å Tuesday, March 14th, 2017

While I read Chapter 1 of Caliban and the Witch by Siliva Frederici , her argument of the degradation and accumulation of women was so strong. As I read this story, I began to only picture the suffering, humiliation and women’s mental status during this time.  Frederici points out the witch hunts during the 16th and 17th centuries were her main focus on accumulation of women. It was an important way to keep women under the power of men. The out casting of women was a norm to control them and to continue the process in Europe and the New World. Many women suffered a great deal. Frederici explains that the Christian Church to some extent had control on women’s sexual and reproductive rights. The social power during this time was on a global crisis. Many people died during this time due to disease that nearly wipe out the population. This is when women were highly needed for the reproduction of children to continue labor force.
Also, women were out proportion of their rights (sex and reproduction) by the church and the state.   Prostitution and rape was institutionalize and the decriminalization of rape was introduced. In many cities brothels were legalized, making it a greater means for women to survive was by prostitution.  Many outrageous laws were implanted to keep women in control and full of fear. That is where “witch-hunting”, “burning”, “torturing” and severe punishment were used against women.  Women would use contraceptive or abortion were sentences to death.
The power difference between men and women have changed but are still highly noticeable. Capitalism was emplaced as to control any rebellion. It was a way in getting out women who were against the new capitalism during this time.  Made by man a natural inferiority issue. Men continue to maintain their power using capital by devaluing women’s work and instead disciplining women. As I continue in this class and learn about women’s rights. I am very proud of what all women have accomplished over the centuries. Women still struggle every day to have equal rights.  I guess teaching others what I learn and also using my knowledge in my daily life task will help and continue to make a difference.  Change does not happen overnight. It takes time and patience.