Havlyn Ehrich- Iron Jawed Angels



This film was very intriguing. Not only did it showcase the overall difficulties of women fighting for their rights, but it also showed the interplay between women. The women in this film unite to create  one power to fight. During the process, however, they seem to also show the internal divisions that they have between themselves. Multiple examples seem to come about in the film portraying this divisive hostility, to varying degrees. One example can be seen when the women were gathering for their march, but a black woman confronts them about their mistake to put her and her peers in the back of the line. Politically speaking, the women did not feel it was best to have them elsewhere. The woman of color disagreed and a hostile environment was created. Despite this, later on we see that she eventually ends up joining the parade regardless. Another example can be seen in the court scene discussing the budget. The two council women have always seemed to have it out for Alice and her suffrage ideas. These women shoot down progressive thoughts and ideas and threaten Alice. Out of anger and disbelief, a new party is started that vows to let all women have parity in the group. Just these two examples alone show that these women are not truly united, which is an interesting concept to grasp. One would believe that these women would unite to fight for a common goal. They say that men should no longer have such control over them and that they are willing to fight for their rights. Interestingly, they still seem to show some apprehension in their journey. Placing black women in the back out of politics or pleasing male presidents and senators in order to advance in their fight may be a smart and helpful decision. Nevertheless, they are still giving men power over them and submitting themselves to some degree. It was probably very practical for the things they did (I mean, look at where we are today), but I found it interesting that even in the midst of fighting for separation from dominating male power, they had to give into it to some degree. 



Comments

  1. Catherine BolzendahlFebruary 5, 2023 at 3:31 PM

    I enjoyed reading your analysis of the divisions and racism inherent in this movement for votes. The image was a nice choice to highlight your points as well. How might you extend this to thinking about the current day? What racial patterns do we see in current women's voting?

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