Nov 23, 2005 10:44
“You’re black, you’re poor, you’re a woman, and you’re ugly!”
I believe that this very powerful and offensive statement is a straight forward blunt way to express types of abuse black woman as well as all woman suffered during times of segregation. This statement is a way for men to gain power, when they seem to feel helpless. All this statement is, is a manipulative way to bring and keep woman down so that men can regain and still feel in control. A lot of woman today are still verbally abused, criticized, and controlled just as Celie was in The Color Purple. Though in the color purple Celie made a stand that most woman don’t have the courage to do due to fear of being physically abused. This stand that she made in the movie shows woman when the perfect time to stand up for yourself is, not in a room alone with the man, but in a room full of family and friends. Have a escape route for afterwards so you have no time alone with him after you have spoken your mind. I think one of Celie’s best lines from the movie and the book was, “I’m poor, black and may even be ugly, but, dear God, I’m here.” This line shows that no matter what anyone says to her she’s smart enough to not let it effect her and let herself be aware of the fact that she was created with earth just like everyone else way it doesn’t matter your color, your wealth, or what you look like you are still here for a reason and thus you need to live it up no matter what anyone says. Many woman today are still letting men trample all over them usually men who do this spot out venerable good hearted trusting woman who they feel are easiest to control and start breaking them down little by little. The effects from this kind of abuse are usually thoughts of self blame “This is all my fault I deserve this”, low self of steam, mild to extreme depression, sometimes shame prevails… There are a lot of different effects physical and verbal abuse can produce but possibly the worst could be a feeling of hopelessness for ever being able to live freely again, a feeling that you are stuck and are not going to get out of that position until someone dies. Abuse is a very strong subject that everyone including men should be aware of. Though today the more and more woman are becoming aware of their equal opportunities, just as Shug showed and inspired Celie about and Celie found her opportunity for freedom in making and selling pants to people of all ages, sexes, shapes, and sizes. Abuse isn’t quite as it was back when not only woman but especially black woman were still segregated throughout our nation. Through feminist movements and shelters this is telling woman to always stick together cause some men, mostly men who where abused as children by men will carry on that behavior to their girlfriend, wife, and even kids. The feminist movement is very powerful even today, they are a strong group of woman that know how they should be treated and are always there to back up any woman who needs reassurance of her wit and beauity.