- Feb 9, 2001
- 7,136
- 2,071
blackeyes....Welcome to the forums! I've been trying to answer your question for 3 hrs but I'm having serious computer problems tonight. This is my THIRD attempt...
I can't remember everything that I had written originally, but I'll do my best to answer your question as best I can. Hopefully, this version will post successfully!
How has feminism helped Black women? Approaching this as a Black woman, I can respond to this question in several ways. First of all, the feminist movement (which was never confined to White women only) has helped to put issues related to women on a public, private and political agenda. Any type of "ism" is not good, in my opinion, because they are designed to oppress and confine people to certain roles and responsibilities because of a human characteristic that is beyond an individual's or group's control.
Living in a male-dominated society, women used to fare unequal treatment politically, economically and socially in America. I personally don't believe that women should be treated differently just because she's a woman. I believe that women should be "free" to do whatever they choose in life as should men.
There's nothing wrong with being a wife and mother, if a woman chooses that path in life. Neither is there anything wrong with being a woman corporate executive and requesting a tampon dispenser in the women's washroom or even a unisex washroom in the workplace.
The feminist movement has helped Black women to also gain better access to colleges/universities, broader access to career choices and college degrees.
In the workplace, the feminist movement has helped Black women to better childcare benefits, maternity leave policies, protection against inappropriate treatment in the workplace, even to be able to address what she might perceive as sex discrimination in hiring and promotion opportunities.
Economically, access to credit and the opportunity for her to build a credit history without the co-signature/approval of a man, right to expect equal pay for equal work.
Health-wise, better research about diseases that affect women and women of color, greater control of her body and freedom to enjoy being sexual, right to say "No" and not be raped by husband, lover or acquaintance.
Just a few examples of the way I see how the feminist movement has helped Black women. It has increased her chances of being "free" as a woman, just as the Black movement is (should be) doing because she's Black.
Peace!
I can't remember everything that I had written originally, but I'll do my best to answer your question as best I can. Hopefully, this version will post successfully!
How has feminism helped Black women? Approaching this as a Black woman, I can respond to this question in several ways. First of all, the feminist movement (which was never confined to White women only) has helped to put issues related to women on a public, private and political agenda. Any type of "ism" is not good, in my opinion, because they are designed to oppress and confine people to certain roles and responsibilities because of a human characteristic that is beyond an individual's or group's control.
Living in a male-dominated society, women used to fare unequal treatment politically, economically and socially in America. I personally don't believe that women should be treated differently just because she's a woman. I believe that women should be "free" to do whatever they choose in life as should men.
There's nothing wrong with being a wife and mother, if a woman chooses that path in life. Neither is there anything wrong with being a woman corporate executive and requesting a tampon dispenser in the women's washroom or even a unisex washroom in the workplace.
The feminist movement has helped Black women to also gain better access to colleges/universities, broader access to career choices and college degrees.
In the workplace, the feminist movement has helped Black women to better childcare benefits, maternity leave policies, protection against inappropriate treatment in the workplace, even to be able to address what she might perceive as sex discrimination in hiring and promotion opportunities.
Economically, access to credit and the opportunity for her to build a credit history without the co-signature/approval of a man, right to expect equal pay for equal work.
Health-wise, better research about diseases that affect women and women of color, greater control of her body and freedom to enjoy being sexual, right to say "No" and not be raped by husband, lover or acquaintance.
Just a few examples of the way I see how the feminist movement has helped Black women. It has increased her chances of being "free" as a woman, just as the Black movement is (should be) doing because she's Black.
Peace!