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Third World Women and the Politics of Feminism
"The essays are provocative and enhance knowledge of Third World women's issues. Highly recommended . . . " ―Choice
" . . . the book challenges assumptions and pushes historic and geographical boundaries that must be altered if women of all colors are to win the struggles thrust upon us by the 'new world order' of the 1990s." ―New Directions for Women
"This surely is a book for anyone trying to comprehend the ways sexism fuels racism in a post-colonial, post-Cold War world that remains dangerous for most women." ―Cynthia H. Enloe
" . . . provocative analyses of the simultaneous oppressions of race, class, gender and sexuality . . . a powerful collection." ―Gloria Anzaldúa
" . . . propels third world feminist perspectives from the periphery to the cutting edge of feminist theory in the 1990s." ―Aihwa Ong
" . . . a carefully presented wealth of much-needed information." ―Audre Lorde
" . . . it is a significant book." ―The Bloomsbury Review
" . . . excellent . . . The nondoctrinaire approach to the Third World and to feminism in general is refreshing and compelling." ―World Literature Today
". . . an excellent collection of essays examining 'Third World' feminism." ―The Year's Work in Critical and Cultural Theory
These essays document the debates, conflicts, and contradictions among those engaged in developing third world feminist theory and politics. Evelyne Accad, M. Jacqui Alexander, Carmen Barroso, Cristina Bruschini, Rey Chow, Juanita Diaz-Cotto, Angela Gilliam, Faye V. Harrison, Cheryl Johnson-Odim, Chandra Talpade Mohanty, Ann Russo, Barbara Smith, Nayereh Tohidi, Lourdes Torres, Cheryl L. West, & Nellie Wong.
" . . . the book challenges assumptions and pushes historic and geographical boundaries that must be altered if women of all colors are to win the struggles thrust upon us by the 'new world order' of the 1990s." ―New Directions for Women
"This surely is a book for anyone trying to comprehend the ways sexism fuels racism in a post-colonial, post-Cold War world that remains dangerous for most women." ―Cynthia H. Enloe
" . . . provocative analyses of the simultaneous oppressions of race, class, gender and sexuality . . . a powerful collection." ―Gloria Anzaldúa
" . . . propels third world feminist perspectives from the periphery to the cutting edge of feminist theory in the 1990s." ―Aihwa Ong
" . . . a carefully presented wealth of much-needed information." ―Audre Lorde
" . . . it is a significant book." ―The Bloomsbury Review
" . . . excellent . . . The nondoctrinaire approach to the Third World and to feminism in general is refreshing and compelling." ―World Literature Today
". . . an excellent collection of essays examining 'Third World' feminism." ―The Year's Work in Critical and Cultural Theory
These essays document the debates, conflicts, and contradictions among those engaged in developing third world feminist theory and politics. Evelyne Accad, M. Jacqui Alexander, Carmen Barroso, Cristina Bruschini, Rey Chow, Juanita Diaz-Cotto, Angela Gilliam, Faye V. Harrison, Cheryl Johnson-Odim, Chandra Talpade Mohanty, Ann Russo, Barbara Smith, Nayereh Tohidi, Lourdes Torres, Cheryl L. West, & Nellie Wong.
352 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1991
About the author
Chandra Talpade Mohanty
17 books215 followersChandra Talpade Mohanty (born 1955) is a prominent postcolonial and transnational feminist theorist.
She became well-known after the publication of her influential essay, "Under Western Eyes: Feminist Scholarship and Colonial Discourses" in 1986. In this essay, Mohanty critiques the political project of Western feminism in its discursive construction of the category of the "Third World woman" as a hegemonic entity. Mohanty states that Western feminisms have tended to gloss over the differences between Southern women, but that the experience of oppression is incredibly diverse, and contingent on geography, history, and culture.
In 2003, Chandra Mohanty released her book, "Feminism Without Borders: Decolonizing Theory, Practicing Solidarity". In this work, she argues for a bridging of theory and praxis, and the personal and the political. Major themes addressed include the politics of difference, transnational solidarity building, and anticapitalist struggle against globalization.
Mohanty is originally from Mumbai, India. She holds a Ph.D. and Master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, as well as a Master's degree and a bachelor's degree from the University of Delhi in India. Originally a professor of women's studies at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, she is currently the women's studies department chair at Syracuse University.
