Thesis (M.A. in Theological Studies)--Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, 2003. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [103]-111).

Thesis (D.Phil (Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Includes abstract in English and Afrikaans. Includes bibliographical references.

The alternative food movement is often viewed as a more moral or ethical choice compared to the industrialized food system. Because the horrors of the industrialized food system have entered public knowledge through numerous documentaries and books, consumers are looking for an alternative. Purchasing local, organic, seasonal, and fresh produce is marketed as a solution. This thesis critiques the alternative food movement for its numerous flaws using an ecofeminist lens.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Esta tese tem como objetivo principal fazer dialogar gênero, cultura popular e crime. O fio condutor do trabalho são as técnicas de conflitos e gestão da violência como interações possuidoras de imagens sexuais (STRATHERN, 2006) analisadas nos encontros de força (MACHADO DA SILVA, 2008) entre moradores e traficantes na favela Nova Holanda, Maré - Rio de Janeiro. Resulta de pesquisa sobre o universo de valentia de galeras Funk e a pacificação do Comando Vermelho analisado a partir de relatos e percursos etnográficos que me foram possíveis através da experiência de moradora cria. Argumento que este processo realiza uma expansão discursiva do crime (FELTRAN, 2006) produzindo perturbações físico-morais (DUARTE, 1987) - expressas pela categoria êmica neurose. As performances proibidas Funk revelam diferentes técnicas de si afirmativas, ofensivas e defensivas parte de um espectro ampliado de representações articuladas por uma gramática patriarcal de guerra e paz responsável pela oposição entre mundos masculinos e femininos. Neste contexto normalizador sãoperformados(BUTLER, 2004) o sujeito homem, a amante e a fiel, enquanto personas populares de valentia que reatualizam a histórica mediação entre o malandro e o bandido (MISSE, 1999). Nas situações vividas, o idioma de gênero permite explorar a produção de fronteiras entre o uso da força e a regulação do convívio, indicando nexos variados de como se processam os conflitos, seja por anulação, mediação e/ou explicitação / The main objective of this thesis is opening a dialogue between gender, popular culture, and crime. The rationale guiding this work are techniques of conflict and managing violence used as forms of interaction having sexual images (STRATHERN, 2006) analyzed in displays of force (MACHADO DA SILVA, 2008) among residents and drug traffickers in the Nova Holanda favela, in the Maré community- Rio de Janeiro. The research results on the universe of Funk gangs prowess and the pacification of the Red Command drug group are analyzed using ethnographical accounts and trajectories that I was able to collect because of my experience as a native resident of this favela. I will argue that this process achieves a discursive expansion of crime (FELTRAN, 2006) producing physical and moral disturbances (DUARTE, 1987) - expressed by the emic category neurosis. The prohibited Funk performances reveal distinct techniques among each other - affirmative, offensive, and defensive - part of a widened spectrum of representations articulated by a patriarchal grammar of war and peace responsible for the opposition between masculine and feminine worlds. From this normativizing context the male subject, mistress, and the faithful wife are performed as popular personae of valor that update the historical mediation between the hustler and the bandit (MISSE, 1999). In these situations as they are experienced, the gender idiom permits exploring the production of borderlines between the use of force and the regulation of living together, indicating variable nexuses as to how conflicts are processed, whether by nullifying them, mediation, and/or explication.

Through the life story narratives of Ethiopian women activists, this research explores the journey of Ethiopian women activists during three political and historical periods (1955–1974; 1974–1991; 1991–2015). Thus, the study proposes a new perspective on the forms of Ethiopian women’s activism and subsequently the different types of feminism emerging from their narratives. Through examination of how the activists reflect on, reconstruct and give meaning to their life stories, this research unravels that their activism is informed by feminist principles. It also exposes that it is shaped by a long history of resistance to patriarchy, which enabled women in traditional Ethiopia to negotiate a certain level of “autonomy and liberty”. Contrary to the general expectation, the research demonstrates that the process of modernization (read: westernization) came with its own structure based on western patriarchy, and reinforced local patriarchy. In this new, formalized patriarchy, the rights that women had negotiated through their resistance in earlier times were diminished. This study on women activists, categorized for the purpose of this research as pioneers, revolutionaries and negotiators, suggests that Ethiopian women activists have since adopted different forms of engagement that tend to improve the social, cultural, economic and political conditions of Ethiopian women. Consequently, I argue that, while Ethiopian women’s activism and feminism is firmly embedded in the history of resistance of previous generations of Ethiopian women, the form of activism varies according to the political and historical context in which the activists negotiate and adapt the way they act.

