Ashanti Prendergast Discussion 11

When I started reading “The Power of Identity Politics,” I learned a lot more about identity politics. I learned that it was politics based on experiences and liberation for yourself. I think that’s important because a lot of movements aren’t too focused on helping certain people, and it makes them feel excluded. This can be said for BLM. This movement doesn’t apply to black women, black queers, or black trans people. We don’t get a lot of media coverage when something happens to us, and we don’t get nearly as many protestors when it comes to fighting for our lives. It’s unfortunate, but it’s true.

In “Too Latina to be Black, Too Black to be Latina,” I thought how scary it must have felt for the author to be caught in the middle of a race crisis. The fact that she felt like she needed to pick one I think this touches on another topic that isn’t talked about a lot. This is a reality for a lot of mixed-race children. I also thought about how diverse New York is. The author described it as a melting pot, and that is how New York really is. You see, people from all different backgrounds, races, and ethnicities come together. Not to say that we don’t have moments like that in New York, but it’s less prevalent. A topic I’d love for us to explore is women’s safety, especially on public transportation or while traveling. Amidst what’s been happening in New York, I think safety is really important to discuss.

7 thoughts on “Ashanti Prendergast Discussion 11

  1. Miranda C.

    Hi Ashanti, you made a really good point about the BLM movement. We see them ban together really for unjust police treatment or racial injustice but never really specifically for a black trans or a black woman etc. and even when they do the media and protesting is short lived I definitely agree with that and I feel we should really be advocating for all mistreatment or fairness among the minority community we can do so much more together and the hierarchy knowing that is a possibility probably scares the hell out of them .. good post!!

  2. Melissa

    Ashanti, you expressed truth in your discussion i agree with every word you said regarding how all these a l movements aren’t too focused on helping certain people,and that it makes them feel excluded. This can be said for Black Lives Matters also. This movement i have never noticed it apply to black women, black queers, or black trans people. They do not get a lot of media coverage when something happens to them, and they don’t get much protection when it comes to fighting for their lives.

  3. antione malave

    I would kindly disagree, while I don’t support BLM i have seen black queer and trans people in marches . I do however what your stating works both ways thou . Why would you want a group that states black lives matter to extend and olive branch to a specific group that it already encompasses ?

    1. Brianne Waychoff

      I think it depends on context and goal. Coalition building is a very important strategy in activism. While it doesn’t always work, the focus is on coming together over a shared goal. That doesn’t mean the groups have all the same opinions and ideas, but they work together on something specific that benefits them both. This can be very powerful and also a way to bridge communication across differences.

  4. Brianne Waychoff

    I would like to point out that BLM was started by THREE BLACK WOMEN. At least one of these women is queer. I have been to a number of BLM marches and have found them to be pretty diverse. However, that may not be the mainstream coverage. You are correct, though, that the movement has concentrated on the deaths of black men. It’s also true that a lot of different groups are operating under “BLM” but aren’t officially BLM. So it’s complicated.

  5. Catherine

    Hello Ashanti, you raised a really interesting point in your post. I agree that BLM mainly focuses on police brutality toward black men, and leaves other important black women or black queer issues aside. About the other reading, yes it’s very scary to feel that you don’t completely fit in, and no one can really understand everything you’re going through.

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