WGS 100- Combahee River Collective Statement PDF

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Combahee River Collective Statement● Collective black feminist meetings ● Actively committed to struggling racial, sexual, class oppressions. ● The genesis of Contemporary Black Feminism○ Black women's extremely negative relationship to the American political system (a system of white male rule) has always been determined by our membership in two oppressed racial and sexual castes ○ Black women activists-- Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Frances E. W. Harper, Ida B. Wells Barnett, and Mary Church Terrell ○ A Black feminist presence has evolved in connection with the second wave of the American women's movement. ○ Black and working women were involved, but the reactionary forces of racism and elitism prevented them from participating. ○ The National Black Feminist Organization (NBFO) is a separate Black feminist group. ○ Racial politics and racism are pervasive factors in our lives. ● What We Believe○ The belief is that Black women are inherently valuable and liberation is necessary. ○ Their oppression is embodied in the concept of identity politics. ○ Sexual politics is also a huge factor along with class and race. ○ The destruction of the political-economic system of capitalism and imperialism is a necessity for liberation. ○ The personal is political. ○ Examined the multilayer structure of Black women’s lives. ● Problems in Organizing Black Feminists○ Difficult to organize around Black feminist issues. ■ One of the reasons was to address a whole range of oppressions and not only just one or two. ■ Did not have class or race privilege to rely upon. ■ No minimal access to resources and power. ■ Very low values were placed upon Black women’s psyches. ■ The reaction of Black men to feminism was negative as they felt threatened. ○ Thro9ugh writing and distribution of work, they could demonstrate the reality of the politics to the other Black women for more involvement. ● Black Feminist Issues and Projects○ Organizing around welfare and daycare concerns. ○ Issues and projects that collective members have actually worked on are sterilization abuse, abortion rights, battered women, rape, and health care. ○ Workshops and educationals on Black feminism on college campuses, at women's conferences, and high school women.

○ One major concern was to publicly address racism in the white women's movement ○ Eliminating racism in the white women's movement is by definition work for white women to do, but we will continue to speak to and demand accountability on this issue....