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” ((1977) The Combahee River Collective Statement), means Black women are at the bottom of America’s hierarchy so they would be the ones to gain freedom last. In order for Black women to be liberated, white women would have to have been liberated already: only after the success of a movement that white people gained from can progression for black people to be considered. We’ve discussed the hierarchy and patriarchy of white America and the overwhelming oppression of Black people, especially Black women. The Combahee River Collective Statement talked about personal polotics and interlocking opression. Shared political and social issues are addressed separately based on your position in America’s hierarchy. As mentioned in the reading, there could be an anti-sexism movement that only focuses on white women. This is where interlocking opression is impactful. Black women can fight for anti-sexism but they would also have to fight for anti-racism. There are multiple oppressions that society puts onto black women simultaneously. All of these oppressions were built into America’s political system which is why it would take the destruction of this system for Black women to gain freedom.
This same idea contributes to Paris is Burning, identity politics and interlocking opression has to do with your race, gender, sexuality, and class effecting your role in society and politics. People fight for issues that impact themselves which is why when there are movements, white people are the ones that see progression. Black people are viewed as less than in American society and are left to continue to fight and advocate for themselves. The Combahee River Collective Statement and Paris is Burning show identity politics because they had to fight for freedoms for Black, Queer people. There are moments for women as well as Black women and then for Black Queer women. Identity politics shows how you have to fight for your own community. Opressed groups have to unite and support eachother’ s activism to create change.
Race and gender impact your position in society. America is a capitalist society with a system that works to build up some groups and oppress others. White people, specifically white men are at the top of the food chain, given privilege that allows them to climb the capitalist ladder and gain wealth and power. People of color, especially women of color face opression that creates less opportunity and the likeliness of having to work more for a low income. This inequity is necessary for America’s capitalist society to function the way it is currently structured. The upper class (white people/men) benefit from the lower class’s (people of color/women) labor.
Hello Aleah !
I enjoyed reading your post. I think that the movie “Paris is Burning” gave a great example of true fighters. LGBT community and queer people were proud of their sexuality but also were fighting for their freedom and existence. What I like about them is how they share the same opinion and sound as if it was one person speaking. Most of them came from the same class and that’s the reason they way act the way they do. They might look stronger but they have sensitive personalities and emotional feelings too like every other human being.
I agree with you because especially the white men’s are the ones who always classify the black men like less because a lot of them don’t have any idea about the struggle that have to life a Black Men in Society.
Hi Aleah, I loved loved, the quote you used. There is this saying that, “When you educate a man, you educate a person, but when you educate a woman, you educate the whole nation”. Women exude so much importance, yet we are the people least taken into consideration in essential matters like work. The Paris is burning is such an engaging yet heartbreaking documentary. We are able to dive into the world of people who feel dejected by societal traditions.