Womanism
Being a feminist means believing in equal rights for all genders. It’s NOT about hating men or believing women are better than men. Unfortunately, however, feminism did not always include the perspectives and experiences of Black women.
There have been times throughout history where White feminists, such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, did not support the advancement of Black people, specifically Black men. Most notably this happened after Black men were granted the right to vote via the 15th amendment. Stanton’s comment when discussing voting rights for Black men stated, “We educated, virtuous white women are more worthy of the vote.”
Terms to Know
Feminism: the belief in and advocacy of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes expressed especially through organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests
Womanism: A form of feminism focused especially on the conditions and concerns of Black women . Use of this term has been supported by Black suffragist and advocacy groups such as the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs and the Combahee River Collective
The concept and idea of “Black feminism” has been discussed before Walker coined “womanism.” Combahee River Collective, a group of Black lesbian feminists, wrote about importance of black feminism and the multiple oppressions women of color face at the same time. They argued the feminist and Civil Rights movement did not openly address the needs of Black women and Black lesbians.
Clenora Hudson-Weems- coined the “Africana Womanism” so it is specific to African women and women of African descent focusing on the realties struggles that women from African descent face. There are a total of 18 characteristics (Hudson-Weems 1998, p.1814-1815).
A self namer
A self-definer
Family centred
Genuine in sisterhood
Strong
In concert with male in struggle
Whole
Authentic
A flexible role-player
Respected
Recognized
Spiritual
Male compatible
Respectful of elders
Adaptable
Ambitious
Mothering
Nurturing
Why is Womanism Important?
The advocacy of white suffragettes were focused on white women and discounted the Black women.
Black men were not always supportive of the goals of Black women which led to Black women feeling excluded from two different identities, gender and race.
Addressing gender oppression was primarily based on the white women's experiences.
Addressing race oppression was primarily based on Black men's experiences.
Therefore, the inclusion of Black women’s issues cannot assumed when feminist and anti-racist movements addressed issues.
Hudson-Weems, C. 1998. Africana womanism: A historical, global perspective for women of African descent, in Call and response: the Riverside anthology of the African American literary tradition, edited by PL Hill, et al. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin: 1812-1815.