Monica P
Feminism-
Patricia Hill Collins in her book Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness and the Politics of Empowerment makes many arguments and theorizes numerous concepts surrounding feminist thought. Not only does Hill Collins suggest premise for oppression of women in the African American culture, but also the intersectionality between all feminisms. She makes the point that oppression does not just start with the single structure gender and then move to such areas as race, class, sexual orientation, etc. It sees these distinct systems of oppression as being part of one overarching structure of domination in which all these systems are dependent on one another. Instead of arguing about who experiences the worst oppression, intersectionality focuses attention on how these systems of oppression interrelate in different peoples’ ways of life.
Hill Collins also argues how women from a transnational perspective, in different countries, are affected by different oppressions in very diverse ways. For example, if you were to be addressing Black oppression amongst women in the Caribbean’s, their issues would not be the same of those in the United States.
She states that Non-white feminist have not contributed in western feminist idea not because they were not capable of contributing with knowledge of their suppression. Today black feminist have the knowledge to contribute to feminist thought in a way no other culture could. Feminism now calls for the diversity that hasn’t had in the past, though politics, knowledge, ect. Have prevented this from happening.
4 responses so far ↓
ahvang08 // Sep 18th 2011 at 6:32 pm
Monica,
I think you have a great start here! I do however think you can develop your ideas a little more. We talked a little in class about including ideas of controlling images and how the dominate oppressors typically use these to keep control over the subordinate groups. I think you opening paragraph is very strong. However take a look at this sentence, “ She makes the point that oppression does not just start with the single structure gender and then move to such areas as race, class, sexual orientation, etc.” I think you need to restructure this sentence just because it is a very important to understand intersectionality, but it is a little difficult to understand. Over all you have a good start! Keep blogging
Abby
rcrich09 // Sep 18th 2011 at 7:01 pm
I agree with Abby, I think its important for you to focus on the intersectionality more and I would suggest looking at it as a way for feminism to become more inclusive with regards to other intersections of gender, race, and sexuality. Specifically I would look at her discussion of homosexuality and the way that many black women hold on to their heterosexuality as a last vestige of privilege and the way that can be damaging and exclusionary.
janico08 // Sep 19th 2011 at 9:35 am
Monica,
Don’t forget to add some strong quotes to add textual support with internal citations and a bibliography!
For example I think this quote might be of some use as it adds to what you already have said: “While focused on U.S. Black women, U.S. Black feminism constitutes on of many historically specific social justice projects dedicated to fostering the empowerment of groups within an overarching context of justice” (Collins 23). Collins suggests that U.S. Black feminist goals surpass the experiences of African-American woman. The goals aim to empower any group who is oppressed.
Also, be sure to edit for spelling and grammar.
Jenae
adtrol09 // Sep 20th 2011 at 7:52 pm
Monica 🙂 I really enjoyed reading what you wrote and you brought up some great ideas but I would like to see you elaborate on them a little more. I also agree with Jenae about adding some textual support. Great start though!
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