Feminism: Black Feminism?

I’m Feminist and I’m black.

It recently was revealed to me in reading a race and feminist related article that black feminism is an actual sub-genre in the world of feminism and in the blogosphere in general. Prior to me starting this blog I had never really come across the title and/or belief system, and in all my posts I never really felt the injection of race was ever necessary; I wrote/write about experiences and opinions I felt/feel equally played out for women in general, not particular sects or races. And with some research and reading of some proclaimed black feminist I can understand  the distinction of black feminism, I realize the differences that they’re arguing, but I guess I never really faced those issues hence why I never did or really could discuss them. I see their premise being the struggles faced by black women in some way or another overshadow and are more intense than that of their white counterparts but that in general is a very perspective and person specific baseline. And yes in certain cases you do have disparaging differences between races as far as economic, social and familial structure go, thus creating new struggles, which is an inevitable truth. Furthermore the wealth gap between blacks and whites has nearly tripled in the last quarter century, in favor of whites and wealth usually being the determining factor for all other factions of lifestyle like education for example does create an issue. That being said I do understand that maybe in more than just a few cases; in a lot of cases black women face different or perhaps a bit more strenuous situations. Now this is not to say you can’t find poverty stricken families of other races and that other families aren't struggling to make ends meet; and that’s what I want to make clear, the censuses only go so far; those stats aren't all inclusive of every families struggle, those charts don’t incorporate everyone’s situation,  whether they’re black or white.

As it goes for myself I don’t see my life struggle any harder than I would of a white, 18 year female with the same socioeconomic upbringing and family structure as I have. I live in an upper middle class town, an hour from NYC, and more than half of my town’s demographic is white. And I think that inherently  puts me at odds of truly understanding and empathizing not sympathizing with black feminist. Frankly when I first heard the terminology I thought, “Well here’s another example of race further dividing a people rather than unifying over the simple desire of gender equality.”

And then it occurred that being black do I know fall under the label of: black feminist? Am I supposed to pick up arms and take on this new sub-culture’s battle cry? And I mean I genuinely think I can’t, I simply have no understanding or ties to this particular genre of women. Yes, my complexion is dark but I don’t know what it’s like to struggle in the black community because I never lived there, I wasn't raised or reared there. Class oppression, economic and educational disenfranchisement, finding yourself unattractive or less than because of your dark pigment…those issues aren't my issues and I’m not saying that I don’t care and that I don’t want to help alter these situations for the better, but it’s very difficult for me to completely understand them not going through the experience. I do want the option of decent education offered to every person: black, white, Hispanics, Asian, or otherwise and I do want to change impoverished and crime ridden communities and neighborhoods, these are all things I desire but I’d be lying if I said they were on the forefront of my mind. And it’s not even that I can’t relate to the community and the issues as much as I don’t think I should try and act like I've lived there and that I know that lifestyle. Because in large sense doing that, acting like I've been there and I know the pain and the difficulties, almost trivialize the point(s) and the situation(s) that black feminist  deem as major issues for black women.  They’re certain things taken away from experiences, that are only gotten via the actually experience, some stories can be told but others have to be lived and I realized that just because I’m black doesn't automatically enter me into the black feminist organization.

I want female equality for all females whether black or white.

Straight or gay.

Rich or poor.

Literate or illiterate.

Whether you have a degree or not you know as a person the treatment you deserve and the respect you desire. For me I’m not going to bring race into this blog if I don’t have too, it’s simply a paradox box of political and racial debates that are too hot for my kitchen(lol). And I am of course willing to bring publicity and notoriety to causes that need it, and if they so happen to be geared towards a certain race or ethnicity then so be it, if we’re going to come together as a gender and achieve equality it would be remiss to leave women behind.

In writing this post and taking time to grasp the ideologies of black feminism I understand and acknowledge its existence but I think it’ll take me a bit longer to truly respect its value and appreciate what it’s doing for feminism as a whole, if anything. And I question how much it actually offers to the average black woman, who probably has no knowledge of black feminism, and what it claims to provide, so it’s a very slippery slope.

As always these are personal opinions of my own and are in no way written to defame, disrespect, or trivialize any persons or institutes that might have been acknowledge within the post.

Mistakes

Your growth in life is dictated by your ability to reflect, and your ability to cohesively take the most pertinent information and lessons from your past without getting stuck there. Lessons are derived from mistakes, these inevitable experiences that make life, lived.

I haven’t taken much time to respect my blog with all the holidays and finals that have plagued life currently, but I was still thinking about what I wanted to write, if anything. What would I want to explore after my mini hiatus. And it came to me in a lecture after receiving an exam and looking at a few mistakes I had made, that this post, this entrance back into my blogging life would begin with mistakes. The making, the fallout, and the learning received from mistakes. I've been on this earth for nearly twenty years now and mistakes and subsequent lessons have afflicted them. But I don’t use the word afflicted to express a disdain to the experience, mistakes are necessary life experiences that are constantly deemed as bad when there purpose is to enlighten one’s life. It’s a perspective specific understanding, and for pessimistic people perhaps they want to believe that mistakes are always bad; but that’s just not true.

