Strategies for Black Queer Feminist Activism

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1 Strategies for Black Queer Feminist Activism Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Course code: Course Name Instructor’s Name Date

2 Strategies for Black Queer Feminist Activism Introduction Black Queer Feminism is a theoretical framework for examining and battling black queer people's intersectional oppressions. Black feminism, queer theory, and critical race theory are all represented. This movement arose as a result of the marginalization and erasure of black queer voices in mainstream feminist and LGBTQ movements (Gouws,3) . The subtle relationships between gender, race, sexual orientation, and other identity markers that determine how individuals experience privilege and oppression are recognized by Black Queer Feminism. The fundamental purpose of Black Queer Feminism is to dispel the harmful cultural beliefs that continue to stigmatize and caricature black queer people (Gouws,5) . It recognizes the need of putting black queer people's experiences and perspectives front and center in any discussion about social justice and liberation. Around the middle of the twentieth century, a movement known as Black Queer Feminist Action emerged in the United States. It addresses the intersectional issues of racism, sexism, and homophobia that afflict Black queer people. The movement heavily draws on the ideas of Black feminist theorists such as Patricia Hill Collins, Audre Lorde, and Bell Hooks, who sought to challenge the boundaries of standard feminist theory, which mostly ignored the experiences of queer and women of color (Gouws,6) . The Combahee River Collective was created in the 1970s and is one of the oldest and most influential Black Queer Feminist groups. They were a group of Black women who recognized the interplay of race, gender, and sexual orientation and worked for social justice and liberation for all Black people, particularly queer Black people. They coined the term identity politics, which refers to the idea that personal histories and identities should impact political activity and organization (Gouws,7) . The collective issued the Combahee River Collective Declaration, which has since become a foundation of Black Queer Feminist

3 Action. The proclamation argues that all forms of oppression should be fought, and that the struggles of Black women are intrinsically related to those of other marginalized groups. Today, black queer feminist activism is a critical force in the fight for social justice and equality. The purpose of this research is to investigate the successful strategies used by Black queer feminist activists to confront different types of oppression, such as racism, sexism, and heterosexism. It will be accomplished through investigating the use of participatory research, friendship and solidarity networks, as well as rallies and protests, in the context of Black queer feminist activism. The purpose of this investigation is to emphasize the relevance of these strategies in the battle against oppression and to contribute to a better understanding of the experiences of Black queer feminists. Strategies of Black Queer Feminism Activism One of the core elements of Black Queer Feminist Action is to center the viewpoints and experiences of Black Queer people. The concept acknowledges that Black Queer people are the best experts on their own experiences and must take the lead in generating solutions to the difficulties they face (Loureiro and Gabriela Silva,53) . To better effectively address the numerous and multifaceted issues that Black Queer people face, activists must emphasize their viewpoints and experiences. Another strategy used by Black Queer Feminist Action is the development of partnerships with other disadvantaged groups. This method recognizes the interconnectivity of oppression and the reality that when numerous oppressed groups join together, the battle for justice is strengthened (Loureiro and Gabriela Silva,56) . By making partnerships with other groups, Black Queer Feminist Activists may utilize their collective power to bring about structural change that benefits all oppressed people.

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4 Taking on public issues to call attention to how they impact Black Queer people is also part of Black Queer Feminist Activism. This includes protests, sit-ins, and other forms of civil disobedience. Direct action has the potential to influence attitudes and legislation while also drawing attention to the difficulties that disadvantaged people face (Loureiro and Gabriela Silva,58) . Finally, Black Queer Feminist Activists advocate for legislative changes that address the issues that Black Queer people face. The area includes the advocacy of anti-discrimination laws, inclusive healthcare rules, and other measures that improve fairness and justice for all people. By advocating for legislative changes, Black Queer Feminist Activists have the potential to effect systemic change that benefits all oppressed people. Participatory Research Participatory research is a methodological practice that involves individuals or communities affected by an issue in the research process. It is a collaborative strategy that seeks to allow research subjects to actively engage in all phases of the inquiry, from developing research questions to analyzing and sharing the findings (Brewer and Rose, 93). Participatory research recognizes the talents and information that participants provide to the research process and emphasizes the need of connecting and trusting researchers and participants. Participatory research has been critical in Black feminist action because it placed Black women's experiences and perspectives at the center of the research process. According to Black feminist scholars, traditional research approaches often fall short of reflecting the complexities of Black women's experiences and may perpetuate oppressive power relations within the study process (Brewer and Rose, 95). Participatory research, on the other hand, allows Black women to influence study themes and methodology and may be used to generate knowledge based on Black women's real- life experiences.

