Black Feminism Is Alive In 2011, But Where Is It Heading?

Noted scholar Beverly Guy-Sheftall, the former president of the National Women’s Studies Association and a pioneer in black feminism, was asked by The Root to weigh in on the role that feminism plays in African-American lives, from its role in hip-hop to black men embracing the term, to where she sees the movement heading today.

“As we celebrate Women’s History Month this March, it is important to reflect upon the continuing struggle of women around the globe to live better lives — in peace and with justice. Given the horrific circumstances facing our sisters and brothers over the past weeks in Tunisia, Bahrain, Egypt, Ivory Coast and now Libya, it is imperative that we envision a world in which every one of us is free from the ravages of poverty, greed, discrimination, war and authoritarian regimes.

It is my black feminist politics that propels me always to think deeply about the human condition: global realities, especially as they affect people of color, women and children; and the urgency of our need to eliminate racism, sexism, classism, ableism, homophobia, religious intolerance, xenophobia and all other oppressions that plague humans wherever they live.

Despite the importance of the politics of feminism and all of the ways in which it addresses oppression of all varieties, I still find myself having to defend my allegiances to the goals of women’s movements around the world. I am still challenged about my self-identification as a black feminist. So I want to say what I mean when I use this term….” READ THE REST HERE!

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