Journal Posting #6. Give In or Stand Out

It seems today that women are perceived in equal power, respect, authority, and confidence that men are seen. This gender equality is so common and so typical in our generation's lifetime, it seems unthinkable to imagine a life of despair, struggle, and state of insignificance for women. In both stories, Jacobs and Child emphasize the enduring strength and commitment that particular women held during such demeaning times. Linda, in "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl," proves just how strong women are as she fights for her freedom and change, rather than submitting to endless abuse in slavery. Typically, women during slavery had no value, except to clean, work, and provide more slaves. Rape, as threatened to Linda in the story, seemed common and normal during those hardships. However, in today's time, sexual abuse is taken seriously and with the upmost punishment. Being discriminated and looked down upon as "sexual lust" rather than a worthy and valuable human being was emphasized in Jacob's story. Linda depicts a utopian desire in which "there is something akin to freedom in having a lover who has no control over you, except that which he gains by kindness and attachment," not the forced marriages, sexual abuse, and feeling of "property" that many women felt during slavery(p. 777). Freedom of not only self, but of choices of whom to love and be loved by is taken for granted in today's society. Linda was threatened after Dr. Flint discovered her love for a freed black man. Contrary to those times, today my parents embrace the idea of my independence, ability to choose a respectable man for myself, and the acceptance I hope they grant to my future husband. Trying to compare Linda's experiences to mine seems hardly incomparable in any circumstances. Similar to Jacob's story, Child's "The Quadroons" also depicts the courageous spirit of a young woman, attempting to make a change for herself. What both characters overcame were tremendous and courageous acts, even for today's time. Having that will power, admiration, and strength to fight for such beliefs from women seems like a common occurrence throughout our recent class lectures. Women have the ability to attain such strengths, though I feel it takes a certain independent and courageous type of female to resist society's norms and stand out. On a personal note, I feel Linda can be related to today's Lady Gaga; fierce and defiant with integrity, these two characters have firm beliefs and are willing to go against typical stereotypes to make a change.