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The Black Feminist Movement, Womanism, and Intersectionality

Maya Hall

Maya Hall

5 min read

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Study Guide Overview

This study guide covers the foundations of Black Feminism, including its historical roots with early activists like Sojourner Truth and the emergence of the movement in the 1970s. It explores key concepts such as the Combahee River Collective Statement, Alice Walker's Womanism, and Kimberlé Crenshaw's Intersectionality. The guide delves into the core principles and issues addressed by the Combahee River Collective, emphasizing the interconnectedness of oppressions like racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia.

AP African American Studies: Black Feminism - The Night Before 🚀

Hey! Let's make sure you're feeling super confident about Black Feminism. This is your go-to guide for tonight. We'll break it down, connect the dots, and get you ready to ace that exam! 💪

1. Foundations of Black Feminism

1.1 Historical Roots 🕰️

  • Early Activists: Black women like Jarena Lee, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Tubman were the OG's. They fought both racism and sexism way back in the 18th and 19th centuries. Think of them as the foundational pillars of Black feminism. ✊
Quick Fact

They didn't just fight one battle; they fought two – racism and sexism!

- **Dual Oppression:** They experienced a unique kind of oppression—both as Black people and as women. This dual struggle is key to understanding Black feminism.

1.2 The 1970s: A Movement Emerges 🌱

  • Inspiration: The Black feminist movement of the 1970s directly drew from the legacy of those early activists. It's all connected!
  • Unique Experiences: The movement emphasized the distinct experiences of Black women, recognizing that their struggles were different from those of white women and Black men.
Key Concept

This is where the idea of intersectionality starts to take shape.

2. Key Concepts & Influential Voices

2.1 Combahee River Collective ✊🏾

  • The Name: Named after Harriet Tubman's famous raid, which is pretty badass.
  • The Statement (1977): This is HUGE! The Combahee River Collective Statement is a foundational document of Black feminism.
Quick Fact

The Combahee River Collective Statement is a must-know for the exam!

- **Core Idea:** They argued that if Black women are free, *everyone* is free. They linked racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia, showing that they're all interconnected. 💡
Memory Aid

Think of it like a set of dominoes: toppling one topples them all.

2.2 Alice Walker and Womanism 🌸

  • Womanism: Introduced by Alice Walker in the 1980s, this term expands on earlier forms of activism.
  • Addressing Gaps: Womanism critiques racism within feminism and sexism within Black liberation movements. It's about making sure everyone is included.
Common Mistake

Don't confuse womanism with feminism; they are related but distinct.

- **Focus:** It centers the experiences and empowerment of Black women, while also acknowledging solidarity with other marginalized groups. It's about unity, not division.

2.3 Intersectionality: Kimberlé Crenshaw 🔗

  • The Term: Coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in the 1990s. This is a game-changer!
  • What it Means: Intersectionality is about how different forms of discrimination (like racism, sexism, classism) overlap and create unique experiences for Black women.
Memory Aid

Imagine a crossroads where different roads (identities) meet. The traffic (oppression) is different at each intersection.

- **Framework:** It helps us understand how these systems of inequality and privilege interact. It's not just about one thing; it's about *everything*.

3. The Combahee River Collective Statement: Deep Dive

3.1 Core Principles 📜

  • Intersectionality: They recognized that Black women face multiple oppressions simultaneously. This is at the heart of their statement!
Key Concept

The statement is all about the interconnectedness of oppressions.

- **Black Feminist Identity:** They asserted the inherent value of Black women and developed politics based on their lived experiences. - **Critique of Movements:** They called out racism in the white feminist movement and sexism in Black liberation movements. They weren't afraid to challenge anyone. - **Economic Analysis:** They had a socialist perspective, advocating for equitable distribution of resources. They understood that economic justice is part of the fight.

3.2 Key Issues Addressed 🎯

  • Personal and Political: They expanded the idea that "the personal is political,'