One common term for women belonging to racial minorities, “women of color,” is an example of this. Some argue this term blurs distinctions of privilege within the diversity of groups it claims to describe. For example, the writer Jhumpa Lahiri, whose Indian-born parents were professionals in Rhode Island, did not experience the same kind of discrimination as author Sandra Cisneros, a Chicana who grew up in working-class Chicago. Should they be grouped together as women of color?
The author compares novelists Sandra Cisneros and Jhumpa Lahiri. Why?
A) as an example of why people argue about which groups the term “women of color” includes
B) as a reminder that what divides women is less powerful than the shared concerns that unite them
C) as a way of showing that racism and gender discrimination do not impact women of today
D) as evidence that women of color have historically not been given the respect they deserve
The correct answer is A) as an example of why people argue about which groups the term “women of color” includes.
Explanation: The author compares Sandra Cisneros and Jhumpa Lahiri to illustrate the differing experiences of discrimination among women of color. The contrast highlights that while they may be grouped under the same term, their individual backgrounds and experiences differ significantly, leading to debates about how the term “women of color” encompasses a diversity of experiences and privileges.
The correct answer is A) as an example of why people argue about which groups the term “women of color” includes.
The author uses the comparison between Sandra Cisneros and Jhumpa Lahiri to illustrate the complexities and nuances of the term “women of color,” highlighting that individuals within this group can have vastly different experiences and levels of privilege. This contrast prompts discussions about who should be included under this umbrella term and why it’s important to acknowledge these distinctions.