Janet Chafetz accurately critiques classical sociological theory through the use of the feminist theory and a gendered perspective. Chafetz believes that, “traditional theories have resulted from the masculine blinders their authors have worn” (p. 117). Discussion of the feminist theory is sometimes limited to a chapter or chapter section and Chafetz finds this problematic because it makes feminist theory seem narrow by allowing it to be easily skipped over (p.99). In order to rectify this, the standpoint theory allows for new questions to be raised which in turn offers new interpretations.
The idea of standpoint theory is interesting because we often forget that those who write the books will also tell their version of history. Since the majority of history is recorded by white males, everything will be seen through their lens. If standpoint theory is made of the knower, the known, and the process of knowing then then having multiple viewpoints would be necessary to get an accurate perspective. One way to use standpoint theory is to view different events through multiple perspectives. Clothing stores will occasionally release a controversial design that leaves you scratching your head wondering what the executives were thinking. Back in 2001, Abercrombie and Fitch released a design with Asian caricatures standing in front of a dry cleaner with the slogan, “Two Wong’s can make it white.” More recently and not quite as blunt, Gap released a t-shirt with the words manifest destiny printed across the front. The Gap Corporation was left scrambling because they had to pull the t-shirts off of the shelf due to protesting from consumers.
What’s so wrong about printing the words manifest destiny across a shirt and trying to sell it as artistic design? Well, the artist stated that his interpretation of manifest destiny was similar to seizing your opportunities and going for your goals. What he failed to realize was the standpoint of many other Americans who were taken advantage of behind the claims of manifest destiny. How could a blunder like that make it all the way to store shelves without having anyone question the design? Because if anyone had taken a moment to try and view it from another perspective they would quickly see that manifest destiny was the justification that white men used to authorize the expansion and seizing of land in the Americas. That must mean from their perspective, they really did not have an issue with the words manifest destiny printed in giant font across their t-shirts. This is just one example that clearly shows us how we often overlook perspectives other than our own. If we can miss simple things like an inappropriate message on a t-shirt, what other issues are we overlooking? This reiterates the fact that standpoint theory is necessary and that classical theories should be reviewed through a feminist standpoint as well as other standpoints to rectify unjust views and theory. Standpoint theory is no without its flaws. There will be no consensus over what theory is appropriate or inappropriate.
The idea of standpoint theory is interesting because we often forget that those who write the books will also tell their version of history. Since the majority of history is recorded by white males, everything will be seen through their lens. If standpoint theory is made of the knower, the known, and the process of knowing then then having multiple viewpoints would be necessary to get an accurate perspective. One way to use standpoint theory is to view different events through multiple perspectives. Clothing stores will occasionally release a controversial design that leaves you scratching your head wondering what the executives were thinking. Back in 2001, Abercrombie and Fitch released a design with Asian caricatures standing in front of a dry cleaner with the slogan, “Two Wong’s can make it white.” More recently and not quite as blunt, Gap released a t-shirt with the words manifest destiny printed across the front. The Gap Corporation was left scrambling because they had to pull the t-shirts off of the shelf due to protesting from consumers.
What’s so wrong about printing the words manifest destiny across a shirt and trying to sell it as artistic design? Well, the artist stated that his interpretation of manifest destiny was similar to seizing your opportunities and going for your goals. What he failed to realize was the standpoint of many other Americans who were taken advantage of behind the claims of manifest destiny. How could a blunder like that make it all the way to store shelves without having anyone question the design? Because if anyone had taken a moment to try and view it from another perspective they would quickly see that manifest destiny was the justification that white men used to authorize the expansion and seizing of land in the Americas. That must mean from their perspective, they really did not have an issue with the words manifest destiny printed in giant font across their t-shirts. This is just one example that clearly shows us how we often overlook perspectives other than our own. If we can miss simple things like an inappropriate message on a t-shirt, what other issues are we overlooking? This reiterates the fact that standpoint theory is necessary and that classical theories should be reviewed through a feminist standpoint as well as other standpoints to rectify unjust views and theory. Standpoint theory is no without its flaws. There will be no consensus over what theory is appropriate or inappropriate.