Kat Gawin 

Prof. Hollis Glaser

GWS 100

Discussion 10

There are variations in feminist movements. Black feminism involved this particular way because a group of people with fundamental needs was omitted. The Black women didn’t have a representation showing THEIR problems. Like the issues didn’t exist, and a basic common sense would not know how much struggle black woman is going through! Besides being pushed aside, Black women were inspired by national liberation and significant changes in recent history. They supported black men’s struggle for justice, but they didn’t get that much help back. Today we know more about that personal pain, and we must retell the history.

•  This quote””We might use our position at the bottom to make a clear leap into revolutionary action. If black women were free, it would mean that everyone else would have to be free since our freedom would necessitate the destruction of all the systems of oppression.”

 Shows that If we help the most oppressed and move the standards higher for a more civil understanding of who we are, we will also help this group and everyone above. If the person who experiences the most significant discomfort succeeds, their kids will do better. Someone’s future will change and their future. If one group would never free, the new generations would not move forward. The Combahee River Collective shows how black a white women did not understand women. Angela Davis points out of important role black women represented in the history of feminism. She points out complicated sexual identity combined with their racial identity that effective the political lives of so many. There must be so many stories expressing injustice we can only imagine! We can only talk about history if we include everyone! 

• What does the Combahee River pool mean by “identity politics”? How do you see this operation in Paris is Burning?=

I loved the movie “Paris is Burning”!! It shows the strength of identity, how people couldn’t express themselves before, and how they perceive themself. The gender-based social structure is described inside a community life, psychology, and specific behavior creates identity -self-expression. The characters talk about their feelings and the reality they must live or hide. The movie is stunning and personal. It’s very authentic. The film portrays a balloon culture and an underground LGBT community that must hide to perform. People cound express themself in a fascist world where rules don’t apply to them. The ballroom world is the only place they can be who they are because outside, nothing is accepted!

• What do race and gender have to do with capitalism?

Capitalism explores people for profit. The easiest way to make a lot of money is to use the weak people that depend on the little income they produce. Women must fit in small, physically paid jobs because they have the emotional responsibility to care for children, so they must take any job they can. Women also have smaller self-esteem and often accept jobs with smaller incomes. Capitalism also explores people of color- slavery is the clearest example. If people have no benefits and good working conditions that let them grow and build a safe future, they are being explored.