Month: February 2023

“Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Redefining Difference”

In Lorde’s reading she talked about how the oppressed have to educate the oppressor on how they oppress people who aren’t like them, who are different, who don’t follow the same “norm” etc. Here’s a quote from the reading that may help if lost,

Black and Third World people are expected to
educate white people as to our humanity. Women are expected
to educate men. Lesbians and gay men are expected to educate
the heterosexual world.

Audre Lorde (pg.115)

So not only does she talk about Black people but she also goes on and mentions other groups of people such as, women, queer people, and different age groups. While I was reading the article several thoughts went through my head about personal experiences since being a hispanic woman having to educate those around me about certain things and how sometimes it can get tiring when those who we talk too don’t really see or understand and I know it happens with any and most likely every oppressed groups. Another quote that I really enjoyed from the reading was,

“Change means growth, and growth can be painful. But we sharpen self-definition by exposing the self in work and struggle together with those whom we define as different from ourselves, although sharing the same goals.”

Audre Lorde (pg.123)

This to me says that the world, society and space around us is changing and that can be scary to some since we have been so used to the same thing that learning something new from maybe a new group of people, new culture, new age group, etc. can be something out of the norm but it is in fact a great and beautiful thing. Being able to see more to what has always been taught and shown can be a new way of bringing everyone together since after all, we all do share some of the same goals and are just here to live a best life by reaching those goals.

Key words: educate, growth, oppressed, women, race

“The Combahee River Collective Statement” (1977)

So this article is about a group of Black Feminist that have been meeting since 1974. They talk and go on to explaining about four of the main topics of the article and each topic they mentioned explained briefly on what it was. “(1) the genesis of contemporary Black feminism; (2) what we believe, i.e., the specific province of our politics; (3) the problems in organizing Black feminists, including a brief herstory of our collective; and (4) Black feminist issues and practice.” (The Combahee River Collective Statement 1977).

“So you want to talk about race.” Ijeoma Oluo(2018)

In this video Ijeoma talks about how many people are scared to talk about race but it’s actually a necessary thing to do to break that fear of people. There was something she said that really took out to me and it was,

“What we’re doing when we’re talking about race usually, is we have people who are trying to come to their own personal goals. And usually people of color coming to talk about race are trying to get other people to understand what is harming them.And very often white people come to talk about race to try to make sure that the person they’re talking to knows that they are not the person who is harming them.”

Ijeoma Oluo “So You Want To Talk About Race” (vid time 19:56)

This was a very big realization that I didn’t even recognized that some people do when they aren’t a person who’s black or just of color that try and talk about race and try to take themselves out of the group who is doing the harm because they are “nice” and aren’t the problem. Which no they individually aren’t which is good but you have this group of people who are that are connected to them because of their skin color. (I hope that makes sense) It was a very good video to watch and even though there was some time where I was lost but I still very. much enjoyed watching it.

Key words: race, color, people, harm, understanding

Question: Where there any thoughts that you had going through your head when reading some of the articles or watching the video that you would like to share? Wether they be a realization of something you didn’t know until after reading everything from this week or just a memory of a time where some of the things we read happen to you or around you.

The Combahee River Collective Statement

Key Words ” Statement, Redefining, Black Feminist”

The Combahee River Collective is a black feminist and lesbian organization that came together to address the inequality of black women and lesbian compared to white women during the feminist movement and the civil rights movement back in 1974 to 1980. They both came together to create a statement called the “The Combahee River Collective Statement”. This statement was developed to argue that these movements didn’t meet the needs of black women and lesbian women. In the text they hit on four major topics: (1) the genesis of contemporary Black feminism; (2) what we believe, i.e., the specific province of our politics; (3) the problems in organizing Black feminists, including a brief history of our collective; and (4) Black feminist issues and practice. The genesis of contemporary Black feminism, points out in “Reflections on the Black Woman’s Role in the Community of Slaves,” Black women have always embodied, if only in their physical manifestation, an adversary stance to white male rule and have actively resisted its inroads upon them and their communities in both dramatic and subtle ways” (pg.1) Next what they believed. In their statement they wanted to argue that black women and lesbians are indeed valuable. They believed in “collective process and a non-hierarchical distribution of power within our own group and in our vision of a revolutionary society.” (pg.1) Then they went on and discussed the problems in organizing black feminist. The major issues that they faced was not having the privilege to rely on when it comes to racial, sexual, heterosexual, or class. They also talked about not having the same resources or power. Lastly, black feminist issues and projects. They argued about the rights and more issues that black feminist women suffer. For example: abortion rights, rape, health and so much more.

I really enjoyed reading this text, it really made me think about all of the things that black and lesbian women had to face back then. They truly paved the way for all women to have the same rights. I think the purpose of this text is to first bring awareness to what and who The Combahee River Collective is, and speak on the issues they faced and try to get on command grounds so they may be able to have the same rights as all the other women.

