black woman or

[Professor]

they never said - the question was just described as damning

[Sistermadly]

The late (great) poet Essex Hemphill, when asked whether he was black first or gay first answered a similar question this way:

(Pardon the graphic nature of the comment)

"It's like separating my left n*t from my right."

So to me, asking me whether I am a woman first or African American first is asking me to divide myself in half to better please others, rather than drawing from all of the experiences I've lived as an African American woman in the West. I can't divorce my gender from my ethnicity, nor should I have to/be asked to.

[Eclipse]

Originally posted by abaici
AH, that makes things more difficult. Well, I guess it's time for me to pull out my Spelman card. I cannot be either/or. One does not come before the other. I am both equally. Historically, if we look at the Black woman's role in the Feminist movement and the Civil Rights/Black Power movement, we were not treated or viewed as equals. So, I cannot choose. Just as white females do not understand me, often times I feel that Black men do not as well.

You sound like you took a class from Dr. Beverly Guy-Sheftall!

[abaici]

Originally posted by Eclipse
You sound like you took a class from Dr. Beverly Guy-Sheftall!

Actually, nope! I did sit in her class one day though. I was a history major, so I took most of my classes with Dr. Gomez. Also, my graduate studies focused on Black women in liberation movements throughout the African Diaspora. I examined, them within the context of the Black Panther Party, UNIA, and ANC. Interesting stuff.

[AKA_Monet]

I believe my answer lies somewhere in this post:

Y'all is lucky to be called anything, but...

Much less a Human Being...

And forget a Child of God...

[rho4life]

For me, some times I am more aware of my gender [ie when the line at an event is twice as long for women as it is for men to go to the rest room ]

Other times, I'm the only person of color, or the only Af-Am in the room. Earlier today I overheard some people desribing someone, included in the description was that she was Black. Once I walked back in the room, they kept trying to describe her, but never referred to her race again.

When it comes to terminology, when I was in college [playing the Anthro major card ] and WAY more PC, I cared more. Now I just want to deal w/ people who aren't offensive. Anyone who looks at me knows that my heritage includes people from many different countries, but in America, I check the box for Black or African American. Just don't call me a ni**er!

For female terminology, why isn't there an equivalent for "guys"? "girls" has a somewhat dimimutive quality to it. "ladies" has a bit of can't wear a skirt w/o a slip on underneath.

[SummerChild]

Originally posted by abaici
Historically, if we look at the Black woman's role in the Feminist movement and the Civil Rights/Black Power movement, we were not treated or viewed as equals. So, I cannot choose. Just as white females do not understand me, often times I feel that Black men do not as well.

Good point Soror Abaici,
You're right. Personally, my gut reaction would be to say that I am a Black woman. I am still contemplating how I would be able to communicate this to the group of non-Black women w/out alienating them. I like your statement that you are both equally.

SC

[SummerChild]

Originally posted by rho4life


For female terminology, why isn't there an equivalent for "guys"? "girls" has a somewhat dimimutive quality to it. "ladies" has a bit of can't wear a skirt w/o a slip on underneath.

That's interesting Rho4life,
I prefer "ladies," because I agree that "girls" has a dimunitive quality to it. I don't see a "lady" as someone who has to necessarily be so prim and proper as to always do things such as wear a slip under her skirt, etc. I see a "lady" as someone who does what is proper and carries herself in a respectful way. If a slip isn't needed, then I wouldn't wear one and would still consider myself to be a "lady."

SC

[ClassyLady]

Originally posted by Sistermadly
I can't divorce my gender from my ethnicity, nor should I have to/be asked to.

I must agree with others, like abaici, in that I cannot separate the two. Being African American certainly has a major effect on many of my views and reactions, as does being a woman. I cannot separate one from the other.

[UpPinkies]

I am a black women!!!

rho4life your situation reminds me of a situation that happened...

One summer I was a security beat at the Zoo. Well, kids always got lost and at this particular time a black get got lost and we went out to look for him. Well, they described that boy, but did not give me his race. I called in to ask his race and they asked me why...my response...so I can eliminate half of the children in the zoo that is why is race is important. I thought it was proper at this time to know the kid's race because I can try to find the kid faster.

[Sugar_N_Spice]

Originally posted by ClassyLady
I must agree with others, like abaici, in that I cannot separate the two. Being African American certainly has a major effect on many of my views and reactions, as does being a woman. I cannot separate one from the other.

I concurr. Most people who've studied feminism, esp. Black feminism, by now should know that's an inappropriate and loaded question.

[wrigley]

I hope no one minds by me responding. As a feminist who is white but I'm first generation American so my ties to my ethnic roots are very strong. I find that questioned posed by the womens group very offensive. Shame on them.

Thanks for reccommending that book Peaches n Cream.