Keywords: Black feminism, Oppression, Black women
(1977) “The Combahee River Collective Statement”
The Combahee River Collective Statement discussed Black women’s struggle and negative relationship to the political system that is ruled by white males, the belief that it’s difficult to separate race from class, sex, and oppression because black women experience them simultaneously. The statement also discussed how difficult it is to organize around Black feminist issues such as addressing a whole range of oppression.
“We know that there is such a thing as racial-sexual oppression which is neither solely racial nor solely sexual, e.g., the history of rape of Black women by white men as a weapon of political repression”.
(1977) “The Combahee River Collective Statement”
The reason it’s so difficult to separate race from class, sex, and oppression is because of Black women’s history. Black women have history of being enslaved and repeatedly raped by white men. We can’t minimize history, or the fact that it happened, because history doesn’t want to hold white men accountable for executing this act. This racial-sexual oppression upholds racism, sexism, and also enhances white superiority over Black women.
Talking About Race
Ijeoma Oluo (2018), “So You Want to Talk About Race”
We have to talk about race. How can we understand or have meaningful conversations about race, cultures, “the system”, if we don’t know what it is? It may be difficult to have this type of conversation, especially if the focus is on people of color in our society, but Ijeoma Oluo said:
“Trust me, no conversation on race has ever ended nearly as bad for you as it ends for people of color”.
(Oluo, 21:21-21:28)
People of color may be reluctant to have a conversation about race, but if they are willing to talk to a white person about race, it’s generosity. People of color, specifically Black people, have received death threats, been harassed, killed, fired from their jobs, or unable to get hired from a job based on their race. This is only the half of the everyday things Black people go through. It affects not only themselves but their livelihood and ability to take care of their families.
Uluo mentions that we live in a world defined by whiteness because everything we view is based on whiteness. This goes from our calendars, holidays, fine art versus ethnic art, and even as far as professionalism. If you are white and know that the world is defined by your whiteness, understand how and why it’s a generosity to receive an explanation or conversation with a Black person on race. The world is different for Black people, and not acknowledging that brings back the pain this society isn’t built for them or defined by them. As a Black woman myself, conversations on race need to happen way more than they already are.
Women Redefining Difference
Audre Lorde (1980), “Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Redefining Difference”
In “Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Redefining Difference ” by Audra Lorde, oppressors must take responsibility for their actions instead of Black and Third World people having to educate white people on their mistakes. We must acknowledge our differences such as class, race, sex, and even our economic differences to move forward in our society. Audra Lorde noticed that white women have difficulty reading Black women’s literature because in their word’s classes can’t “get into” them (117) or because they come out of experiences that are “too different” (117). Lorde believes that white women are reluctant to see Black women as different from themselves which is why it’s difficult for them.
“To examine Black women’s literature effectively requires that we be seen as a whole people in our actual complexities– as individuals, as women, as human- rather than as one of those problematic but familiar stereotypes provided in this society in place of genuine images of Black women”.
(Lorde, 118)
Many people refuse to acknowledge the history of Black women and even Black men. It’s like the racism women or people of color never existed. White women who don’t want to acknowledge the situations Black women face and how different their lives are different from Black women or women of Color, will never be able to admit that they are inferior. It’s important that conversations like this happen because as Lorde states:
“Refusing to recognize difference makes it impossible to see the different problems and pitfalls facing us as women”.
(Lorde, 118)
Momo Pixel’s: Hair Nah
Learning more about Momo and everything that she’s done is so refreshing to see! Momo is an award-winning art director, game designer, and so much more. The game she designed, Hair Nah, is a response to people touching a Black woman’s hair without permission. As a black woman myself, this game couldn’t be any more relatable. There have been countless situations where white people have tried (some successfully) touching my hair without acknowledging how disrespectful it is. Black women are not animals that you can just pet and touch all over. This is the micro-aggression that needs to be addressed. The game was a perfect representation of the control people think they have over Black women and black bodies. Who are you to touch anything on anyone without permission?
Question:
Have you ever had a conversation about race? Could be with friends, family, etc. How did that conversation go? Did it go downhill? Was there new enlightenment after the conversation? New beliefs? Feel free to talk about tough conversations you’ve been in.
Hey really enjoyed your blog! I once went to the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum with my coworker. As we were walking around exploring the museum i could tell that she was getting a little sad. We talked about the different situations that happened to the slaves and the different killings of colored people back then. She was Caucasian and I’m black. The conversation that we both had was very touching because she felt the the pain that they went through, she even felt the need to apologize to me. Which was not needed, but i just really enjoyed the talk that we had. I loved the fact that black history meant something to her.
I have had the conversation about race “just a little”. Most of my white counterparts are afraid that it will go south so the topic ends quickly. And I want people of other races to feel comfortable about talking about the uncomfortable. I welcome the questions because as Olou says, we want to educate others and I think it’s important that we have a mutual respect for one another while letting someone know that what they said or their actions “hurt” us and working towards one common goal….the human race.
First, I want to thank you for including this Audre Lorde quote:
“To examine Black women’s literature effectively requires that we be seen as a whole people in our actual complexities– as individuals, as women, as human- rather than as one of those problematic but familiar stereotypes provided in this society in place of genuine images of Black women.”
While I remember reading it in the text, I did not connect those words to the Nina Simone lyrics describing various stereotypes. So thank you for helping me tie those two together!
To answer your question, regretfully, I have not had nearly enough conversations about race. I am quickly realizing though there’s a lot I need to do to educate myself first so the burden isn’t on someone else to educate me. I appreciate the generosity that classmates @axfresh and @marea showed/show when they choose to talk about race with others.
Hey Nrthomas,
This is George Ward. I really enjoyed reading your discussion post. I have had a lot of conversations about race with friends and family members, some positive while others were seen as a heated debate. Talking about race is such a critical topic especially to people of color because we still experience racism in today’s society. Me and My friend were talking about how great it was to see two black quarterbacks play in the Superbowl for the first time in history. We talked about the history of the NFL and how predominately white it use to be until a couple decades ago. Overall, great discussion post!
I haven’t had many conversations about race with the people around me, but I have had a few. One I had last year ended extremely awkwardly, as it was with family, who had no intention to truly change their mind. It was frustrating, as it tends to be when I don’t feel understood enough in my words. It just ended in awkward silence.