Age, Race, Class and sex: Women Redefining difference by Audre Lorde

In this text Loudes speaks on age, race, and sex in black women & lesbian and white women. Loudes is a black lesbian woman who wanted to give her perspective from her own personal experience. She points out the many flaws of the system. “We have all been programmed to respond to the human differences between us with fear and loathing and to handle that difference in one of three ways: ignore it, and if that is not possible, copy it if we think it is dominant, or destroy it if we think it is subordinate” (Lorde Pg. 115) I can agree with this from my own personal experiences. When I was younger, I felt like some kids are programed into thinking one way. I feel that was the main cause of a lot of bullying. If a person sees something that doesn’t makes sense to them then they do question it or think it’s weird or out of the ordinary. I believe the purpose of her text is to get people to not only address and recognize that oppression comes in all forms such as racism, ageism, and heterosexism.

Connection

 I think the best song to connect to this text for this week is the Nina Simone song – Four women. Her song is very beautiful, she talks about four different women, who features, and life was different. They each lived a different life and they all identify in different ways. I feel that this songs connects with each text, because I feel that each text for this week focused on inequality that black women and lesbian women faced. They both hit on points that all women should be treated the same no matter their Age, Race, Class and sex.

Questions:

What does Women Redefining mean to you?

Which text was your favorite to read this week and why?

Overview

“So You Want to Talk About Race” 

Keywords – Race, Fear, Injustice, Hate 

Ijeoma Oluo’s main message was that it is difficult to talk about race. However, it is necessary. We cannot fully move forward in any aspect of our lives with avoidance. “Race is not something people can choose to ignore anymore. Some of us have been speaking all along and have not been heard” (Oluo, 2018). Instead of taking the time to understand the differences and oppression that is happening with people of color, many people say that “race does not matter”, “we all matter”, or “we are all equal”. However, we all are not yet equal. This is something that needs to be understood first so that we can make a change. When you are not the person who is suffering, the best thing you can do is listen. From there, ask where you can help. 

“The Combahee River Collective Statement”

Keywords – Politics, Feminists, Liberation, Patriarchy, Socialists

This text describes some of the beliefs, goals, and issues that black feminists face. The collective unites over shared characteristics that cause them to be oppressed. “We were told in the same breath to be quiet both for the sake of being “ladylike” and to make us less objectionable in the eyes of white people” (The Combahee River Collective Statement, 1977). This statement narrates how black females have been suppressed in multiple aspects of their life. It is an example of intersectionality. 

“Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Redefining Difference”

Keywords – Difference, Norm, Inferior

Most of this text illustrates that deviations from what has been considered the norm causes people to be regarded as inferior. “In America, this norm is usually defined as white, thin, male, young, heterosexual, Christian, and financially secure” (Lorde,1980, p.116). People who are different from that norm are more likely to be oppressed. With more deviations, there is more oppression. 

Connections

For the “Hair Nah” game, I like that there were options for different hairstyles instead of just being limited to naturally curly hair. I know from experience that people like touching braids without asking as well. The first round was fine then the intensity kicked up as hands were coming from multiple directions. I thought to myself “I can’t do this” in real life nor with the video game. It will never become acceptable for someone to touch another person without their permission. We are not toys. We are human, and each of the main texts and videos is trying to bring awareness to the dehumanization faced by people of color. 

Question

Referring back to the “So You Want to Talk About Race” video, Ijeoma Oluo mentioned that people will vote for tighter policing because they are scared of the way the demographics in their neighborhoods are changing (Ijeoma Oluo, 2018). 

Why are those people scared? 

Reference

Audre Lorde (1980), “Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Redefining Difference”

Ijeoma Oluo (2018), “So You Want to Talk About Race”

(1977) “The Combahee River Collective Statement”

“The Combahee River Collective Statement”:

Summary: This reading talks about Black feminist and all they endured during this time period. The Combahee River Collective is a Black feminist organization built with African American women. This organization was part of doing political work within in their group. Black feminist faced more than just feminism they also faced racism as well will fighting for Women’s Rights. ” Still, hundreds of women have been active at different times during the three-year existence of our group. And every Black woman who came, came out of a strongly felt need for some level of possibility that did not previously exist in her life.”(The Combahee River Collective) This quote stuck out to me because these black feminists needed something they couldn’t get until they joined this group which was hope for a new and better life.

” Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Redefining Difference”:

Summary: In Age, Race, Class and Sex, they are talking about how the “different” people have to teach the other people what they know or what they grew to know in these different cultures. This reading basically talks more about the different races and gender sexual preference. Black women and men get shunned upon when they come out as being Lesbian and or Gay. “In certain parts of Africa, small girls are still being sewed shut between their legs to keep them docile and for men’s pleasure.” (Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Redefining Difference) This quote is major to me because other cultures and races don’t see how much black women go through and all they have to fight for to at least halfway get the equal rights they deserve.

