Glossary
Alice Walker
An acclaimed African American author and activist who coined the term 'Womanism' in the 1980s.
Example:
Alice Walker introduced 'Womanism' as a concept to address the specific experiences and spiritual needs of Black women, distinct from mainstream feminism.
Black Feminist Identity
The assertion of the inherent value and unique political perspective of Black women, based on their lived experiences at the intersection of race and gender.
Example:
Developing a strong Black Feminist Identity involves recognizing the historical resilience and intellectual contributions of Black women to social justice.
Combahee River Collective
A Black feminist lesbian organization active in Boston from 1974 to 1980, known for articulating the concept of intersectionality and the interconnectedness of oppressions.
Example:
The Combahee River Collective was a pivotal group that emphasized the liberation of Black women as essential for the freedom of all marginalized people.
Combahee River Collective Statement
A foundational document of Black feminism published in 1977, which outlined the group's political principles and asserted that Black women's liberation was crucial for universal freedom.
Example:
Students studying Black feminism often analyze the Combahee River Collective Statement to understand its profound impact on intersectional thought and activism.
Critique of Movements
The practice within Black feminism of challenging and exposing racism within the white feminist movement and sexism within Black liberation movements.
Example:
The Critique of Movements by Black feminists highlighted the necessity for inclusivity and accountability within broader social justice efforts.
Dual Oppression
The unique experience of facing discrimination and systemic disadvantage based on both race and gender simultaneously.
Example:
Black women often navigate Dual Oppression, encountering challenges in society that stem from both anti-Black racism and misogyny.
Early Activists
Pioneering Black women from the 18th and 19th centuries, such as Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman, who simultaneously fought against both racism and sexism.
Example:
The work of Early Activists like Jarena Lee laid the groundwork for future generations of Black feminists by challenging multiple forms of oppression.
Economic Analysis
A component of Black feminist thought, particularly within the Combahee River Collective, that incorporates a socialist perspective advocating for equitable distribution of resources and economic justice.
Example:
Their Economic Analysis emphasized that true liberation for Black women required not only racial and gender equality but also fundamental changes to economic systems.
Intersectionality
A framework, coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, that recognizes how various social and political identities (like race, gender, class, sexuality) combine to create unique modes of discrimination and privilege.
Example:
Understanding Intersectionality helps us see that a Black queer woman faces distinct challenges that cannot be fully understood by looking at racism or homophobia in isolation.
Kimberlé Crenshaw
A prominent American legal scholar and critical race theorist who coined the term 'Intersectionality' in the 1990s.
Example:
The work of Kimberlé Crenshaw revolutionized how we understand overlapping systems of oppression, providing a crucial framework for social justice movements.
Personal and Political
A feminist concept, expanded by Black feminists, asserting that individual experiences and struggles are deeply connected to broader societal power structures and political issues.
Example:
The idea that 'the Personal and Political' are intertwined means that issues like domestic violence or unequal pay are not just private matters but systemic problems requiring collective action.
Womanism
A social theory and movement introduced by Alice Walker that centers the experiences of Black women, critiquing racism within feminism and sexism within Black liberation movements.
Example:
Womanism seeks to empower Black women while also acknowledging solidarity with other marginalized groups, promoting unity and holistic well-being.