Argues that feminism is a struggle to end patriarchal oppression and the ideology of domination, and that the position of the underrepresented is by class and race as well as gender.
"Women in lower class and poor groups, particularly those who are non-white, would not have defined women's liberation as women gaining social equality with men since they are continually reminded in their everyday lives that all women do not share a common social status.”
How is “patriarchal oppression and the ideology of domination” evident in “Humans”?
Write 3 paragraphs which express your ideas.
- Creation of sentient synths by male David Elster – initially to replace his wife
- Laura is “replaced” by a synth (domestically, maternally and eventually sexually) because she is struggling to manage home/work effectively and is seen as imperfect by her family. The decision is taken unilaterally by husband Joe who is impressed by the perfect, beautiful, domestic Anita (initially created as a babysitter and reaffirming the notion of woman as nurturer)
- The salesman is male – selling a woman - as are the corporate figures who dictate their use
- The majority of the ethnic actors are synths (“servants”) emphasizing Stuart Hall’s notion of the black “slave” stereotype. This is particularly apt when looking at Anita in the home and Fred when fruit picking (overtones of cotton-picking slaves). They are referred to as “just freaks”, emphasizing their “otherness”. Anita conforms to the racial stereotypes identified by Alvarado of “sexualized” and “exotic”.
- The attitudes of the males, particularly towards Niska in the brothel – “using” women who are clearly not equal.
- The physio synth Simon is a hypermasculine (Zaitchik & Mosher) stereotype – and replaces Pete Drummond in Jill’s affections.
- Patrick Smith’s Telegraph interview with Gemma Chan – “She thinks Humans should be congratulated for the way it has tried to promote female representation and diversity – even if almost all of the non-white actors on the show play synths.”
