Segregated Quote by Gloria Steinem
““living in India had made me aware of how segregated my own country was. But only Mrs. Greene made me understand the parallels between race and caste—and how women’s bodies were used to perpetuate both. Different prisons. Same key.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Gloria Steinem on caste and gender, 1995
She observes that caste and race function as parallel systems of oppression, with women’s bodies central to both, creating similar constraints across societies.
In simple terms: Caste and race are similar oppressions using women’s bodies.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge intersecting oppressions.
Themes
intersectionality
oppression
gender
race
caste
Mood
reflective
urgent
Type
analytical
activist
When to use this quote
- activism
- policy reform
- education
- community organizing
Key Concepts
social hierarchy
body politics
colonial legacy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do caste and race intersect in your community?
- What can be done to dismantle bodily oppression?
A Different Perspective
Intersectionality can be abstract, making concrete action difficult.