5 The Combahee River Collective's 1977 Black Feminist Declaration is one example of participatory research in Black feminist activism. The proclamation was based on the collective's experiences as Black feminists and contained information on the collective's research technique, which included conducting consciousness-raising sessions with other Black women to learn more about their experiences ( Updegrove, Alexander H., et al,87). The proclamation was a watershed moment in the history of Black feminism, underlining the need of include African women's experiences in feminist theory and practice. Another example of participatory research in the Black feminist movement is the Black Women's Health Project, which was founded in 1983 ( Updegrove, Alexander H., et al, 87). African women served as both researchers and participants in the project, which used a participatory research technique to investigate the health issues that these women faced. A Black Women's Health Book: Speaking for Ourselves, a project report that offered a comprehensive summary of Black women's health issues, is still considered as a fundamental work in the field of Black feminist health activism. Participatory research has lately been employed by Black feminist activists to address issues such as police brutality and reproductive justice. For example, the Black Youth Project conducted a participatory research project to investigate how young Black people interact with police ( Updegrove, Alexander H., et al, 93). The study requires participants to get research methodological training in order to gather information on the impact of police violence on young people's lives. A study from the program, The Ferguson Syllabus, acted as a resource for educators and activists interested in learning more about the 2014 events in Ferguson, Missouri, and its repercussions on Black communities. Another example of participatory research in Black feminist movement is the Sister Song Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective ( Updegrove, Alexander H., et al, 101). Using a participatory research technique, the collective

6 investigates how reproductive justice issues affect Black women and other women of color. The collective has produced a number of publications and resources that highlight Black women's and other women of color's reproductive justice experiences and perspectives ( Updegrove, Alexander H., et al, 104). Women of color are both researchers and research participants. By highlighting Black women's experiences and perspectives in the research process, participatory research has played an important role in Black feminist activity. It has been utilized to create knowledge based on the lived experiences of Black women and to challenge traditional research approaches that reinforce oppressive power relations ( Updegrove, Alexander H., et al, 107). Participatory research remains an important methodological tool for amplifying the views of marginalized groups in research. It has been used in a number of Black feminist activist scenarios, ranging from investigating health issues to combating police brutality and reproductive justice. Creating Networks of Friendship and Solidarity Friendship and solidarity networks are formed through connections between individuals or groups that have similar goals, ideals, and interests. Mutual trust, support, and cooperation underpin these networks (Evans, 3) . In the context of Black feminist activity, friendship and solidarity networks are critical for cultivating a sense of community and collective strength among Black women. These networks offer a space for Black women to connect, share experiences, and collaborate to promote social justice. Friendship and solidarity networks are critical in Black Feminist activism because of their ability to combat systemic marginalization and injustice (Evans, 7) . Black women face several forms of oppression as a result of their skin color, gender, and social status. Black women may form friendship and solidarity networks, create connections of trust and support, and fight together to challenge oppressive systems.

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7 The Combahee River Collective is an excellent example of a Black feminist friendship and support organization. In the 1970s, black feminist activists founded the Combahee River Collective to resist many forms of oppression, including racism, sexism, and homophobia (Szczygielska and Marianna, 128). The activity of the organization was founded on the premise that in order for Black women to be free, everyone must be free. Another example is Tarana Burke's #MeToo movement, which she started in 2006 and garnered a lot of attention in 2017. The campaign sought to raise public awareness of sexual assault and harassment, particularly in the workplace (Szczygielska and Marianna, 137). As a consequence of the campaign, women came forward to share their stories and provide support to one another, establishing a network of solidarity among survivors of sexual assault. The Black Lives Matter movement is another example of a network of support and friendship among Black female activists. In response to Trayvon Martin's shooting murder, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi founded the campaign in 2013 (Szczygielska and Marianna, 141). Since then, the movement has grown into a worldwide network of activists dedicated to the abolition of institutionalized racism, police brutality, and other forms of oppression. SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective is a national organization that brings together women of color to fight for reproductive justice (Szczygielska and Marianna, 157). The organization's mission is to advance the legal right to abortion for all women, particularly those who have historically been marginalized and excluded from the mainstream reproductive rights movement. Demonstrations and Protests A demonstration is the public expression of a group's thoughts or feelings, while a protest is an organized public representation of opposition or displeasure with a certain issue or policy.

