When the tale of Cinderella comes to mind, one’s last thought would be the invert idea of women’s oppression among their fellow sisters. A child would usually perceive Cinderella’s story as a fairytale come true. Few would take heed to the fact that Cinderella is in fact, oppressed not because of her society or by forces of nature but specifically because of the woman in her life: her stepmother and two stepsisters. In Tony Morrison’s essay, “Cinderella’s Stepsisters,” she is urging women not to participate in the practice of women oppressing one another.

Throughout her essay, Morrison conveys serious examples of women oppressing their fellow sisters. This oppression, as she describes, is seen through but history as well as in a variety of violence forms: professional violence, competitive violence and emotional violence. A great example Morrison gives of this specific kindred oppression is when women stop the promotion of other women in careers. What is so oppressed in the work field, It is general knowledge that women receive lesser salaries which in my opinion, has yet to be justified. Though Morrison’s essay, one becomes enlighten to the realization that women have now become oppressed through a double standard; they have now become oppressed by men as well as by women.

The strength of Morrison’s essay is seen when she pleads with her audience not to participate in such a horrible act. Women by not succumbing to the temptations of physically harming one another and even to refrain from slandering each other. It is only when this violence ceases those women will be able to separate from oppressing one another.

Unfortunately, we continue to see these forms of oppression in present day society. In the news, we constantly hear of mothers beating their daughters. On an even simple note, oppression of women between one another is seen when they slander one another and there are some other women who put themselves in the center. Also, the only thing that matters to them is what someone can do better than their life. Women should not fall into this kind of mentality of only wanting themselves and benefits of those around them.

It is only through hope and understanding that women will be able to overcome this oppression of one another. Women should be heard their voices, to have space, to be able to go to their functions to one another. Hopefully, these acts of violence will lessen if not entirely emancipate from the idea of women throughout the world.


Posted at Dec 10/2004 06:04 PM:
Admin: You have some good points here, but you have too many problems with grammar and mechanics, and not enough specific, developed examples.

C