The Combahee River Collective wrote, “We are not convinced, however, that a socialist revolution that is not also a feminist and anti racist revolution will guarantee our Liberation.” Collins and The Combahee River collective articles discuss the race and gender dichotomy that African-American women face throughout their lives. It seems unfair to try to separate these systems of oppression, as both are equally as damaging to the forward movement of the Black women. It seems unfair to question; are Black women more oppressed because they are Black or are Black women more oppressed because they are women. In my feminist theology class we recently read A Voice from the South by Anna Julia Cooper in which she wrote “Only the Black woman can say “when and where I enter…then there the whole Negro race enters with me.” This statement attests that Black women are the most oppressed people in America, as their race and gender places them at the bottom of the white-male-patriarchal totem pole, and by uplifting Black women, not only is the entire Black race uplifted, but also all groups of oppressed people in America. Collins is exactly right in stating that “Black feminist thought demonstrates Black women’s emerging power as agents of knowledge”. When more Black women become respected theologians and share their perspectives on the American experience as Black women, more people will see the uniqueness of the struggle of Black women in a White and male dominated society. Black women have a lot to contribute to discussions on race and gender because “Black women’s ideas have been suppressed, this suppression has stimulated African-American women to create knowledge that empowers people to resist domination,” (Collins). It seems that Collins was correct in her idea that Black women will “create knowledge that empowers people to resist domination” because it seems that is what the Black Feminist Statement discusses in its totality. The tone of the statement is very urgent to direct, which relates a sense of “feed-up-ness” (yes I made up a word) within the Black female community. Perhaps we, as young Black women, should receive this as a call to action. “We know that we have a very definite revolutionary task to perform and we are ready for the lifetime of work and struggle before us.” It seems our for-mothers were. I hope we are too.
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2 comments:
I completely agree with your blog. I believe Collins addresses the power that Black feminists scholars have and the Combahee River Collective embodies that knowledge through their scholarship. Collins and the Combahee River Collective both stress the importance of writing articles and scholarly papers. However, I believe that Black feminist scholars should seek other ways to impact the community. Do you believe that there are other avenues that the Combahee River Collective can use to attract young Black women? Collins and the Combahee River Collective express the significance of Black women's voice through scholarship. Do you believe that Black women have to become scholars in order to promote Black feminist thought? I noticed that you were advocating that Black women become theologians to express their standpoint.
Women becoming theologians is a dire need in the women's movement as religion has traditionally been at the forefront of our race. The institution of religion, especially Western Chrisitianity, heavily influences the majority of the black community leaving them with tunnel vision. Black women with feminist standpoints in the realm of theology would be more than helpful in an attempt to deconstruct notions of gender inequality and homophohia for more progressive thought even in religion as it relates to EVERYone; especailly those marginalized as a result of accepted and internalized patriarchy.
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