She became well-known after the publication of her influential essay, "Under Western Eyes: Feminist Scholarship and Colonial Discourses" in 1986. In this essay, Mohanty critiques the political project of Western feminism in its discursive construction of the category of the "Third World woman" as a hegemonic entity. Mohanty states that Western feminisms have tended to gloss over the differences between Southern women, but that the experience of oppression is incredibly diverse, and contingent on geography, history, and culture.
In 2003, Chandra Mohanty released her book, "Feminism Without Borders: Decolonizing Theory, Practicing Solidarity". In this work, she argues for a bridging of theory and praxis, and the personal and the political. Major themes addressed include the politics of difference, transnational solidarity building, and anticapitalist struggle against globalization.
Mohanty is originally from Mumbai, India. She holds a Ph.D. and Master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, as well as a Master's degree and a bachelor's degree from the University of Delhi in India. Originally a professor of women's studies at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, she is currently the women's studies department chair at Syracuse University.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 15, 2009
1. Okay, first of all . . . I'm glad this book exists. If I had to do a cheesy one-sentence pitch for it, I would say it is like This Bridge Called My Back except without the open veins and with more a significantly more academic tone. (Although, of course, the writers are critical of establishments such as academia.)
2. That said, it is very much a book of its moment - this is most apparent in the references to global political situations that have since, um, changed quite a bit. So, I would really love an updated version of some of these articles.
3. Also, the writers talk a lot about the trap of individualism, and fair enough. Any work that critiques Western society (including mainstream feminism) should seriously consider/critique the harms a too-individualistic zeitgeist can cause. But at the same time, I really feel very strongly that individuals matter more than movements. Have I read too much Forster? Probably. Certainly, my position isn't that "it's all about ME and MY PAIN" is the Way Forward. That's a stupid and harmful position, and wallowing doesn't do much good. Look, I know the necessity of despair - but there's a reason Romanticism (and, for that matter, existentialism) floundered after it could stop rebelling against Neoclassicism. You can't have ONLY Pope and ONLY Shelley, right? You need Auden too. Or something.
4. I really liked the following articles: "The Truth That Never Hurts: Black Lesbians in Fiction in the 1980s," "Building Politics from Personal Lives: Discussions on Sexuality among Poor Women in Brazil," "Women and Crime in the United States," "Gender and Islamic Fundamentalism: Feminist Politics in Iran," and "'We Cannot Live without Our Lives': White Women, Antiracism, and Feminsim."
2. That said, it is very much a book of its moment - this is most apparent in the references to global political situations that have since, um, changed quite a bit. So, I would really love an updated version of some of these articles.
3. Also, the writers talk a lot about the trap of individualism, and fair enough. Any work that critiques Western society (including mainstream feminism) should seriously consider/critique the harms a too-individualistic zeitgeist can cause. But at the same time, I really feel very strongly that individuals matter more than movements. Have I read too much Forster? Probably. Certainly, my position isn't that "it's all about ME and MY PAIN" is the Way Forward. That's a stupid and harmful position, and wallowing doesn't do much good. Look, I know the necessity of despair - but there's a reason Romanticism (and, for that matter, existentialism) floundered after it could stop rebelling against Neoclassicism. You can't have ONLY Pope and ONLY Shelley, right? You need Auden too. Or something.
4. I really liked the following articles: "The Truth That Never Hurts: Black Lesbians in Fiction in the 1980s," "Building Politics from Personal Lives: Discussions on Sexuality among Poor Women in Brazil," "Women and Crime in the United States," "Gender and Islamic Fundamentalism: Feminist Politics in Iran," and "'We Cannot Live without Our Lives': White Women, Antiracism, and Feminsim."
November 6, 2012
A very valuable contribution to the literature, emphasizing that women or women groups are not ahistorical or universal, and they are differentiated by class, ethnicity, geographical locations etc. Although some concepts in this book are arguably not so relevant today, still very eye opening realities are discussed.
March 21, 2015
So so so so good!!! Every single essay is brilliant. This book was published in 1991 and it is amazing to see the progress - and lack thereof - that has been made in my lifetime. You can't know where you're going unless you know where you've been - that's what this book means to me. It gives me a history to root my feminism in. I have so much love and respect and admiration for all the women included in this anthology. Honesty I just learnt so much and I feel really #blessed.
