rooted in the second wave like Gloria Anzaldua, bell hooks, Chela Sandoval, Cherrie Moraga, Audre Lorde, Maxine Hong Kingston, and many other feminists
of colour, sought to negotiate a space within feminist thought for consideration of subjects related to race
13
. However, the roots of the third wave began in the mid 1980s. Feminist
leaders rooted in the second wave called for a new subjectivity in feminist voice. They sought to negotiate prominent space within feminist thought for
consideration of race related subjectivities. This focus on the intersection between race and gender remained prominent through the Hill-Thomas hearings, but was
perceived to shift with the Freedom Ride 1992, the first project of the Walker-led Third Wave Direct Action Corporation. Third-wave feminism seeks to challenge
any universal definition of femininity. Third-wave feminism deals with issues that seem to limit or oppress women, as well as other marginalized identities.
C. Liberal feminism of Betty Friedan
From all concept of feminist ideas, the writer uses feminist theory developed by Betty Friedan in second wave feminism in analyzing The
Magdalene Sisters film. The reason why the writer uses this theory is because it talks about the Liberal Feminism that seeks the right equality in social life,
thought in practice that can mean parity at various levels with men. Beside that, the condition in that film also appropriate with the condition of Ireland
women in 1960s who reflects the inhuman brutality and degradation women suffered as prisoners in one of the many Magdalene “laundries”.
13
http:en.wikipedia.orgwikiThird wave_feminism
. Accessed on November
12,2009
According to the etymology, feminism derives from the word of femme or woman which means a female who struggles for the woman rights as social
class. In general, feminism is women movement to decline everything which is subordinated by the dominant culture; in aspect of social life, economy and
policy. The purpose of this movement is achieving the equality between women and men which is called by women emancipation.
14
Feminist believed in prejudice of the definition of masculinity and femininity which come from the structure of patriarchy because it creates the
dichotomy of working in domestic and in public realm.
15
Sexual discrimination shapes the inequality of women so that they cannot develop
their abilities and their rationalities. Because of that case, it utters the thought of liberal feminism. Pandangan dasar dari kamu feminis liberal ialah bahwa
setiap laki-laki ataupun perempuan mempunyai hak mengembangkan kemampuan dan rasionalitasnya secara optimal.
16
Hence, liberal feminism considers that the culture of patriarchy must be shattered by changing of
women’s attitudes in their relationships with men in order to form the equality.
17
Liberal feminism has two waves of movements. In the second wave, liberal it concentrates on the Civil Right Act which explains the autonomy of
women; the right of economy, social, education and self determination
14
Nyoman Kutha Ratna, Teori, Metode, dan Teknik Penelitian Sastra Cetakan II Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar, 2006, p. 184.
15
Ratna Saptari dan Brigitte Holzner, Perempuan Kerja dan Perubahan Sosial Jakarta: Pustaka Utama Grafitti, 1997, p.184.
16
Ibid. 49-50
17
Fadilah Suralaga dkk. ., Pengantar Kajian Gender Jakarta: Pusat Studi Wanita UIN Syarif Hidayatullah, 2003,p. 97.
intellectually. The prominent figure in that era was Betty friedan who opposed sexual discrimination in every aspect. She believed that women or married
women can achieve the real liberation and equality if the society regarded the characteristic of femininity and masculinity.
18
According to Friedan, women were human being who has Civil Right Act such as the right of choose, free speech, and free will to be different.
19
Friedan believed in treating women and men equally could achieve the real equality
for both of them. The movement of feminism was also the idea that the equality of woman was necessary to free both man and woman for true
fulfillment for the degradation of woman also degraded married, love, all relations between man and woman.
20
D. The Concept of Oppression
