By writing in AAVE, Hurston is able to capture the authenticity and richness of black experiences and voices, and to challenge mainstream narratives and stereotypes about African Americans.

In conclusion, the story and its themes are relevant to the broader discourse on domestic violence and the experiences of black women. By depicting a strong and assertive black woman who is not afraid to challenge gender roles and expectations, the story challenges stereotypes and assumptions about black women, and highlights the intersection of race and gender in domestic violence. Hurston’s use of AAVE also helps to elevate and celebrate black culture and experiences and contributes to the ongoing discourse on domestic violence and the rights and experiences of black women.

References

Aizer, A. (2010). The gender wage gap and domestic violence. American Economic Review, 100(4), 1847-1859. Web.

Crenshaw, K. (1991). Mapping the margins: Intersectionality, identity politics and violence against women of color. Stanford Law Review, 43(6), 1241–1299.

Hurston, Z. N. (2010). The country in the woman. Harper’s magazine. Web.

Kothari, J. (2005). Criminal law on domestic violence: promises and limits. Economic and Political Weekly, 40(46), 4843-4849. Web.

Karlekar, M. (1998). Domestic violence. Economic and Political Weekly, 33(27), 1741–1751. Web.

Thomas, D. Q., & Beasely, M. E. (1993). Domestic violence as a human rights issue. Human Rights Quarterly, 15(1), 36-42.

Wall, C. A. (2019). 7. Harlem as Culture Capital in 1920s African American Fiction. In Race Capital? (pp. 165-182). Columbia University Press.

Zorza, J. (1992). The criminal law of misdemeanor domestic violence, 1970-1990. The Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 83(1), 46-72.

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Domestic Violence and Black Women’s Experiences

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