October 13, 2010
first book i read on third world feminism when i was abroad. WOW, so empowering...so on point. my life was never the same after that.
February 23, 2013
One of the best books out there on women's social and political conditions in Africa and southern Asia.
May 22, 2026
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2.5 Stars
Feelings about the book:
- This book was born out of a conference: Common differences: third world women and feminist perspectives.
- It’s crazy that feminists know how to articulate what exactly needs dismantling, conscious raising etc when it comes to the differences between third world women and western women. Yet, we are where we are…
Premise/Plot:
- Academics, authors, publishers, activists contribute to this volume of essays that challenge Western feminist frameworks that treat third world women as a singular, oppressed peoples.
Themes:
- Feminism flaws such as imperialism and otherness of third world women, postcolonial feminism, race, class, and global inequality, representation and voice, colonialism and more
Pros:
- It was great to read about the literature review of studies done in developing countries. The critiques of those studies were just. But it was also good to see that the literature being showcased; as I didn’t know they existed.
- The essay, Violence in the other country: China as crisis, spectacle and woman by Rey Chow was a good essay. I liked how western feminism’s relationship with Chinese women was explored.
- I appreciated that some essays acknowledged some of the fatal flaws within feminist movements and organisations. For example, instances of homophobia, classism, ignorance, racism etc during feminist conferences and its history.
Cons:
- Most of the essays in this anthology were pretty average, some even below-average.
- This book would have been way better if anthropology was the main discipline driving the essays, and not feminism. Analysing feminist reception, attitudes, philosophy on third world women works best through an anthropological lens.
- The essays lack depth and serious intellectual challenge and exploration about the specific disadvantages to third world women. The lack of cultural, social, historical and economic analysis on imperialism illustrates this.
- As usual with a lot of feminist books I’ve read (i.e. The Will to Change etc), there is usually an important line or two worth exploring further. Yet they don’t. Mainly because it critiques the choices of women.
Quotes:
‘The homogeneity of women as a group is produced not on the basis of biological essentials but rather on the basis of secondary sociological and anthropological universals.’
‘What happens when this assumption of “women as an oppressed group” is situated in the context of Western feminist writing about third world women? It is here that I locate the colonialist move.’
‘What has become untenable is the way Western feminism imposes its own interests and methodologies on those who do not inhabit the same sociohistorical spaces, thus reducing the latter to a state of reified silence and otherness.’
‘The development of any theory typically requires a period in which the space which that theory marks off for its own emergence is elaborated to the point at which it must give way to its own critique. Western feminism, I think, is at such a point.’
‘Black American women sometimes suspect that the movement which purports to represent the interests of “women” is, similarly, the desire of a few white women to enter the corporate boardroom.’
2.5 Stars
Feelings about the book:
- This book was born out of a conference: Common differences: third world women and feminist perspectives.
- It’s crazy that feminists know how to articulate what exactly needs dismantling, conscious raising etc when it comes to the differences between third world women and western women. Yet, we are where we are…
Premise/Plot:
- Academics, authors, publishers, activists contribute to this volume of essays that challenge Western feminist frameworks that treat third world women as a singular, oppressed peoples.
Themes:
- Feminism flaws such as imperialism and otherness of third world women, postcolonial feminism, race, class, and global inequality, representation and voice, colonialism and more
Pros:
- It was great to read about the literature review of studies done in developing countries. The critiques of those studies were just. But it was also good to see that the literature being showcased; as I didn’t know they existed.
- The essay, Violence in the other country: China as crisis, spectacle and woman by Rey Chow was a good essay. I liked how western feminism’s relationship with Chinese women was explored.
- I appreciated that some essays acknowledged some of the fatal flaws within feminist movements and organisations. For example, instances of homophobia, classism, ignorance, racism etc during feminist conferences and its history.
Cons:
- Most of the essays in this anthology were pretty average, some even below-average.
- This book would have been way better if anthropology was the main discipline driving the essays, and not feminism. Analysing feminist reception, attitudes, philosophy on third world women works best through an anthropological lens.
- The essays lack depth and serious intellectual challenge and exploration about the specific disadvantages to third world women. The lack of cultural, social, historical and economic analysis on imperialism illustrates this.
- As usual with a lot of feminist books I’ve read (i.e. The Will to Change etc), there is usually an important line or two worth exploring further. Yet they don’t. Mainly because it critiques the choices of women.
