A BLACK FEMINIST ANALYSIS OF THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND VICTIMISED WOMEN IN RUKHSANA AHMAD’S PLAY, SONG FOR A SANCTUARY

Abstract

Written by Rukhsana Ahmad and produced as a play of Asian Women Writers’ Workshop, Song for a Sanctuary (1993) is a theatre play displaying the state of women as victims of domestic violence in search of refuge to protect themselves from the wrath and abuse of their husbands, partners or fathers. Striving to raise consciousness among women for a common cause, Ahmad simultaneously reflects on the class-based and racial conflicts alongside struggles among women as they are fighting against the oppressive patriarchal system. It is quite significant that the play not only exhibits women-men struggle but also points out the problems women experience with other women. Hence, this paper aims to dissect Rukhsana Ahmad’s play, Song for a Sanctuary by especially paying attention to the issue of domestic violence and the state of women refugees and other women characters in the play through the lens of the Black feminist theory.

Keywords

• Rukhsana Ahmad,domestic violence,black feminism,racism

RUKHSANA AHMAD’İN SONG FOR A SANCTUARY OYUNUNDA AİLE İÇİ ŞİDDET VE MAĞDUR KADINLAR KONUSUNUN SİYAH FEMİNİST BAKIŞ AÇISINDAN İNCELENMESİ

Abstract

Rukhsana Ahmad tarafından yazılıp, Asian Women Writers’ Workshop tarafından üretilen Song for a Sanctuary (Bir Sığınak için Ağıt) (1993), eşleri, partnerleri veya babalarının öfkesinden kendilerini korumak için sığınacak yer arayışında olan aile içi şiddet mağduru kadınların durumunu gözler önüne seren bir tiyatro oyunudur. Kadınları ortak bir amaç uğruna bilinçlendirme gayretinde olan Ahmad, aynı zamanda baskıcı erkek egemen sisteme karşı savaşırken kendi aralarında da sosyal sınıf ve etniksel sebeplerle fikir ayrılığı yaşayan ve mücadeleye girişen kadınları yansıtmaktadır. Oyunun sadece kadın-erkek mücadelesini değil, ayrıca kadınların diğer kadınlarla deneyimlediği sorunları aktarması oldukça önemlidir. Böylelikle bu çalışma, Rukhsana Ahmad’in Song for a Sanctuary oyununu, özellikle aile içi şiddet konusunu, kadın mültecilerin durumunu ve oyundaki diğer kadın karakterleri siyah feminist teori objektifinden ele alarak incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır.

Keywords

• Rukhsana Ahmad,aile içi şiddet,siyah feminizm,ırkçılık

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