This thesis centers on three children’s novel, “Sex gånger Lucas”, “Min Vän målaren”, and “Den gula väskan”, written by the very appreciated and much awarded Brazilian Author Lygia Bojunga. All three of these novels discuss masculinity in young boys and men. In “Sex gånger Lucas”, the centerpiece of this thesis, the essential conflict in the novel is played out in the interchange between Lucas and his authoritarian father. The father, throughout the text, showcases toxic masculinity and its concurrent traits, such as verbal abuse and serial infidelity. This tyrannical parenting attempts to mold Lucas’ personality to what is deemed in the culture as acceptable masculine behavior. Lucas narrative journey finds him firstly internalizing this belief system, but, as the novel progresses, Lucas learns to accept himself, in all his gendered guises, and reject the father's binary opinions. “Min vän målaren” follows the tale of the sensitive young boy, Claudio, who struggles against an environment that doesn’t support him, in his many and varied attempts towards personhood. In “Den gula väskan” the protagonist Rakel confronts an open and oppressive sexism in society, community and the many dismissals of the family. “Den gula väskan” utilizes, at many junctures of the narrative, a fable structure as a means to discuss political oppression as well as the oppressive binary masculine norms. This Fable sub-tale focuses on the character Alfonso, a talking rooster. Alfonso rejects the expectations put on him as a rooster, but his cousin Skräcken is not as fortunate. The cousin, who it is heavily implied is the victim of masculine brainwashing, is unable to stop himself from fighting, even when it ends up killing him. Throughout these three novels lies an illustration of the downfalls of an oppressive and toxic masculinity (that men must be stoic, aggressive and in control) as well as highlighting the freedom for a more fluid gender expression. Lucas, Claudio and Alfonso give subversive, alternative depictions of masculinity, where it is acceptable to feel, be vulnerable, reject violence, and have healthy relationships built on companionship. This thesis explores how Bojunga's novels, through her characters struggles and triumphs, give the young male identified readers alternative ways to be a man. In other words, these novels liberate the male gender from a binary performance. / Denna avhandling bygger på tre barnromaner, "Sex Times Lucas", "Min Vän målaren" och "Den gula väskan", skriven av den uppskattade och prisbelönta brasilianska författaren Lygia Bojunga. Alla tre av dessa romaner diskuterar maskulinitet I relation till unga pojkar och män. I "Sex Times Lucas", den centrala verket i denna avhandling, är konflikten mellan Lucas och hans auktoritära far det centrala handlingen. Faderns beteende genom hela romanen skildrar en obehaglig uppfatning av maskulinitet, med att psykisk misshandla Lucas and vara ständigt otrogen mot modern. Genom hans tyranniska föräldraskap försöker han att forma Lucas’ personlighet till vad han anser acceptabelt maskulint beteende. Lucas först internaliserar dessa normer, men sen genom romanens växling lär Lucas att acceptera sig själv som han är och avvisar faderns översträngda idéer om manlighet. "Min vän målaren" visar en känslig ung pojke, Claudio, som kämpar mot en miljö som inte stöder honom. Trots detta motstånd försöker han inte förändra sig själv. I "Den gula väskan" diskuterar Rakel öppet sexismen som hon möter. Boken använder också fabel som ett medel för att diskutera politisk förtryck samt strängda genus normer genom Alfonso, en talande tupp. Alfonso går emot vad man förväntar av honom som tupp, men hans kusin Skräcken däremot går med på förväntningarna. Kusinen, som det är starkt underförstått, är offer för hjärntvätt, kan inte stoppa sig från att slåss, och tillslut dör på frund av det. I alla dessa tre romaner ligger en gestaltning av en kritik mot manlighetsnormer (att män får inte visa känslor, vara aggressiva och dominanta) samt framhävda friheten för ett mer flytande könsuttryck. Lucas, Claudio och Alfonso ger subversiva, alternativa skildringar av maskulinitet, där det är acceptabelt att känna, vara sårbar, avvisa sig från våld och ha jämställda relationer byggt på vänskap. Denna avhandling forskar i hur romanen, genom att skildra dessa karaktärer och deras kamp och seger, ger de unga pojk-identifieranda läsare alternativa sätt att vara en man. Med andra ord befriar dessa romaner det manliga könet från en binära normer.

Magister Theologiae - MTh / The aim of this research project was to seek a reinterpretation of the Christian motif of 'bearing one's cross'. This motif has been widely criticized by feminist theologians as an instrument that exacerbates the oppression of women, since it encourages self-sacrifice and in this way legitimizes abusive relationships. The research project focuses on Mary Grey's contribution to feminist discourse on atonement as the work of Christ and, more specifically, the symbol of the cross. In general, the problem, which will be addressed in this research project, is how oppressed women should respond to the call in Christian piety "to bear one's own cross". More specifically, the research problem, which will be investigated in this project, may be formulated in the following way: How should Mary Grey's position on a feminist reinterpretation of the doctrine of atonement and the meaning of the cross of Jesus Christ be assessed within the South African Christian context? The study assesses Mary Grey's views within the context of her own work, a feminist reinterpretation of the doctrine of atonement and the meaning of the cross of Jesus Christ in order to establish whether it is internally coherent

With Second Wave Feminism and the Women’s Rights Movement, 1970’s Americans began to see a shift in gender norms affecting how we relate to one another, particularly within a family structure. Scholars have noted an anxiety permeating the decade over the potential negative ramifications of such a drastic cultural shift. We see these issues of gender politics played out in numerous popular films from the 1970s and into the 1980s. Kubrick’s The Shining, like many horror films of the time, preys upon the societal fear for the family, due to these shifting gender norms, by featuring a crumbling patriarch (Jack), a troubled child (Danny), and mother struggling to hold her family together (Wendy). Upon closer examination The Shining stands out for its progressive narrative which supports leaving behind outdated ideas of masculinity and femininity, in favor of embracing a more open and ambiguous definition. Kubrick uses his characters as figures, representative of broader social and cultural conflicts. His film operates at two levels, the individual (or micro level of the character’s story) and the systemic (or macro, how their story reflects large social issues). In this way he exposes the toxicity of traditional masculinity and its detrimental effects on a family. By killing Jack and allowing Wendy and Danny to escape, The Shining emphasizes the need to progress and reshape our perceptions of gender identity. In my examination of the film I combine film theory with historicism, leaning on the works of cultural history scholars as well as film scholars. My analysis of The Shining expands both our understanding of the film and of its cultural moment, unearthing issues we continue to grapple with as a society today.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Esta tese tem como objetivo principal fazer dialogar gênero, cultura popular e crime. O fio condutor do trabalho são as técnicas de conflitos e gestão da violência como interações possuidoras de imagens sexuais (STRATHERN, 2006) analisadas nos encontros de força (MACHADO DA SILVA, 2008) entre moradores e traficantes na favela Nova Holanda, Maré - Rio de Janeiro. Resulta de pesquisa sobre o universo de valentia de galeras Funk e a pacificação do Comando Vermelho analisado a partir de relatos e percursos etnográficos que me foram possíveis através da experiência de moradora cria. Argumento que este processo realiza uma expansão discursiva do crime (FELTRAN, 2006) produzindo perturbações físico-morais (DUARTE, 1987) - expressas pela categoria êmica neurose. As performances proibidas Funk revelam diferentes técnicas de si afirmativas, ofensivas e defensivas parte de um espectro ampliado de representações articuladas por uma gramática patriarcal de guerra e paz responsável pela oposição entre mundos masculinos e femininos. Neste contexto normalizador sãoperformados(BUTLER, 2004) o sujeito homem, a amante e a fiel, enquanto personas populares de valentia que reatualizam a histórica mediação entre o malandro e o bandido (MISSE, 1999). Nas situações vividas, o idioma de gênero permite explorar a produção de fronteiras entre o uso da força e a regulação do convívio, indicando nexos variados de como se processam os conflitos, seja por anulação, mediação e/ou explicitação / The main objective of this thesis is opening a dialogue between gender, popular culture, and crime. The rationale guiding this work are techniques of conflict and managing violence used as forms of interaction having sexual images (STRATHERN, 2006) analyzed in displays of force (MACHADO DA SILVA, 2008) among residents and drug traffickers in the Nova Holanda favela, in the Maré community- Rio de Janeiro. The research results on the universe of Funk gangs prowess and the pacification of the Red Command drug group are analyzed using ethnographical accounts and trajectories that I was able to collect because of my experience as a native resident of this favela. I will argue that this process achieves a discursive expansion of crime (FELTRAN, 2006) producing physical and moral disturbances (DUARTE, 1987) - expressed by the emic category neurosis. The prohibited Funk performances reveal distinct techniques among each other - affirmative, offensive, and defensive - part of a widened spectrum of representations articulated by a patriarchal grammar of war and peace responsible for the opposition between masculine and feminine worlds. From this normativizing context the male subject, mistress, and the faithful wife are performed as popular personae of valor that update the historical mediation between the hustler and the bandit (MISSE, 1999). In these situations as they are experienced, the gender idiom permits exploring the production of borderlines between the use of force and the regulation of living together, indicating variable nexuses as to how conflicts are processed, whether by nullifying them, mediation, and/or explication.