Sitting there mistake began to take on this magnanimous definition as I started to think about it in a larger, deeper context. Mistakes I made as a kid, as a human, as a girl, that I’m currently making; it was overwhelming but the thought that consumed me the most was how I didn't want those mistakes that I made for my future daughter(s), for my future children in general (this post being within my feminist blog, is why it’s geared towards girls; not to exclude any guys), for any girls that gets the opportunity to read this post, or meet me. Blood or not I didn't want to think that the cringing sensation I felt sitting in that lecture hall as I relieved my most foolish mistakes would be lived by some unknowing girl.  I’m tired of stepping on my fellow wo[man] when there down, I feel as though were almost taught in the subject of belittling one another and tearing them down.

I’m done.

Learn from my mistakes instead of being stupid enough to make the same ones. You know that feeling when you’re thinking about something and it just triggers a memory; and it’s not living in regret it’s just a trigger to your past and it’s like relieving this embarrassing, debilitating experience that I can’t understand why I did it, frankly I didn't know who I was, which was largely why I did it. Looking for attention from people who had their own ulterior motives, desperate to fit into a crowd that society should have never put on a pedestal. Sometimes I even emit the strongest of feelings; hate. Hate towards myself more than anything, and I hate that too. I’m trying to pay it forward rather than be on standby and watch someone else make that mistake. And I realize that some mistakes are necessary and destined to be made but that’s not a true all.

I wasn't always a feminist, but I was always human. I write this post specifically appealing to the female youths that will come behind me. It’s never too early to be the example, but sometimes it can be too late. I write often about pride and self-worth, particularly in young women but it’s an acquired knowledge. No one comes out the gate with this full understanding of: who they are, what they are, and the abilities they harbor. It’s an anomaly. It’s a growing process that through the making of mistakes and through the growing as a person you will eventually realize who you are as a person. And I want to make that clear, it’s not an overnight process, it’s an evolutionary one.  

You’ll be ever evolving as a person but knowing your core principals and beliefs is what sustains who you are as a person; and your ability to evolve is based on what you take from your experiences; from your mistakes. If you take all the bad, all the negative from your mistakes rather than trying to find the lesson, then you’ll never go anywhere, you will never evolve. But if you take a minute to look at the situation from every angle rather than the most negative, jaded position you’ll realize that there’s more to a mistake then the error made but that there’s actually some valuable aspects you can take from it. Think of it as thrift shopping; a lot of times it’s a huge

 mass of clothing, and you have to sort through the racks and piles to find those gems, that perfect flannel shirt, or throwback Hammer time pants… and just leave the rest. I  

lol from Hammer to Harem

 can’t say I've enjoyed making mistakes, or at least I haven’t enjoyed most of them, but they were worth it to get to the best Imani I can be and now I’m going to hold the door open, open for our future.

One of my favorite Fiona Apple songs...her view on mistakes, which I enjoy...sort of Amy Winehouse-esq

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pokyLl-633o

Feminism: Feminist?

Feminism – the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men. Prominence arose during the French and American revolutions in the late 18^th century.

Derived from the French word: feminisme

-New Oxford Dictionary

                I feel as though there’s looseness as to how the word feminism is used and how the tittle of feminist is applied.

Being in college I've notice a new wave of young women rallying in the name of feminism and identifying by it, and that’s great. Beyond the educational experience one should be getting from college it’s hands down the most formative years for the future individual you will be; the person you’re becoming. An aspect of this growth process will of course be dedicated to one’s sexuality, and for some women (and men, but for the purpose of this post it’s strictly women) that means going through this almost explorative experience with multiple male or female partners, which I’m not condemning. But then these same young women identify as feminist after the walk of shame they shuffled through earlier that same day; and that confused me.

 You don’t just “put on” feminism or being feminist when it’s convenient for you and “take it off” after you've finished your charade. Feminism or being a feminist is a thought process, a mindset, a movement of advocacy. This misconception that one can be feminist when it’s fitting at that appointed time is a complete oxymoron. Being a feminist as far as I’m concerned is a very admirable tittle that unfortunately tends to get a bad reputation.

This new trending belief system (odds are it’s been around, but simply closeted) that one can be a feminist in the day and whoring around in the night is very unorthodox to me. Granted it’s a very touchy subject;  the relationship between feminism and sexual tendencies.; and there is a fine line between observing and realizing your sexuality as a woman…after all pussy power is the main title of this blog. And I advocate the understanding of one’s self to the fullest extent, that including your sexuality and what it harbors and possibly benefits in your life. But if your habitats include laying your worth down at the wayside for the first cat-call of the evening…I mean if you even respond to cat-calls as a woman in general, whether you identify as a feminist or not, is a serious problem.

Nevertheless my point is not to reign down some doctrine on how women should behave, sexually or otherwise, but don’t claim something you aren't. How can I take you seriously if I know your respect for yourself concludes at the different door you enter each night? Now again, I am not saying “Oh all feminist should be the reincarnated Mother Teresa.”

