The quote from the article “The Combahee River Collective Statement”, “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.” It is more about the fact of how to obtain the complete freedom of any woman, since in itself, all women, regardless of race, color, or any other characteristic, have the right to be free. Being able to obtain the freedom of women means that any woman has to be free, since in her time, there was a fight over women’s suffrage, but many of these women only sought the rights of white women, instead of seeking women’s rights in general. Being able to destroy the system of oppression that exists among women is the true meaning of freedom. Being able to do, want or even dream of anything that the man says ‘the woman does not have the right to do’.
I feel that it is more about being able to create a change between societies, in The Combahee River Collective, it is more about how to make others see that black women are also necessary rights as is a white woman. It is to be able to let them know that the community of any person of the same race, background or even religion are united for the purpose of being able to be treated as people with their full rights and not as something lower than that. Since, as the article says, no other race/background/religion will fight the battle for you, but it is important to show them the necessary support to reach the goal. I see this method in “Paris is Burning” for the very fact of the golden age, where people who share the same tastes, qualities, or even orientation, came together to be able to be happy and show anyone or even themselves, that they have the same right to do what others do. As we see in the video, where homosexuals, drag queens, or transgender people came together to have their own method of entertainment, which in the video was modeling. Since, at that time, they were not allowed to participate in a modeling contest, they created their own empire in which they could let out their true selves without being afraid of hearing criticism because everyone there was the same, or shared his own passion. Which shows us that even if any person feels that they do not feel like themselves, they will always see a place for them, to be happy and to be able to demonstrate their passion and enjoy with people who truly accept them. What makes me a little sad is the fact that I understand that they feel comfortable with people who share the same passion, but this should not be the case. They should feel comfortable anywhere, whether with similar people or with totally different people, this is the true meaning of what it really is to be free and not be able to express your true self.
I feel that race and gender have a lot to do with capitalism, due to the very fact that it is not centered on who you are, but rather it is centered on your true work or value. The way I see it, capitalism is more individual, being able to do a business, buy a house or study on your own merits and not because the government takes your things from you to give them to someone who needs it. I see it this way, since I come from a communist country, where it is very common to hear the phrase “take from the rich to give to the poor”. Which in one way can be nice, but in another way it is very unfair, since what happens if the rich man reaches that point because of his work and effort, while the poor man does not want to do anything and just wants to take advantage of this fact. That is why I feel that capitalism does not discriminate, I feel that it is more about minding your own business. However, at the same time, I feel that capitalism on gender and race, can be very discriminatory or at least in the past maybe (since, in the present I feel that they no longer pay attention to this fact, and correct me if I’m wrong, please), because I remember before they wouldn’t let a black person own their property, or someone of any other race buy a house even if they were born in the country. I feel that the capitalism of before was very classifying, where the white will always be the one with the most money and power, while the others only serve to work for him.
Hey Food, thank you for sharing. I agree with you that capitalism is more of a fair way of living. You work hard to get where you want to be and what you want to have, but at the same time, there are a lot of unfair ways that people can become exploited, and I’m afraid I have to disagree with this, and typically it’s women being used the most.
Hey Food, I agree that people should feel comfortable anywhere. There should be more safe spaces. I also feel that way about capitalism too. I don’t like the hustle culture, but I want whatever I earn from working hard to be mine. Not all poor people are taking advantage, though. A lot of them work really hard. But there’s a good number of people that want to live off the government, not doing anything, and others have to fund their lifestyles, so that’s not fair. I actually know a few people who don’t even want to get a job because they know the government will provide for them. It’s messed up. Especially since not all rich people pay taxes. I feel like it robs the middle class mostly.
Hey Food, I appreciate hearing your view on the readings and on capitalism. It is interesting to see the perspective of someone who is coming from a communist society. I can see how from your view you can really see the benefits in relation to where you came from.
However, I think you are thinking more about a democracy than the capitalism that is in the United States. Although it sound pessimistic, it is a system that feeds on the oppressed, keeping them oppressed, while king it appear differently. When in fact capitalism keeps those at the top at the top while the rest work very hard, much harder than those at the top who are the one’s making all the money. It is actually a keep the rich rich and the poor poor scheme. However, that does not mean that an individual can’t live a decent live here, especially in relation to other countries maybe, but there is sadly an under belly of domino effect that is what we are learning about.