Are you really a feminist?

[user1]

Ah. That's why I get confused when they call them black feminists. I'm a black woman that agrees with a few feminist grievances lol. I don't want to be labeled a black feminist. If we could do away with the fukking titles and get to the real issues that would be wonderful.

I feel exactly like this. The labels just distract from the actual problems.

 

[user1]

I absolutely believe that yes, if black men better supported black women's gender struggles that we could all move forward with the collective struggles as a race. It's beyond offensive to see this particular black man in here blatantly missing the point and trying to pit BW versus BM as if our separate gender related issues some how don't add up to holding us ALL back. This line of thinking is certainly not exclusive to support for black women alone either. People of color who are really about uplifting their entire race understand that both genders are 100% valuable and should be upheld to know that their kingship and queenship is a symbiotic relationship. Grown folks should also be able to easily identify or at the very least empathize with gender specific issues too. It's not some novel idea that women suffer in a particular way that males will not ever have to experience simply based off of biology. This is not a contest...just a statement of fact. Same deal for male specific issues...women cannot ignore or erase unique struggles that only males experience simply to justify or further our own movement. We are not the exact same but in our difference lies the solid foundation where our likeness can stand. I cannot fully prosper if my black brothers are't just as they can't flourish when us black women are not fully watered. Very simple arithmetic as far as I'm concerned.

These are not my own words...but I've quoted a good example (imo) of what black feminism is and why it's needed:

Black Feminism is merely an effort, coping mechanism, and tool to be utilized by Black women who are racially oppressed within the Women's Movement, and sexually oppressed within the Black Liberation Movement, as well as within the patriarchal system of the Black community, which simply mimics the sexist ideas of the larger society.

When this is brought up it makes me wonder how many of these men and women for that fact actually studied or read the stories about the black women in those movements. They all had some sort of commentary on how the women were not championed as leaders (or better yet appreciated for their input or efforts) by black men. And I also believe it was one of the reason Angela Davis became disillusioned with the Black Panthers. They weren't practicing what they preached. In hindsight I feel like we glamorize these movements and forget the mistakes which are the lessons we were supposed to pick up. We act like it was all "Black Power" "fight the power" goody goody when it wasn't.

 

[ExpensiveThrillz]

When this is brought up it makes me wonder how many of these men and women for that fact actually studied or read the stories about the black women in those movements. They all had some sort of commentary on how the women were not championed as leaders (or better yet appreciated for their input or efforts) by black men. And I also believe it was one of the reason Angela Davis became disillusioned with the Black Panthers. They weren't practicing what they preached. In hindsight I feel like we glamorize these movements and forget the mistakes which are the lessons we were supposed to pick up. We act like it was all "Black Power" "fight the power" goody goody when it wasn't.

i agree largely with your statement...a deciding factor for "black feminism" coming into existence was because black women quickly realized that patriarchy and sexism were still largely at play even though the race on whole was making headway in the black power/civil rights movements. However...as with most political and social changes in this country up to that time....those movements were more so aligned with getting men a foothold while leaving the "little ladies" flapping in the breeze. This is exactly why i made my initial comments in this thread...to try and put forth a logical argument from a black woman in the face of the extreme sexism displayed here on this site (our little world microchosm) ....for the most part though us women on here are always reduced to "reaching" or "typing too much" when we're rarely if ever combative or spewing out silly shyt...same for all the ladies that like to add input. It's disgusting for real that we're at the bottom of the barrel as people from a social standpoint but our own men tread on top of us and largely blame us for...well...everything. Then lord forbid we pay heed to our own personal interests as a safety mechanism....how dare

 

[Raava]

Actual discussion, even after being featured, I'm so proud of y'all