Week Six Blog
Gunn-Allen describes her position (and other American-Indian women) as being in a “bicultural bind� where she is situated between the culture of her Native tribe and Western culture. She describes these cultural positions as being in opposition of one another and that it usually creates an uneasy tension in which she must negotiate her identity and not fall victim to destructive ways. She is in the position of a colonized indigenous woman in America who was raised Catholic. Gunn-Allen discusses that this position forces her to recognize her Indian self and to pass on her understanding of her position to other Indian and non-Indian women. Through the oral traditions of indigenous peoples, Gunn-Allen sees a potential for the voices of American Indian women to grow and emanate, thus carrying social change and understanding.
Audre Lorde, on the other hand, comes from a different position as a black, lesbian woman. She discusses these interlocking identities as "intersectional" and connected, allowing for a unique understanding of difference. Lorde discusses that we can use difference in a way that enlightens one another about our unique standpoints. Learning through difference can eliminate ignorance and question the predominate power that denies and privileges certain groups. She wants to eliminate the dualistic approach to power.
When comparing and contrasting these pieces, it is easy to see there is definitely points of difference and they are two women speaking from different positionalities. However, they have in common some similar characteristics such as there colonized histories, in respect to Anglo-American oppressors. In addition, I think they both call for their people to speak up and discuss issues that have left them powerless or oppressed. They want to speak not only to their own social circles but those that have denied them power. They want to encourage social change through words, literature, stories, etc.