8 Protests and demonstrations are critical tools for advancing social and political change in the context of Black Feminist movement (Minai, 33) . Black Feminist activism is a movement that advocates for the rights and equality of Black women in society. Protests and demonstrations are critical to this movement because they allow Black women to voice their concerns and demand change. They offer a platform for Black women to raise awareness of the issues they face and to persuade the government and other stakeholders to take action. One form of Black Feminist activity is the 2017 Women's March. The protest, which took place in Washington, D.C. Protests against Donald Trump's election as President of the United States were staged in New York City, among other cities throughout the world . Millions of women, including many Black women, marched because they were concerned about how the new administration might damage their rights and freedoms. The #SayHerName campaign is another example of a protest in Black Feminist activism. This campaign was launched in 2014 in order to draw attention to the frequently overlooked incidences of police brutality against Black women (Singh, 1706) . The campaign aimed to raise public awareness of the violence that Black women face at the hands of law officers and to urge for those responsible to be held accountable. The Black Lives Matter movement is another example of the importance of protests and rallies in Black Feminist activism. The campaign, which began in the aftermath of Trayvon Martin's death in 2012, has grown around the globe, calling for an end to systemic racism and police mistreatment of Black people, especially Black women (Singh, 1709) . The group has held a number of protests and demonstrations, including marches, sit-ins, and rallies, to raise awareness about the need for reform. The Me-Too movement is another example of the power of rallies and demonstrations in Black Feminist activism. The purpose of the 2017 movement is to raise public awareness of sexual assault and harassment, especially in the workplace (Singh,

9 1718) . The organization has organized many demonstrations and marches, including the #MeToo Survivors' March in 2018, which was attended by hundreds of sexual assault survivors. Conclusion Black Queer Feminist activism has a long history of being a powerful force in the battle for social justice and liberation. From its beginnings in the Civil Rights Movement to its current work in intersectional activism, Black Queer Feminist activism has opposed oppressive structures and called attention to the ways in which multiple identities overlap and influence the lives of disadvantaged people. This campaigning has been critical in advancing the rights and visibility of Black LGBTQ+ persons and other disadvantaged groups, as well as in building a more fair and equitable society. Despite enormous challenges and criticism, Black Queer Feminist activists have persisted in their quest of justice and equality. They have laid the groundwork for future generations to continue on this critical task by relentlessly questioning and changing prevailing stereotypes about gender, race, and sexuality. As we go forward, it is vital to recognize and honor the legacy of Black Queer Feminist activism while also continuing to support and elevate the voices of those who have historically been overlooked and repressed. References Brewer, Rose M. "Black feminism and womanism." Companion to feminist studies (2020): 91- 104. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781119314967.ch6 Evans, Elizabeth, and Éléonore Lépinard. "Confronting privileges in feminist and queer movements." Intersectionality in Feminist and Queer Movements . Routledge, 2019. 1-26. Gouws, Amanda, and Azille Coetzee. "Women's movements and feminist activism." Agenda 33.2 (2019): 1-8 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10130950.2019.1619263

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10 Loureiro, Gabriela Silva. "To be black, queer and radical: Centring the epistemology of Marielle Franco." Open Cultural Studies 4.1 (2020): 50- 58. https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/culture-2020-0005/html Minai, Naveen, and Sara Shroff. "Yaariyan, Baithak, Gupshup: Queer Feminist Formations and the Global South." Kohl: A Journal for Body and Gender Research 5.1 (2019): 31-44. Singh, Taveeshi, and Tayler J. Mathews. "Facilitating queer of color feminist co-mentorship: reflections on an online archive of scholar-activism." Gender, Place & Culture 26.12 (2019): 1701-1720. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0966369X.2019.1636768 Szczygielska, Marianna. "'Good change ‘and Better Activism: Feminist Responses to Backsliding Gender Policies in Poland." Gendering Democratic Backsliding in Central and Eastern Europe: A Comparative Agenda . Central European University Press, 2019. 120-160. Updegrove, Alexander H., et al. "Red states and Black lives: Applying the racial threat hypothesis to the Black Lives Matter movement." Justice Quarterly 37.1 (2020): 85-108.

Strategies for Black Queer Feminist Activism

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