Connection Between the Two:

Explanation: I picked these two articles because they are the ones who stuck out to me the most. Both of these articles talk about how much black feminist had to go through in order for black women to get treated the same as everyone else. Black women still struggle with equal rights, and they are still fighting for them.

Key Words: Black feminist, Sex and Gender

Question Time:

What do you think we could all do as a whole to change some of the issues that black women are still facing right now?

How do you feel about Black feminist?

The Combahee Collective

Combahee River Collective is an organization of black feminists who are involved with doing political work within their group in order to face racism, sexism, and class oppression. This reading goes on to talk about how, not only do black females have to worry about being females, but they also have to worry about being black and facing racism. Standing for female rights isn’t easy when you are black and female, it isn’t in your favor when it comes to racism and sexism. “We understand that it is and has been traditional that the man is the head of the house. He is the leader of the house/nation because his knowledge of the world is broader, his awareness is greater, his understanding is fuller and his application of this information is wiser… After all, it is only reasonable that the man be the head of the house because he is able to defend and protect the development of his home. Women cannot do the same things as men—they are made by nature to function differently. Equality of men and women is something that cannot happen even in the abstract world. Men are not equal to other men, i.e. ability, experience or even understanding. The value of men and women can be seen as in the value of gold and silver—they are not equal but both have great value. We must realize that men and women are a complement to each other because there is no house/family without a man and his wife. Both are essential to the development of any life.( The Combahee River Collective)” For people to have thought this way back then, there are many people who still think like this today. I feel that because of this thought, people had in the early 1970’s, it’s hard to think differently on something that was mostly everyone’s way of thinking, and they way of thinking is being taught to this day. Times are changing where women are taking on men’s jobs and being the breadwinner in the household, I feel that it has to be understandable that women do not want to be like the thought back in the 1970’s.

Ijeoma Oluo

Her introduction explained what she had to go through being black in society and how she had to put in more work than white Americans. Also, how she would have to pretend like a racist joke didn’t bother her and many other things. But she soon realized she was tired of going through those things and started questioning. I definitely agree with her when, during her introduction she says that people are not comfortable with talking about race and what stuck out to me most is when she said “Now that we are all in the room, how do we start the discussion? This is not just a gap in experience and viewpoint. The Grand Canyon is a gap. This is a chasm you can drop entire solar systems into. (Oluo, 5:14, 2018)” This quote goes to show how uncomfortable it truly is to have to talk about race and how the oppressed and the oppressor’s experiences are very different.

Audre Lorde

I really liked this reading. I feel that she was telling a lot of truth. Audre talks about how people who are oppressed, how it is their responsibility to educate the oppressor on how you’re oppressing them while the oppressor will still oppress and not take accountability for them oppressing the oppressors. “Those who profit from our oppression call upon us to share our knowledge with them, In other words, It is the responsibility of the oppressed to teach the oppressors their mistakes (Lorde pg.114).” I honestly never thought of it in the way she explained it. It is wrong for people who are oppressed to have to feel like they always have to educate the oppressor on how the oppressor is oppressing then, when in reality they already know, they just don’t want to admit it.

Audre Lorde’s Quote

“The threat of difference has been no less blinding to people of Color. Those of us who are Black must see that the reality of our lives and our struggle does not make us immune to the errors of ignoring and misnaming differences.” (Lorde, pg.119)

Ijeoma Oluo’s Quote

“I would try to make my voice quieter in meetings, but I couldn’t. I would try to laugh off the racist jokes, but I couldn’t. I would try to accept my bosses’ reasons for why I could have my promotion but not my raise, and I couldn’t. And I started talking. I started to question, I started to resist, I started to demand.” (Oluo, 5:03)

The Similarities

These two quotes from Audre Lorde and Ijeoma Oluo are similar because Audre in this quote talks about how people of color must face the reality that they live in and not blindside yourself into how people are mistreating you because of your skin color. I feel that Ijeoma was doing that but got tired of the way she knew she was being treated but got tired of it and started speaking out. I think Ijeoma would definitely agree with Audre’s quote.

Tupac “Keep Ya Head Up”

“You know what makes me unhappy. When brothers make babies and leave a young mother to be Ya Papi. (Tupac, 0.51, 2008)” This relates to this quote from the Combahee River Collective organization “We must realize that men and women are a complement to each other because there is no house/family without a man and his wife. Both are essential to the development of any life. (The Combahee River Collective).” These quotes go against what a lot of people think. If you believe that both a husband and wife are “essential to the development of life” and there are lots of single mothers who have to take on both the mother and father role, why should you be sexist against women? Especially women were forced to take on both roles.

My Key Words

• Sexism
• Racism
• oppression

My Questions to You

What are your thoughts on people who are oppressed having the responsibility of explaining to the oppressor how they are oppressing them? Do you feel that the oppressor knows they are oppressing people?