Exploring Race, Slavery Through the Lens of Gender

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Author: Cordelia Kenney|

Professor Sharla Fett, chair of the history department, kicked off the Center for Gender Equity’s third annual Feminist Faculty Series on Sept. 21 with her talk entitled “You Just Had to Depend on Yourself: Self-Reliance and the Healing Work of Enslaved Women.” Based on previous research, Fett’s talk explored the relationship between race, age and gender in the context of 19th century slavery and healing work done by older enslaved women. Through a thorough discussion of these complex power dynamics, Fett related their lasting impressions in terms of modern problems in the health care hierarchy.

Fett emphasized the importance of recognizing the meaning of the work and skill of these women. Historical literature and contemporary discussions, however, often mute the relationship between servitude and authority, which has warped the perceived value of their work.

“There was a dependence on [enslaved women’s doctoring] skill yet a devaluing of it,” Fett said in her talk. “The health-based self-reliance was overshadowed because enslaved people are portrayed as being dependent on slave owners.” As a result of the labor systems on the plantation, the “doctress” title given to older enslaved women did not immediately bestow upon them the merit of authority, yet plantation owners relied heavily on their traditional cures and depth of skill and knowledge.

In an interview, Fett expanded on this point, adding that personal bias often plays a role in suppressing the actual value of the healing work of these women. “The midwife tradition has deep knowledge behind it, yet different forms of different medical knowledge are acknowledged according to the race, class and gender of the practitioner and the culture of healing that it’s coming out of,” she said.

Similarities can be found between enslaved women’s medical work and the care work that is done today. “I’m not sure there’s that much advance in recognizing the real people who are doing the actual work,” Fett said. “People who are home health aides or working in rehabilitation centers or homes for the elderly—these places are filled with low-wage earners who are often women of color or immigrants. All these things involve work that is not recognized by pay or by status.”

Even today, healing work is still categorized as women’s domestic labor, alongside cleaning and cooking. Although the skill and knowledge inherent in domestic healing work have not always been recognized in the past, recent scholarly works, including Fett’s, hope to shed light on its importance and significance. “We’re changing the interpretive frameworks for what that work was,” Fett said.

The series, moreover, provides the opportunity for students, faculty and staff to participate in an informal discussion about issues related to gender. “It’s a great way to have a conversation about scholarship outside of the classroom and outside a certain major or department,” Fett said.

The CGE strives to incorporate as many different backgrounds and perspectives as well. “Each month we invite a member of faculty or staff to speak on any topic regarding gender or sexuality that interests the professor,” Estrella Lucera (sophomore), the CGE Programming Assistant, said. “We also try to arrange speakers from a variety of departments and disciplines.”

The series attempts to open up a dialogue, according to Lucero. “Feminism—and by extension the Fem Fac—is a concept that explores and discusses gender oppression that is not restricted only to women’s issues,” Lucero said. “The topic is titled Feminist Faculty Series because we ask professors to speak on any topic regarding gender, [whether] male or female or anything else, sexuality or identity.”

Previous speakers include Professor Keith Naylor from Religious Studies, Professor Leila Neti from English and Comparative Literature Studies and Professor Linda Besemer from Art History and Visual Arts.

Professor Upson-Saia of the Religious Studies Department and Reverend Susan Young are expected to give talks in October and November.

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