taz.de
Berlin Women Reclaim Walpurgis Night, Linking Historical Witch Hunts to Modern Violence
Thousands of women in Berlin will march on April 30th for Take Back the Night, reclaiming Walpurgis Night and connecting historical witch hunts to contemporary violence against women stemming from patriarchal fear of female resistance.
- How does the article illustrate the ongoing control of women's bodies within a capitalist framework, and what are the historical precedents for this control?
- The article connects the historical persecution of witches with contemporary violence against women, arguing that both stem from patriarchal fear of female resistance. The persecution of independent women during the transition from feudalism to capitalism is paralleled by modern discrimination against economically independent women and those challenging traditional gender roles.
- What is the core connection between the historical persecution of witches and contemporary violence against women, and what are the immediate implications of this connection?
- We are the daughters of the witches you couldn't burn." Under this battle cry, thousands of women took to the streets last year in Berlin for a Take Back the Night demonstration. This year's demonstration on April 30th reclaims Walpurgis Night, a time for witches to unite, be visible, and celebrate.
- What are the long-term implications of the lack of solidarity within the feminist movement concerning global issues of violence against women, and what strategies are suggested to combat this?
- The article predicts a continued antifeminist backlash fueled by global crises and a rightward political shift. It highlights the ongoing control of women's bodies, evident in restrictive abortion laws and the economic valuation of beauty standards. The lack of solidarity within the feminist movement regarding violence against women in other parts of the world is also criticized.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing heavily emphasizes the parallels between historical witch hunts and contemporary forms of misogyny and violence against women. This is achieved through the use of strong metaphorical language and the structuring of the narrative to highlight the similarities. While this connection is valid and important, the framing could be seen as overly dramatic and might overshadow the need for a more nuanced discussion of the specific challenges faced by women today. The headline itself, referencing witches who couldn't be burned, sets a confrontational tone.
Language Bias
The article employs strong, emotionally charged language such as "wütende Flinta*" (angry Flinta*), "Gierig und promiskuitiv, pervers und queer" (greedy and promiscuous, perverse and queer), and "vernichtend" (destructive) to convey its message. While this language is effective in emphasizing the seriousness of the issue, it also contributes to a less neutral tone. The use of terms like "Hexenverfolgung" (witch hunt) and "Femizid" (femicide) without further explanation might be problematic for readers unfamiliar with these terms. More neutral and less charged alternatives should be considered to enhance clarity and tone.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the historical connection between witch hunts and modern-day misogyny in Western contexts, particularly in Germany. However, it omits discussion of the ongoing persecution of women labeled as witches in various parts of Africa and Asia, mentioning it only briefly at the end. This omission significantly limits the scope of the analysis and could mislead readers into believing that the issue is primarily a Western concern. The article also doesn't discuss potential nuances or differing interpretations of witch hunts across different cultures and time periods.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic eitheor framing by directly equating historical witch hunts with contemporary misogyny. While there are clear parallels, the article doesn't fully explore the complexities and differences between the two phenomena. The historical context is used to support a modern narrative, but the complexities of historical witch hunts are not fully discussed, limiting the depth of analysis. For instance, while the article mentions economic factors in the witch hunts, it does not fully unpack the social, religious, and other political factors that fueled these events.
Gender Bias
The article uses gender-inclusive language (*Flinta*) throughout, demonstrating an effort towards inclusivity. However, the overwhelming focus on the experiences of women, while relevant to the topic, might inadvertently marginalize the experiences of other genders facing violence and discrimination. The article also tends to use generalizations about women and men, which could be seen as reinforcing gender stereotypes even while challenging others.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article details the ongoing violence against women, including femicide, and connects it to historical events such as the witch hunts. It highlights the continued patriarchal structures that perpetuate this violence and discrimination. The article also discusses the economic disadvantages faced by women, such as the gender pay gap and devaluation of care work, which directly relates to gender inequality. The appropriation of the term "witch" as a symbol of resistance against patriarchal oppression is also discussed.