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A Short Introduction to Black Feminism
As a student of the arts, it is necessary to develop a critical understanding of societal structures that affect access, representation, and exclusion within the arts according to gender, race, and class. This guide aims to outline resources that will help students develop a basic understanding of Black feminism while also providing a platform for the work of Black women artists.
A basic theoretical concept within Black feminism is 'Intersectionality,' [1] a term coined by scholar of critical race theory Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 that posits you cannot divorce race and class from discussions of gender equality.
Considering the sidelining of Black women and their concerns throughout the feminist movements in the U.S., [2] a need to exclusively and specifically develop a Black feminist theory for and by Black women materialized.
In this guide, you will find articles, fiction/prose/non-fiction books that will introduce you to specific theoretical concepts, writings, art and more that form the backbone of Black feminist theory. Further notes are below:
[1] "intersectionality, n.". OED Online. December 2022. Oxford University Press. https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/429843?redirectedFrom=intersectionality+& (accessed January 19, 2023).
[2] Davis, Angela Y. Women, Race & Class. 1st Vintage books ed. New York: Vintage Books, 1983.
This guide was curated and written by Barbara Calderon. Feel free to e-mail me with any other suggestions, comments, issues etc.
Books of Note
The Truth That Never Hurts by Publication Date: 2000
Ain't I a Woman by Publication Date: 1999
Black Feminist Thought by Publication Date: 1999
Talking Back by Publication Date: 1999
Women, Race, and Class by Publication Date: 1983
Anthologies / Readers
The Black Feminist Reader by Publication Date: 2000
Reading Black, Reading Feminist by Publication Date: 1990
Websites of Note
- Black FeminismsThis website is a terrific resource for black feminist resources that include infographics, academic resources, political and pop culture commentary. It is run by scholar Melissa Brown, a doctoral candidate at University of Maryland, College Park.
Black Feminists of Note
The following women created important work that has shaped Black feminist thought. Each name links to an article or biography from different publishers and sources. Please check out the different sites as they all have reputable information.
Combahee River Collective -- Demita Frazier, Beverly Smith, and Barbara Smith
Institutional Resources, Archives etc.
Suggest a Purchase
Use our Purchase Request Form to request library materials for purchase.
EBOOKS
A Black Women's History of the United States
Berry, Daina Ramey., and Kali Nicole. Gross. A Black Women’s History of the United States. Beacon Press, 2020.
How We Get Free: Black Feminism and the Combahee River Collective
Taylor, Keeanga-Yamahtta. How We Get Free : Black Feminism and the Combahee River Collective. Chicago, Illinois: Haymarket Books, 2017.
Beyoncé in Formation: Remixing Black Feminism
Tinsley, Omise’eke Natasha. Beyoncé in Formation : Remixing Black Feminism. Austin: University of Texas, 2018.
Shadow Bodies: Black Women, Ideology, Representation, and Politics
Julia S. Jordan-Zachery. Shadow Bodies : Black Women, Ideology, Representation, and Politics. New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 2017.
Iconic : Decoding Images of the Revolutionary Black Woman
Johnson, Lakesia D. Iconic : Decoding Images of the Revolutionary Black Woman. Waco, Texas: Baylor University Press, 2012.
Black Sexual Politics
Hill Collins, Patricia. Black Sexual Politics : African Americans, Gender, and the New Racism. New York: Routledge, 2004.
Where We Stand : Class Matters
hooks, bell. Where We Stand : Class Matters. New York: Routledge, 2000.
Streaming Video
This feature length documentary is available to stream via Academic Video Online
- Academic Video Online This link opens in a new window
This film Born in Flames (1983) directed by Lizzie Borden is available to stream on Kanopy.
- Kanopy This link opens in a new window
Kanopy is a streaming video platform with a "Netflix-like" user experience and a broad, curated selection of documentaries, indie movies, classics, feature films and training videos. Films can be watched from anywhere, anytime by current students, faculty, and staff.
This documentary from 2021 is streaming on Swank.
- Swank This link opens in a new window
Swank is a streaming film platform with a curated list of available films from major motion picture studios.
Lectures from the Open Web
A People's Journey African American Women and the Struggle for Equality published by the National Museum of African American History & Culture August 29, 2017
The Urgency of Intersectionality by Kimberlé Crenshaw from TEDWomen 2016
Black Female Voices: Who is Listening - A public dialogue between bell hooks + Melissa Harris-Perry recorded at the New School November 8, 2013
DVDs
Helpful Articles
- The Combahee River Collective StatementTaylor, Keeanga-Yamahtta, ed. How We Get Free : Black Feminism and the Combahee River Collective. La Vergne: Haymarket Books, 2017.
- Until Black Women Are Free, None of Us Will Be FreeTaylor, Keeanga-Yamahtta, "Until Black Women Are Free, None of Us Will Be Free," The New Yorker, July 20, 2022.
- The Historical Evolution of Black Feminist Theory and PraxisTaylor, Ula. “The Historical Evolution of Black Feminist Theory and Praxis.” Journal of Black Studies 29, no. 2 (1998): 234–53. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2668091.
Fiction / Poetry / Prose
There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé by Publication Date: 2017
Lemonade by Publication Date: 2017
We Should All Be Feminists by Publication Date: 2015
Bad Feminist by Publication Date: 2014
Citizen by Publication Date: 2014
Sister Outsider by Publication Date: 2007
Morning Haiku by Publication Date: 2010
Letter to My Daughter by Publication Date: 2009
The Collected Poetry of Nikki Giovanni, 1968-1998 by Publication Date: 2007
