Equal Treatment of All Irrespective of Sex, Race or Ability - Essay Example

s Equal Treatment of All Irrespective of Sex, Race or Ability Aphra Behn’s lyric poem "on her loving two equally"is sexual in nature. This essay shall seek to examine the meaning conveyed by the poet, the target audience as well as some memorable lines of the poem. Will further, study Judith Sargent Murray On the Equality of the Sexes giving comparisons ,advantages and disadvantages as well as effects of the issues under discussion, give highlights on female theorists, Du Bois – Double consciousness and lastly address on Ableism and its challenges on our perceptions. Aphra Behn’s poem "on her loving two equally" is expressed in three stanzas as an avid ardor in awe of the excitement by the youth that pushes them into wanting to have more than they can chew. The lyric talks of the dilemma in which, the persona who is female has got herself into. She is in a hook that proves difficult to get out; the desire for both Damon and Alexis. She asserts that could it not be for Alexis who made a way for Damon, Damon would not have gotten into her heart while Damon assisted Alexis in winning her heart by speaking in appreciation of him which created mayhem. "Nor could Alexis powerful prove, Without my Damon’s Aid, to gain my Love.’’ The second stanza exemplifies the desire she has for both Damon and Alexis. The poem is highly sexual and erotic for its rich sexual vocabulary employed there in. This stanza ends with the use of the word ‘die’ to imply the reach of the climax. The final stanza comes with the speaker calling unto a god, Cupid to take back one of the shots but she isn’t sure which. One golden-pointed dart take back: But which, O Cupid, wilt thou take? If Damons, all my hopes are crossed; Or that of my Alexis, I am lost. It is a poem meant to electrify and infuriate especially the male audience. It is an intentional expression of a real sexual scene in words by Aphra ( King, 2008).  Judith Sargent Murray On the Equality of the Sexes Judith Sargent Murray looks into detail the bodily superiority of men and the mental superiority of women. Murray vehemently asserts that the faculty of imagination has been unquestionably bestowed on women. This is exemplified by the power of the females so enormous at their readiness to act by their first thoughts. With the females imaginative faculties they tend to reason on only what they know which is quite dangerous. The creative powers they possess make up stories which could be really destructive. However, she accepts that the judgment of the females not so strong due to the partialities of custom which are traced from the disparities of education background. The female is depressed, confined and domesticated while the male is exalted and encouraged to aspire being led through prosperous paths yet nature provides for equal minds. This disparity leaves a void to the unexploited abilities of the women folk while those that get the opportunity to pursue their dreams through books are attached to style and indignity and are no happy since they are left to pursue men for sexual enjoyment. This inferiority still trails them and they cannot improve. She however asserts that since nature treats everyone equal and has seen both successful males and females have all got crowns and fame (Murray & Harris, 1995).  With the females imaginative faculties they tend to reason on only what they know which is quite dangerous. The creative powers they possess they make up stories which could be really destructive. Female theorist and contributions made to academia Kelly Coate is a female theorist who basically writes about gender discrimination and academia in articles (Jaquette, & Summerfield, 2007). An article written in the Guardian paid tribute to Coate’s assertions. The writer explains the effects of gender bias on the line of academics when it comes to job application. Female applicants are judged more harshly in Sweden than the male counterparts due to the perceived male aptitude. Coate’s research on shows how men rate their work of higher quality than that of the females. It further highlights the different position of the two genders in relation to ‘star academic’ or ‘leading scholar’. Like one contributor in their study affirmed: ‘There is a prevailing attitude that women are the worker bees and men are the shining academic stars. The work than women do in this university needs to be recognized‘. Kelly reiterates that labor put in by the women in the academy seen as bodily and others mental and scholarly ought to be reviewed. The inequalities witnessed in the issue of peer review and study subsidy, with application for academic endorsement judged on academic pamphlets and research funding, has serious effects also looking at the chances of promotion and career development. These are all factors leading to disparities between the genders in higher education. All be feminists is not bad a suggestion. This ensures equal treatment of all since equal considerations would be granted to all. Burchill (3) states that “A good part—and definitely the most fun part—of being a feminist is about frightening men.” This is definitely directed to men. Julie sees being a feminist a good fun part in addition to t he fight for equality with men who always want to be at the lead. DuBois idea of double consciousness Du Bois idea of consciousness refers to ‘looking at oneself through the eyes of others’ (Wehnert, 2010, p.12).That Africans Americans have always seen themselves as is said by the white Americans and failed to see themselves through their own eyes. This is not only evident of the African Americans but also the Africans in Africa which is as a result of a colonized slavery mentality that no matter the environment the veil will still remain. Du Bois further adds that the black man’s crying, “Liberty, Freedom, Opportunity” will remain a pestilence of self doubt. This is the same case of equality of the sexes. That for a long time women folk have looked at themselves through the eyes of men and many have dared not see themselves through their own eyes. Therefore the inferiority complex still has a toll on most of the females no matter the freedom, opportunities given unto them. They remain plagued with self doubt. The veil of the strength of a man remains a hindrance to women despite the emancipation (Wehnert, 2010).  Ableism and its challenge on our perceptions Ableism refers to a form of discrimination against people with disabilities. Many at times the needs of the challenged are ignored. Alienation becomes self- obliteration when it prevents the disabled from “knowing their real selves, real needs and real capabilities” (Charlton, 1998, p.27). The language and word choice to be used on this community is quite sensitive and often no care is taken. The language one uses defines who we are and the implication of it on the disabled. Wrong use of language on these people may imply that they are incompetent or their cognitive abilities aren’t right. Therefore caution ought to be taken to avoid wrong perception of the diction in use. The societal perception of the abilities of the challenged community determines how long the disabled individual lives. This is irrespective of the care and treatment from the specialist. Therefore the perception of surrounding is a significant determinant of life or death (Rocco, 2011).  In conclusion, equality of both sexes and gender irrespective of the abilities ought to be observed and reviewed not only by the feminists but all. What other people say and perceive about others has great impact on their lives however what is of significance is what one says about oneself as Du Bois reiterates on the idea of double consciousness. We should hence strive to unveil the past and set a reformed path towards a new dawn of equality. . Works Cited Jaquette, J. S., & Summerfield, G. Women and gender equity in development theory and practice: Institutions, resources, and mobilization. Durham U.A: Duke Univ. Press. (2007).  King, T. A. The gendering of men, 1600-1750: Vol. 2. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsin Press (2008).  Murray, J. S., & Harris, S. M. Selected writings of Judith Sargent Murray. New York: Oxford University Press (1995).  Rocco, T. S. Challenging Ableism, Understanding Disability, Including Adults with Disabilities in Workplaces and Learning Spaces: New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, Number 132. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons (2011).  Wehnert, K.. Passing: An exploration of African-Americans on their journey for an identity along the colour line. Hamburg: Diplomica-Verl (2010). Read More