The Symbol of Power Power can be defined as the ability to do something in a particular way with great quality. When thinking of power, there are things that symbolize this overall idea, such as characteristics, attributes, and achievements. Being able to overcome challenging situations and thrive within them is a symbol of power. In the two short stories titled “Growing my Hair Again" by Chika Unigwe, as well as “Leng Lui Is for Pretty Lady” by Elaine Chiew, the women Nneka and Alina symbolize power. These two women were both well-educated, beautiful modern women that were placed in the position of caregivers and oppressed by dominant females. However, being treated unequally and unappreciated as they were, these women used their knowledge …show more content…
Having the ability to control others allowed these oppressors to experience power within themselves. Nneka and Alina being subjected to abuse eventually structured their overall character development. Both women were the full package, in return this caused other females’ insecurities and jealousy to conspire against these women. In the story “Growing My Hair Again” portrayed multiple concepts, including freedom, independence, as well as power. Nneka’s hair was something that could not be controlled, symbolizing the freedom her hair portrayed. Having shaven hair, Nneka felt she was still being controlled by her husband and mother-in-law. However, Nneka regrowing her hair symbolized the new independence in her life. In the story “Leng Lui Is for Pretty Lady” also portrayed multiple concepts, being independence, as well as power. Alina overcoming abuse and becoming the glue for the family, helped her achieve a new life for herself, no longer being subjected to the abuse she once faced. Alina was needed by the Kong family to maintain a stable family, being this glue for the family symbolized the power that Alina had even over her oppressors. Nneka and Alina are both women who symbolize power. Both women used their difficult lifestyles and circumstances to escape the oppression they constantly faced. Having to withstand this turmoil paved a way for Nneka and Alina to blossom and grow as empowered women. Although these stories provided different content within them, they both symbolized the key factor overall being power. Power was used to control and manipulate these women and overall belittle them. Although this was the case, both women used their brains, capabilities, and willpower to turn the tables of their oppressors. This factor made these women a symbol of
She utilized the power of storytelling to convey her message of equality and justice. In her famous
They both committed acts of bravery by fighting in the war, and they also fired the cannons after their husbands got injured in the battlefield. The reason I picked these two women to do my research paper on, was because I felt that they played a very important role in the American Revolution. Sometimes the things that women do or the acts of bravery that they commit get overlooked. I want to learn more about these women and how they were so brave. They risked their lives to either take water to the soldiers or to take over firing a cannon.
Nnaemeka’s actions in marrying outside the ethnicity are revolutionary because he is causing a dramatic change in what was believed to be right by Nnaemeka’s people. Revolutionary means to act in a way beyond traditional principles. Therefore, Nnaemeka is exhibiting a breaking of tradition. The society Nnaemeka grew up in expects their young to grow into
Most if not all women have been treated differently because they are not men. While some instances are more dramatic than others it still happens. Even though things of this sort are getting much better it still happens. In Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, Curley and all of the guys who work on the farm treat Curley’s wife like she isn’t even a person. By the treatment of Curley’s wife and and the narrator Munro in “Boys and Girls” the writers suggest that women are often mistreated only because of something they can’t even control.
Both movements had a majority of female leaders and supporters and were primarily focused on protesting against the discrimination of women. Also, these movements, just like many others, had reformers
Both of these extraordinary women barley came from anything but made it their business to cause change for generations to come. A black woman’s come up is a true lesson for others. Just as our mothers tried their hardest to prevent us from making the same mistakes, activism follows those same principles all while incorporating the lessons learned from the struggles as a community.
Now just imagine if these strong woman wouldn’t have stood up for what they believed for and worked till they succeeded. The United States would be a very different place
In the movie “Hidden Figures,” there are three women that are wrongfully judged because of their skin color, and because they are women. They had two things against them. These women are Katherine Johnson, an intelligent woman that skipped a few grades when she was younger, Dorothy Vaughan, who was once a math teacher, and Mary Jackson, who was one of the nerve centers for World War II. These women made a huge impact on women's rights. They proved the white men wrong, and contributed to one of the most important days in history. But they did have to face some challenges before they became successful.
Naemeka – young Nigerian man from the Igbo tribe who has moved to the city of Lagos and has fallen in love with Nene. He realizes that his father will not approve of his marriage but he goes ahead and marries the woman he loves.
As a result of being treated this way, women would have fewer opportunities to advance in their career, which were not often in manufacturing or agriculture for men or women.
Curly hair enthusiast, Tyla Gilmore, who was featured in essence magazine, talks about the term "good hair" and more
There were many women, but they looked on from the fringe like outsiders" (Achebe 87). With the festivals, held in the public places, men presided and took the seats of honor in front. Women were forced to stand at the edges and look on from there because they simply weren't as important. It was the men who held the courts of justice and decided on punishment. Also, throughout the book, Achebe emphasizes the women's role in childbearing and their fault if the children are not born healthy. "Nneka has had four previous pregnancies and childbirths. But each time she had borne twins, and they had been immediately thrown away. Her husband and his family were already becoming highly critical of such a woman and were not unduly perturbed when they found she had fled to join the Christians. It was a good riddance" (Achebe 151). Because Nneka could no longer fulfill her role as a mother in Ibo society, she was no longer respected. She was not valued for her intelligence or her personality. She was valued by whether or not she could produce healthy children. Because she couldn't, she no longer had a place in her society.
We may not have ever met face to face, but I know something special about you. You want to shine from the inside out, develop a stronger understanding of how your hair works, and accentuate your own personal authentic, natural beauty. Ultimately, you’re interested in achieving a fuller, healthier mane. I applaud you for taking this step on a fantastic journey of self-discovery!
However, these women should be able to decide what they want to do with their bodies and their lives. In “Growing My Hair Again” and “Kelemo’s Woman,” it is evident that Nneka and Iriola
They showed that women, too, could become political. Women from Rosa Parks to Coretta Scott King made political protest seem necessary and encouraged many women all over America, regardless of race and ethnic background, to speak up for their rights.