The Myth of Black Solidarity and the Sexist Oppression of Black Women
Format
Oral Presentation
Faculty Mentor Name
Jeffrey Hole
Faculty Mentor Department
English
Abstract/Artist Statement
Black solidarity is an ambiguous concept that has been held to throughout the history of black people in America. Black solidarity is understood to be the way in which black people can actively and most effectively resist the duress white supremacy. However, I will argue that black solidarity is in fact a superimposition of institutional hierarchies within the black community. In that, the political and social needs of the least marginalized of black people: middle-class, heterosexual black men, are attended to, whereas, the needs of the poor, homosexual, and women are not. This creates a black community that mirrors oppressive white supremacist formation, steeped in sexism, classism, and heterosexism. I will specifically focus on the sexist oppression acted on black women and how this oppression is justified by black people who are invested in patriarchy but do this by arguing for the concept of black solidarity. But also, I will grapple with how the construction of the authentic black woman is entrapped in an acceptance of sexist norms and oppression. In this way, inauthentic black solidarity disempowers black women.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Room 215
Start Date
21-4-2012 1:00 PM
End Date
21-4-2012 5:00 PM
The Myth of Black Solidarity and the Sexist Oppression of Black Women
DeRosa University Center, Room 215
Black solidarity is an ambiguous concept that has been held to throughout the history of black people in America. Black solidarity is understood to be the way in which black people can actively and most effectively resist the duress white supremacy. However, I will argue that black solidarity is in fact a superimposition of institutional hierarchies within the black community. In that, the political and social needs of the least marginalized of black people: middle-class, heterosexual black men, are attended to, whereas, the needs of the poor, homosexual, and women are not. This creates a black community that mirrors oppressive white supremacist formation, steeped in sexism, classism, and heterosexism. I will specifically focus on the sexist oppression acted on black women and how this oppression is justified by black people who are invested in patriarchy but do this by arguing for the concept of black solidarity. But also, I will grapple with how the construction of the authentic black woman is entrapped in an acceptance of sexist norms and oppression. In this way, inauthentic black solidarity disempowers black women.