Quotes:
‘The homogeneity of women as a group is produced not on the basis of biological essentials but rather on the basis of secondary sociological and anthropological universals.’
‘What happens when this assumption of “women as an oppressed group” is situated in the context of Western feminist writing about third world women? It is here that I locate the colonialist move.’
‘What has become untenable is the way Western feminism imposes its own interests and methodologies on those who do not inhabit the same sociohistorical spaces, thus reducing the latter to a state of reified silence and otherness.’
‘The development of any theory typically requires a period in which the space which that theory marks off for its own emergence is elaborated to the point at which it must give way to its own critique. Western feminism, I think, is at such a point.’
‘Black American women sometimes suspect that the movement which purports to represent the interests of “women” is, similarly, the desire of a few white women to enter the corporate boardroom.’
May 30, 2017
I had the pleasure to meet with Dr. Chandra Talpade Mohanty together with selected faculty and students on April 21, 2017 at Villanova University, and what followed was an interesting discussion on the pedagogy of dissent in the neoliberal space of higher education. What was profound in this discussion was how closely the institutionalization of managerial class and the production of knowledge tie together, and how they both connect with imperialism.
When I pointed out my own experience as often being assigned as “representative voice” from the ‘South,’ and how I sometimes find myself going-with-the-lingo in spaces such as the United Nations, and, to some extent, in academic circles, while noting that the ‘lingo’ at times contradicts with the objective, Mohanty (2017) rightfully pointed out that the terminology that is used in those circles in and of itself directs the attention away from the core issues and opts for developmental language instead. She gave the example of how the term “equality” is often used in certain mediums, when it would be more relevant to focus on issues of “justice” instead. Talking about all-encompassing notions of “equality” as such bases itself on the assumption that human rights have been achieved, and that what is left on the to-do list is to simply sharpen things up the edges. But such lingo fails to spot that there if there is defect in a dominant system, having more women representation within that system and keeping the status quo is not going to be so constructive as long as the system itself is put under question.
In this book, Mohanty notes that the task of the intellectual is not to assume superiority and become the representative of “muted” voices, but to examine how the structures of representation are formed, and find ways to fragment the binaries of “difference”
When I pointed out my own experience as often being assigned as “representative voice” from the ‘South,’ and how I sometimes find myself going-with-the-lingo in spaces such as the United Nations, and, to some extent, in academic circles, while noting that the ‘lingo’ at times contradicts with the objective, Mohanty (2017) rightfully pointed out that the terminology that is used in those circles in and of itself directs the attention away from the core issues and opts for developmental language instead. She gave the example of how the term “equality” is often used in certain mediums, when it would be more relevant to focus on issues of “justice” instead. Talking about all-encompassing notions of “equality” as such bases itself on the assumption that human rights have been achieved, and that what is left on the to-do list is to simply sharpen things up the edges. But such lingo fails to spot that there if there is defect in a dominant system, having more women representation within that system and keeping the status quo is not going to be so constructive as long as the system itself is put under question.
In this book, Mohanty notes that the task of the intellectual is not to assume superiority and become the representative of “muted” voices, but to examine how the structures of representation are formed, and find ways to fragment the binaries of “difference”
Read
December 22, 2021“Sexuality seems to have a revolutionary potential so strong that many political women and men are afraid of it” – Evelyne Accad, Sexuality and Sexual Politics: Conflicts and Contradictions for Contemporary Women in the Middle East
“Although sexuality is important it must be tied to the political and the economic, otherwise, women set themselves up for another kind of domination” Angela Gilliam, Women’s Equality and National Liberation
March 3, 2024
Really, really excellent and ever relevant.
June 10, 2008
This collection of essays is difficult, but well worth the time. The ways in which gender functions differently in different global contexts is an important reminder that all of us who care about the struggles of women must also care about the problems of imperialism, militarism, and capitalism.
Currently Reading
May 21, 2015". the book challenges assumptions and pushes historic and geographical boundaries that must be altered if women of all colors are to win the struggles thrust upon us by the 'new world order' of the 1990s." --New Directions for Women
January 17, 2008
a classic!
February 3, 2009
Very clearly rooted in the feminist debates of the early 90s; not quite so relevant anymore.
August 6, 2020
2019 Reading Challenge - A book written by an author from Asia, Africa, or South America
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews