Standpoint theory is regarded as a feminist theoretical perspective which argues that social position is the source of knowledge. The theory denies the idea that traditional science is objective, suggesting that theory and research have marginalized women and thinking among feminists. The standpoint theory is a critical concept considering that it presents the argument that political and social experiences shape people’s different perspectives. It gives the marginalized groups a voice to advocate for their rights because it allows them to challenge the status quo. Understandably, the standpoint theory gives women and other minority groups a chance to fight for equality in society.
One of the early women who contributed tremendously to the classical sociological theory is Anna Julia Cooper. Biographically, she was born in 1858 and died in 1964. Cooper contributed to sociology through the Black feminism development. The lady is well-known for her urge and pressure on the South’s governments to enhance suffrage in the U.S. Julia mostly worked with the African Americans throughout the U.S. In other words, Cooper supported the standpoint theory, which championed gender and racial equality in the community. Therefore, it is worth noting that Cooper is among the early women who positively contributed towards the feminist standpoint concept, advocating for the respect of human dignity and intellectuality rather than ethnic and racial backgrounds.
William Edward Burghardt Du Bois is known for his contribution to understanding the race problem. According to Ritzer (2011), the idea of double-consciousness characterizes the subjectively lived and subsequently felt understanding of the race problem. He uses the double consciousness perspective to refer to Blacks, outlining how a sense of continually observing oneself through other’s eyes, and of measuring an individual’s soul by the world tape which looks on in amused pity and contempt (Ritzer 2011). According to Du Bois, double-consciousness is realized when Blacks see themselves through the contemptuous and pitying eyes of the genealogically biased Whites whose racial predisposition is part of the problem.
Reference
Ritzer, G. (2011). Classical sociological theory (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.