So it has now become readily apparent that in writing my
last entry(link above), there was no way the paradox box of race I so desperately wanted to
leave closed can stay that way…and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I just
think I assumed it would be easier, or less controversial to not discuss, to
ignore the role race plays in feminism because at least from my perspective it
seems to be a pretty taboo topic. And before I really get into this post I definitely
want to thank a fellow feminist and moderator on the feminist page; you of
course know who you are and I thank you for challenging me in my earlier post,
for asking questions and therefore forcing me to generate responses and get a
better grasp of what my position was and why I had it. Being a novice to this
blogosphere of feminism has been a challenge no doubt and I appreciate receiving
vital criticism of my posts.
I think to kick this post of I want to give black feminism a
little more credit. Not because I completely agree with their beliefs but I
wrote that initial post from a perspective of not completely taking the time to
understanding what black women face. I was more into discussing that all black
women aren't necessarily down on their luck and economically disenfranchised
since I’m not and I failed to take myself out of the equation and give the
struggles of other black women and women in general credit and merit. I still know
people who weren't given the best hand in life, have heard stories about
different struggles and that’s something I can speak too. It’s wrong of me to
dismiss black feminism because frankly there speaking to struggles that
mainstream feminism doesn't…
But as I questioned in my last post how well their getting
that message to a mainstream black female audience, is questionable and I’m not
recanting that skepticism I have of the movement.
Furthermore black
feminism became widely known in the 1970s…now fast-forward to 2014, and it
simply isn't at the peak it once was and those black women that started the
movement like Alice Walker, writer of The
Color Purple, Angela Davis, Frances M. Beale don’t necessarily hold the
positions they held some thirty years ago. Those women along with many other
black feminist of their time did their rightly duty, went above and beyond for
the black feminist movement, now it’s time for a new generation to, pick up
arms, to continue what they started and sadly I don’t think that’s happening;
therefore making black feminism become somewhat of an allusion, a novel with no
pages that has failed to actually reach its current audience, it’s 2014
audience therefore leaving unknowing black women to the possible contribute the
movement can offer, the sense of upliftment and empowerment...a sense of unity
in knowing these struggles aren't specific to them; that their not alone. Black feminism can contribute, but in order to
contribute you have to reach the audience you claim to speak for, because if
not, are you truly speaking for them?
What irked me about black feminism was that I felt it was a
succession from mainstream feminism therefore making black feminism an even
smaller speck on the spectrum, getting even less attention now when removing
itself from mainstream feminism.
And I feel as though black feminism is also very exclusionary
of black women like myself, well off
I suppose would be an adequate terminology. Originally I questioned since I was
black and a feminist did that automatically make me a black feminist, which it
doesn't because it doesn't seem that I’m taken into account; I didn't
necessarily grow up with the same struggles, I’m seen as the uppity black that
can’t relate, and although I might not be able to empathize I can sure sympathize
and understand that their struggle is not for the swift but those who endure to
the end. And though I haven’t experienced what they have, I've still had my
fair share of struggles, it’s not like I don’t need upliftment and support
because I’m a little different; if you’re going to have an institution designed
to uplift the black woman it can’t exclude certain black women, that’s just
splitting hairs.
The fact of the matter is mainstream feminism is white
feminism. There doesn't need to be a white feminist movement because the
majority of modern day feminism is run by white females, it’s an inevitable
truth; something that became quite apparent as I went back and forth with that
fellow feminist. And white feminist have different desires, different
aspirations, and that’s fine…gaining positions of power, finally attaining
salary equality to men…worthy causes, causes that I personally am very thankful
for no doubt but these aspirations are not necessarily realistic to all women’s
lifestyles and cultures. The movement faces internal struggles most of which
seem to be swept under the proverbial rug of feminism and I think we should
incorporate the struggle(s) we face internally, we focus so much on making .70
cents to the dollar of men but there are huge disparages in the salaries of white
women versus salaries of women of color.
Is that not important?
This is something I feel is quite pertinent and it makes me
respect black feminism more, if something is not being done for you, sometimes
you have to do it for yourself; and I see this breaking away of black feminists
from mainstream feminism as a direct response to not being acknowledge. In
order to be a functioning unit and institution we need to expose issues that
affect us, affect women; we’re fighting for this and against that and there are so many
internal mishaps, which are just shooed away, why not open the paradox box,
that’s my new mantra…however controversial it may be, I realize my kitchen can
handle this heat because it’s positive to the growth of this incredible
institution that needs to incorporate every woman, not just exclusively working
for some. And I do commend women of the movement currently, because I think we
all hope that the doors they are working to open will be held for my
generations; for me. I respect what's currently being done in the third wave of
feminism, but of course there's always room for improvement…it’s time to bring
these issues to the forefront, demand attention, to generate change. And I’m
not naïve enough to think it’ll happen overnight but maybe over time it can at
least change a little…
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