Este estudo penetra no mundo das mulheres do sul do Maranhão e o compara com o mundo das mulheres da época pós-exílica, espelhado em textos escolhidos do livro de Cântico dos Cânticos (Ct 1, 5-6; Ct 3,1-5 e Ct 8,1-14). Através de uma hermenêutica feminista da libertação, procura entender a situação de desprezo, exclusão, discriminação e violência das mulheres dentro do sistema patriarcal, androcêntrico e hierárquico, com suas dimensões econômicas, sociais, políticas, religiosa e culturais, predominante tanto no contexto de Cântico dos Cânticos quanto na realidade sulmaranhense. Mostra-se como, em ambos os contextos, as mulheres resistem ao modelo de vida dominante e propõem outro modelo baseado em harmonia, relações fraternas, igualitárias, sem preconceito e sem dominação. Num primeiro momento, retrata-se a realidade do sul do Maranhão a partir das mulheres. A seguir, enfoca-se o modo como elas resistem a este sistema que as violenta. Num terceiro momento, apresentam-se o contexto da época de surgimento do Cântico dos Cânticos no pós-exílio e a resistência de mulheres neste período. Num quarto momento, são analisados textos específicos e representativos de Cântico dos Cânticos. No final, traça-se um paralelo entre as mulheres do sul do maranhão de hoje e as mulheres no Cântico dos Cânticos. Este estudo busca dar novo vigor às lutas e à autoestima das mulheres, sobretudo no sul do Maranhão, para que continuem resistindo a toda e qualquer opressão, gestando, assim, um novo mundo pleno de igualdade, sororidade, solidariedade, inclusão, justiça e paz. / This study enters the world of women in the South of Maranhão and compares it with the world of women in post-exilic era, as reflected in selected texts from the Song of Songs (1:5-6; 3:1-5 and 8:1-14). Through a feminist liberation hermeneutics, we try to understand the situation of contempt, exclusion, discrimination and violence of women within a patriarchal, androcentric, and hierarchical system, with its economic, social, political, religious and cultural dimensions, which prevails both in the Song Songs and in the reality in South Maranhão. It shows how, in both contexts, the women resist the dominant model of life and propose another model based on harmony, brotherly and egalitarian relations without prejudice and domination. At first, this study portrays reality of women in Southern Maranhão. Then, we focus on how they resist this system which is violent with them. Thirdly, we present the context of the time of emergence of the Song of Songs in the post-exilic period and the resistance of women in that period. Fourth, specific and representative texts of the Song are analyzed. Finally, we draw a parallel between the women of Southern Maranhão today and women in Song of Songs. This study seeks to strengthen the struggles and the self-esteem of women, especially those in Southern Maranhão, to continue to resist any oppression, gestating, thus, a new world full of equality, sisterhood, solidarity, inclusion, justice and peace.