This is merely one person’s opinion; mine. And although this blog is fairly new my beliefs are not. I am not saying this is applicable to every young woman/woman feminist or otherwise but simply something seen in my experience thus far.

Attaining equality has and never will be easy; we started this crusade for rights over three centuries ago and the fight is still ongoing. That should speak volumes in of itself. I mean please have your sex, enjoy It too because being a feminist doesn't mean a loss of sexual freedom rather the gaining of freedom through the understanding of the worth you have as a woman.

Phew…I think I’m done lol

Blog Update:

I've noticed as of late that this blog has quickly evolved into more of an avenue that really explores feminism, rather than my original intention to explore the power of pussy…and I like that.  I guess it is become multifold if you will, and I think I want to equally dedicate opinions and thoughts to both because believe it or not, realizing that your femininity is power in itself is knowledge. I believe the two are closely related but the latter tends to be more of a taboo topic, which I hope to change. Please stay tuned to new and upcoming posts that will either incorporate or be directly related to either the power of pussy or feminism, whether it be a certain aspect or a more broad post discussing feminism overall.

Blog updates are simply messages written from myself directly to my readers informing of new changes and/or updates. These updates are in no way related to the post it is attached too and our solely designed to inform of changes occurring in regard to the blog.

Modern Day Feminism

Firstly I wanted to give thanks to my viewers and those following! We reached over 100 views just before the first week anniversary! This is a huge accomplishment for me and it’s a true testament to myself, that what I’m doing is worth it.  

I had been thinking about how this blog metastasized into this unique channel to discuss feminism and the thought occurred: Just what is modern day feminism? Or who are modern day feminists? 

Mega music star Beyoncé used the terminology in a recent interview:

Beyoncé is a singer, actress, businesswoman and mother, and in a new interview, the multi-talented 31-year-old calls herself a "modern-day feminist." "I do believe in equality. Why do you have to choose what type of woman you are?" she (Beyoncé) told the British version of Vogue.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/beyonce-calls-herself-a-modern-day-feminist-20130403#ixzz2jQSyZESO

But I questioned, do I even consider Beyonce to be a modern day feminist, or was that her own ill chose label..

In my last post I discussed the transformation feminism or the symbols and individuals that represent the ideology have transformed, and what it currently is for my generation. Feminism does have an overarching definition but throughout time, like all things it has evolved into three waves. But I haven’t truly taken the time to give fair discussion to what modern day feminism is, and what that phrasing incorporates that differentiates from good ole’ feminism.

I sort of see feminism as two ways in this current day and age. You’re standard stuck up white, baton-up-her-ass, old woman that sort of embodies old feminism but might allow some components of modern feminism in her thought process. 

And then you have the bitchin, fairly rude, sexy, I- don’t-need-no-man-don’t-want-no-man, modern day feminist who wants to debate and fight you on every bloody point they find to be right. I’m not saying this is the only modern day feminist you’ll find but a large portion of women seem to have taken the ideologies of feminism and transformed it into this taking up of arms, and bickering of “Oh I don’t need a man.” “Fuck patriarchy.” Or the lovely hashtag that I've noticed in passing other modern day feminist blogs…#killallmen. I wish I could say I was lying but feel free to search the hashtag and shake your head in disgust of these particular individuals.

That’s simply never what feminism was about; whether it is modern day feminism or classical; it’s all defined the same as the upliftment and power of women, NOT at the expense of degrading men.  Yes we were originally fighting oppression that was generated at the hands of men but that doesn't mean we start degrading and disrespecting in return.

The movement was started, at least in the Western world out of women’s suffrage; simply trying to get small rights like: women having reproductive rights instead of producing children every 9 months, being able to actually go to the police and not get kicked out on their ass when they explain to authorities that there spouse just beat or sexually assaulted them. (Both topics still needing severe ratification; 1 in 4 women have and will experience domestic violence usually at the hands of a spouse or intimate partner. Furthermore many countries still don’t recognize spousal/marital rape as actual rape.)  I mean arguably that’s where most feminist movements throughout the world regardless of region start; women attempting to get control of their own bodies; of their body’s reproduction and receive some level of respect.

I think the bigger issue at hand is what are feminist of today, modern day feminist fighting for? What is there cause exactly? Because all I notice is a whole bunch of arguing on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, about topics of no merit, like why women shouldn't make sandwiches anymore. It’s not about any unity or coming togetherness and it leaves me questioning what kind of feminist I fall under; by default I’m in the third wave (feminism is sectioned off in three waves, identifying time periods and struggles throughout) but do I truly want to be classified as a modern day feminist?

I’m not here to fight to the death about my opinion; I’m simply here to offer it. To discuss women’s worth, and if along the way I can offer a glimmer of light or finally allow a woman to realize she’s more than her lady parts, that’s great too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiqmZLOaD8o

Team Women

Team Humanity