The Combahee River Collective Statement 1977, written by the members of the collective is a black feminist group who met in during 1974-1980 to clarify and practice their black feminist politics. Their goal is to focus on the struggles of those who experience interlocking oppression. The women who belong to this group experience all these oppressions in a unique way. The reason as to why their oppression are unique is because to experience sexism is not the same to experience racist sexism. Black women experience of sexism is different from White women experiences of sexism. The genesis of Contemporary Black Feminism explains that the origins of black feminism are in the continuous live and death struggle for survival and liberation from oppression. Th beginnings of Black feminism came from black women’s personal experiences including black women who do not identify as feminists but have experienced sexual oppression in their daily lives. The third section “What we believe” they don’t believe that sexism is essential to maleness meaning that being a male does not mean you’re an oppressor. In the third section they speak about problems and organizing black feminists. They mention that their primary focus is to shed light on whole range of oppressions. They mention that they do not have racial, sexual, heterosexual, or class privilege to rely upon and so they do not have any access to resources or power that other groups have access to. In the fourth section the collective discusses black feminist issues and projects they have been involved with. They are concerned with any situation that limits the freedom of women third world people, working people, especially people facing racism, sexism, and class issues. They have worked on many political projects such as sterilization abuse, abortion rights, battered women, rape and health care. The collective states they are committed to a continuous examination of their politics as they continue to develop.

The film” Paris is burning” by Jenny Livingston documents the rise of a community made up of African American and Hispanics gay men, drag queens and transgender women. The documentary showcase how privilege, identity, and social class comes into play with identity politics. They share their experience of rejection with family and outer community and how their identity impacted their access to healthcare and job opportunities. The film “Paris is Burning” proves to the world of cinema that the impact of LGBTQ culture was well received within the community itself and that people what to hear, know and see the LGBTQ art.

The reading by E. Susan Barber gives a preview of major events that happened in the United States Suffrage Movement from 1776 to 1923. Her reading reveals a large and factual timeline of activist who fought women’s struggles for decades to win the right to vote. This timeline of Women’s Suffrage Movement ended after the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1923 with the first proposal of the Equal Rights Amendment. Women continuously fought for their rights and equal involvement in society that proved their capabilities. Women raised the awareness of inequities and reached out to form international coalition with other women’s suffrage groups. As women lengthened their educational opportunities the more Women’s suffrage groups started to trend. E. Susan Barber provides real stories in the decades leading up to and following that day. One hundred years ago women’s voices and their consistent motions were seen and heard, and their opinions finally mattered. This opened equal opportunity and their priorities were able to be viewed by the world on a whole. This was a significant moment in history and how the nineteenth amendment shaped our political and social system.

In today’s society most people see themselves as an activist but what does being an activist means. Many of the issue that are happening today are driven by our social, environmental, and political systems. Some example of activist/activist behaviors are Neighborhood Watch, Women’s Rights Activist or Animal Rights Activist After reading the book How To Think Like An Activist by Wendy Syfret’s mainly revolves in the political society. An Activist is a person who raises the future generation, someone who speaks truth to power, someone who puts themselves on the front line and brakes down barriers. Activists engage in speaking out and trying to move the world or keep the world from moving. Activist must know that most change does not happen quickly so what motivates they or keeps them motivate? In order to do any of those an activist must have self-knowledge.

I watched the “Girl Connected” film which reflected women empowerment. Throughout the film there were five teenage girls using their individual strengths to tackle gender discrimination and violence in their communities. In these countries these girls are seen uplifting, encouraging, and inspiring their other peers to transform their lives. In one of the scenes a young lady shares with a group of girls that she was the first girl to play football at her school. She stated that girls set boundaries for themselves and that they do things are concerned only for boys to part take in like, Football. In another scenario a young girl by the name of Ayesha Noor who lives in India, started training other girl self-defense after hearing a child was raped. In India another girl is protesting child marriage and is educating others in her village and is building a base for them to start them small foundation. I engaged in activism about five years ago when I came to live in the United States. My cousin had introduced me to a theater program whose focus was on Women Empowerment. At that time, I was a singer who wrote songs mainly about race, gender, status, and equality overall. I performed in New York and showcase my talent and projection on inviting all women to stand up for each other and breaking down barriers. During this time, I had the opportunity to work amongst talented and evolved women who stood up and is still standing high for women empowerment. Unfortunately, due to school and working a full-time job I was unable to continue the theatre program.

Audre Lorde, “There Is No Hierarchy of Oppressions” spoke about being a part of the black and lesbian community and being oppressed because those communities are seen as abnormal. She stated in her writing “Within the lesbian community I am Black, and within the Black community I am lesbian” which shows that direction she takes she faces obstacles of oppression. She mentions that there can be no hierarchy of oppression She has this concept of concurring all the oppression and having a society where being a woman, lesbian, black or a mother does not result in oppression. Allan G. Johnson “Patriarchy, the system: An it, Not a he or an Us” expressed the importance of acknowledging patriarchy as a system and not as an individual. Patriarchy is a society organized around certain kinds of social relationships and ideas. The reading discusses the male dominated society we live in and shows the relationship between the individual and social structure. Johnson states that it is necessary for a person to be outwardly oppressive to be participants in an oppressive society, because if a society is inherently oppressive, individuals will “accept, identify with, and participate in it as normal” It is through the systematic encouragement of oppression and privilege that mistreatment and wounding of certain groups can continue, unaddressed.

The four levels in that demonstrates the impact that patriarchy has on the society are “Personal” which has to do with the feeling, thoughts, and belief about others whether conscious or unconscious. This can be seen as a man (breadwinner) having the final decisions in his family arrangements. “Interpersonal” which are action that can inflict violence. “Institutionalized Patriarchy” are policies, practices, and procedures that an organization can give priority over one another. In some cases, men are given managerial positions over women. “Cultural/Structural” are what is considered to be “true”, “right, “normal” or “beautiful”.

Audre Lorde, “There Is No Hierarchy of Oppressions”  spoke about being apart of the black and lesbian community and being oppressed because those communities are seen as abnormal. She stated in her writing “Within the lesbian community I am Black, and within the Black community I am lesbian” which shows that direction she takes she faces obstacles of oppression. She mentions that there can be no hierarchy of oppression She has this concept of concurring all the oppression and having a society where being a woman, lesbian, black or a mother does not result in oppression. Allan G. Johnson “Patriarchy, the system: An it, Not a he or an Us” expressed the importance of acknowledging patriarchy as a system and not as an individual. Patriarchy is a society organized around certain kinds od social relationships and ideas. The reading discusses the male dominated society we live in and shows the relationship between the individual and social structure. Johnson states that it is necessary for a person to be outwardly oppressive to be participants in an oppressive society, because if a society is inherently oppressive, individuals will “accept, identify with, and participate in it as normal” It is through the systematic encouragement of oppression and privilege that mistreatment and wounding of certain groups can continue, unaddressed.

The four levels in that demonstrates the impact that patriarchy has on the society are “Personal” which has to do with the feeling, thoughts, and belief about others whether conscious or unconscious. This can be seen as a man (breadwinner) having the final decisions in his family arrangements. “Interpersonal” which are action that can inflict violence. “Institutionalized Patriarchy” are policies, practices, and procedures that an organization can give priority over one another. In some cases, men are given managerial positions over women. “Cultural/Structural” are what is considered to be “true”, “right, “normal” or “beautiful”.