Sofia Arista-Juarez Discussion 10

When reading the 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” I had to break it down. Starting off with the first sentence, it reminded me of the article we read discussing the ways in which black women weren’t given many job opportunities in the tech field as compared to a white woman. One can say that black women are positioned at the bottom due to how they aren’t given equal opportunities. With this in mind, by them being at the bottom, it can help into truly show how they try their hardest to get to where they want to be. When society is against you, you tend to have no other choice but rather than fight to get to the top and get to where you desire and want to be rather than settling for what is already being given to you. This is where the leap into revolution action would take place because rather than settling for what is being handed to one, you’re working towards obtaining the change you want and need. What I think the Combahee River collective means by “identity politics” is rather than focusing on a grander group of people, it falls upon one’s own identity. In the reading, it states ” In the case of Black women this is a particularly repugnant, dangerous, threatening, and therefore revolutionary concept because it is obvious from looking at all the political movements that have preceded us that anyone is more worthy of liberation than ourselves. We reject pedestals, queenhood, and walking ten paces behind. To be recognized as human, levelly human, is enough.” What I got from this that helped me understand identity politics is that one’s own struggles that they have to face. When one realizes the way in which they are struggling, it can aid them in joining others that can share similar personal struggles and work towards breaking away from what society has thrown at them. In Paris is Burning, we were able to see this because it comes as no surprise how society and capitalism have shaped certain viewpoints on things. When it comes down to gender, there are certain things that are targeted to be for only males while other things are meant to be for only females. One’s gender also seems to be something that dictates what one’s strengths and weaknesses are (the idea that men are stronger than women but women vice versa) as well as any advantages and opportunities that can be given to them.

3 thoughts on “Sofia Arista-Juarez Discussion 10

  1. Orvana Williams

    Hi Sofia,
    There are only a few of my identities that Individuals may have been born into, stumbled onto, or can’t seem to let go of. They probably influence my politics and how others perceive me. However, proclaiming them truly claiming any of them as my own feels deceitful. Someone else has a greater claim, and there’s always a reason I don’t quite fit in.

  2. Olivia Vanora

    Hi Sofia!
    When you stated: “When society is against you, you tend to have no other choice but rather than fight to get to the top and get to where you desire and want to be rather than settling for what is already being given to you.” and then proceeded to say [Black women] “you’re working towards obtaining the change you want and need.” I would just correct your last word and change it to “Obtaining the change you want and DESERVE!” Black women’s struggles should not be profited upon, and they are more deserving of racial justice than anyone else. Otherwise, I really loved your post, very fluid and to the point!

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