*4/22 Blog*

After reading “How We Get Free” by Keeanga Taylor, I feel I have a clearer understanding of the Black Feminist movements. The book discusses the movement in a way that I have never viewed it before. What brought this to my attention the most was the quote “If Black women were free, it would mean that everyone else would have to be free since our freedom would necessitate the destruction of all systems of oppression” I have always known the issues that come with intersectionality, but when I heard it put like that I had to take a step back. That would mean that the key to solving all issues of oppression sit in the hands of black woman. Which is funny given how much our lives are the least valued of all the races. 
This is nothing new though, that has always been the case for black women. Keeanga Taylor discussed this in the reading as well. We, black women, have always been there to help everyone with their oppression struggle thinking we were one in the same; but have been repeatedly rewarded with a slap in the face. Our oppression struggles were always put on the back burner. Until we finally decided that if no-one is going to stand by us, we would have to stand by each other, but even that was met with a struggle from lesbians vs heterosexuals. The only time people noticed and decided to pay some attention to the black woman’s struggles, was when they began losing the strongest, most supportive people on their team…the black women. I think the idea behind this reading was a powerful one that more people need to hear. Sadly it is so undermined because of who the idea is about. 

Comments

  1. Idris CarloApril 23, 2019 at 5:32 PM

    After reading Dejah’s “4/22” blog post I definitely agree with her viewpoints stated. Before having this class the feminist standpoint and movement was not defined well for me. “How We Get Free” does define the feminist movement and distinguishes the difference between the feminist movement and the black women feminist movement. Her explanation of black women’s dedication to other causes are definitely proven throughout history. Black women were apart of SCLC and took part in other organizations but when they wanted to express their oppressions they weren’t given as much attention as other protest movements. This blog post gives a good explanation of the disproportionate share of importance when it came to black feminism.

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