she takes care of her children
(fathered by one man) and allows
her husband to assume masculine
responsibilities by providing for
his family sufficiently.
Superficially, Womanism, or
Black feminism, gives voice to
Black females, which the (white)
Women’s Movement excludes.
Womanism aims to reform welfare
organizations and increase skilled
labor opportunities for Blacks.
However, to proclaim Womanism
as a means by which to elevate the
socioeconomic status of Black
women thereby providing racial
upliftment only substantiates the
myth that all Black women lack
financial independence and famil
ial stability. Underlying implica
tions of their goals conclude that
Black women remain in a subordi
nate, disadvantaged position in
society. It simultaneously dimin
ishes the prospect that highly edu
cated, independent, middle to
upper class Black women do exist.
Ignoring the possibility that they
might assume positions of power,
the existing trend within Black
feminism of focusing on poverty-
stricken, working class Blacks
serves as a detriment to Black
women as a whole. It internalizes
derogatory stereotypes lingering
from slavery and promotes them as
fact today. Thus, the time has
come for Black women to fight
back, and give feminism a new
face.
Delving beyond the exterior
and breaking societal myths, the
new face of feminism breathes life
into a group of women traditional
ly silenced by mainstream
America. She is strong, intelli
gent, financially independent, yet
aesthetically stunning simultane
Photo: Jonathan Friday
ously. She is every college student
striving to better herself via educa
tion; she is every strong Black
woman pursuing careers of choice
and living comfortably, with or
without male accompaniment. She
is you and I.
Though still succumbing to the
double jeopardy of racism and sex
ism, Womanists exclude the afflu
ent, independent, goal-oriented
Black woman from gaining voice
in the struggle. Envisioning the
new face of feminism, I foresee a
strong, successful, independent
person that adds validity to the
existence of the “professional
Black woman.” Only upon the
emergence and recognition of
today’s successful Black woman
will we uplift and empower our
sisters in despair. So, ladies hold
your head high and aspirations
even higher; we’ve got work to do.
Black Ink
17