Women's Studies: Analysis of Black Feminism in Contemporary Society

This essay delves into the realm of black feminism, focusing on critical analyses of key texts and their lasting relevance. It examines the perspectives of the Combahee River Collective and Sojourner Truth, particularly her speech 'Ain't I a Woman?', highlighting the issues of slavery, voting rights, and the mistreatment of black women. The essay contrasts the political approach of the Collective with Truth's focus on social aspects, emphasizing how both works address the prejudices faced by the black community. It also discusses the contemporary relevance of these issues, drawing parallels to the election of Donald Trump and the ongoing struggles for equality. Through this analysis, the essay underscores the importance of understanding the historical and present-day significance of black feminism in addressing societal inequalities.

Running head: WOMEN STUDIES
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Feminism found a new expression in the 19th and 20th century due to the growing
awareness about labor, educational equality and rights for election among the women.
Notable works such as ‘A Black Feminist Statement: The Combahee River Collective’ and
‘Ain’t I a Woman?’ further focused on the rights of black women thereby providing a new
perspective towards the movement.
In the speech of ‘Ain’t I a Woman’ delivered by Sojourner Truth, she focuses on the
issues of slavery and lack of voting rights for women (Simms, 7). She also mentions how the
people from the black community should rise up against the atrocities hurled upon them by
the status quo. The treatment women as being fragile with the need to be protected is strongly
refuted by Truth along with a highlight upon how black women are disrespected and treated
in an inhumane manner.
‘A Black Feminist Statement: The Combahee River Collective’ focuses upon the
political movement of black feminism. The highlights of the statement include the genesis of
black feminism in the 20th century, their views regarding the political and social liberation of
black women, the problems of organizing the movement of black feminism and its practices
(Combahee River Collective). The similarities of the statement with the speech by Truth lies
in their portrayal of the plight of black women in the society and how they have been
mistreated in the contemporary times. The difference between the two works lies in their
approaches, that is, while the statement by the Collective is essentially political in nature,
Truth highlights the social aspect of slavery and black feminism in her speech.
The two works are applicable and relevant in the present age due to the prejudices
towards the black community that are still prevalent in the society. The repercussion of the
election of the U.S. president Donald Trump reiterated the issues that are still faced by black
women in the contemporary society (Goldstein and Hall). Thereby, Truth’s rhetorical

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question of ‘Ain’t I a Woman’ finds significance in the present age as it did in the 19th
century.

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References
Simms, Margaret C. Slipping Through the Cracks: Status of Black Women. Routledge, 2017.
Combahee River Collective. "A black feminist statement." Women's Studies Quarterly
(2014): 271-280.
Goldstein, Donna M., and Kira Hall. "Postelection surrealism and nostalgic racism in the
hands of Donald Trump." HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Theory 7.1 (2017): 397-406.