In The Combahee River Collective Statement, 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.” to me the quote means that Black women were discriminated against not only for being Black but being women too. This was part of what people seen as normal because society justified why it would not be right to free Black women as opposed to liberating white women. If they would have been free that would destroy the oppression society had imposed on all men and women, white or black. By keeping them oppressed it was easy to control Black women. I think what Combahee River Collective mean by “identity politics” is that Black women were to make their own rules and plan based on the conditions and treatment they faced because of race, gender, and sexuality. This is highlighted in “Paris is burning” with the elaborate ball runway competitions. Back when it was film in the 1980s African American, Latino, gay, and transgender were not able to express themselves without being judge so they created this ball competitions which display their individualities. African American, Latino, gay, and transgender were able to make their own rules and plan based on the treatment society placed on them. Race and gender have do a lot with capitalism because the same people who have power are the ones exploiting those who struggle. Capitalism is the focus of change in society. It can change the discrimination of different races, genders, and sexuality. In Combahee River Collective Statement it states that their belief is that the destruction of capitalism, imperialism, and patriarchy is necessary for the liberation of oppressed people, and this is right Black women and men faced all this oppression due to the people of power wanting to control and capitalism only made it easier for those in power to take advantage of Black people their often the main victims of the attacks of capitalism, imperialism, and patriarchy. As we view the history of the oppression of African American, Latino, gay, and transgender, you can see that even after all the oppression they find ways to pursue their happiest and make a change not as an individual but as a community a fitting example if the ball held in New York to demonstrate their true colors without discrimination.