The Power of Self Definition in Feminism of the African Diaspora

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It is generally believed that feminism originated in the West, for over time, it has assumed the role of ‘science’ (Mangena, 2003). As a science, western feminism insists that it should be adopted by women all over the globe and used to deal with their specific and foundational problems. However, women of the African diaspora have come to deny such universality and define their own struggle. Uprooted from their motherland and sent to lands in Latin America and the United States, Black women experience unique intersection of racism and sexism. Furthermore, it is through self-definition and assertion that women of the African diaspora come together to fight for freedom, justice, and equality.
Whether through colonialism or feminism, White people have always insisted on their way of living as the correct way. Moreover, Whites often travel to other worlds in order to bring civilization and to save the savages from themselves. Traditionally, many White feminist scholars have not included Black women voices in their circles. This historical suppression of Black women’s ideas has had a pronounced influence on feminist theory (Spurlin, 2010). With this said, one pattern of suppression is that of omission. This is evident through Black women having been silenced in their struggles. Another pattern of suppression lies in what Hill-Collins describes as “paying lip service to the need for diversity” (2009). This occurs while changing little regarding to one’s own practice. In this instance, White women admit that they are not qualified to speak of Black women’s experiences because they are not black. However, they often include safe, “hand-picked” Black women’s voices to avoid or counteract criticisms that they are racist (Collins, 2009). Eit...

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Rivera Lassén, A. (2012). Black Girls Ride Tricycles Too: Thoughts from the Identity of an Afro-Descendant and Feminist Woman. Women Warriors of the Afro-Latina Diaspora (67-76). Houston: Arte Público Press. Print.
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