I must say, this whole month, since June 1st, I've learned so much about African American women! I really appreciate my professor, Dionne Bailey, for being driven to make this class available to a striving student like me. Often times, you never hear of a class of "just about women". Most times when you hear about women in history, especially African American women in particular, is mostly about slavery and taking care of the home. This class has really inspired me and uplifted me to press against negative stereotypes, challenge myself, to speak up, and to strive to be an "SUCCESSFUL EDUCATIONAL UPLIFTING AFRICAN AMERICAN PHENOMENAL WOMAN", to be proud, but yet humble. I've really enjoyed taking this course, but just like any good thing, eventually it comes to an end, but the class will always stick with me in spirit, to be like Ida B. Wells, speaking up, to be like Helga Crane, but rather chasing and engaging in education, and to be like Janie and "live". Good luck to all my fellow classmates also taking this course to accomplish every goal they set out to reach! (:
The quiet and humble, Camisha S. Johnson :)
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Oral Interview with my Mother, Henrietta Henderson
2. Where were you born? Sardis, MS
3. Where did you grow up? I grew up in Batesville, MS with my parents.
4. What were your parents names and occupations? My mother was Marie Tucker, and my father was Henry Kearney.
5. Do you have any siblings? Yes, I have 22 other siblings —12 of which are still living and they are: Sadie, Margaret, Cedell, Rose, Rilla, Bernice, Earnice, Hugh, William, Caroline, Valarie, and myself.
6. What was your life like growing up as a black girl in _________? Growing up in the 70s wasn’t so bad. My father worked a lot; my mother stayed home. I can remember every evening when we got home. She always had our dinner ready. My dad loved biscuits; so, we ate a lot of biscuits. I didn’t mind. I was a daddy’s girl. I went everywhere he went—his shadow. When he went to Joseph Jones Café, I was right there. When he shot pool, I shot pool. I wasn’t good though, but my dad could call them pockets and hit them every time. He gave me the nickname “Short” but it sounded like “shout”. And yes, I was name after him, Henry with the “etta” on the end for a girl. All his friends called him “Hen Kearney.” So, I was proud to be called “Hen” and I still am. I Love it because it’s a part of him. I remember he died when I was in the seventh grade. I was thirteen years old. I had been around my mother, but most days I was with my dad. So, after he passed I was lost; my mother really stepped up and really helped me a lot. We really bonded for life. She became my best friend, and one I could confide in. It wasn’t that she was never there; she always was, but I realize now that God knew my father was not going to be with us long; so, the time I spent with him made up for the time I would lose.
7. Did you ever encounter racism? Explain? Oh my goodness, yes. I can remember in the third grade. I will never forget it. We had been watching roots. They had a series going on and each night a different episode would come on. So, I was already upset after watching that. A day or so afterwards, I went to school playing on the playground minding my business; this girl (S.T) which was white called me the “N” word. I beat the stew out of her. The teacher sent us to the office and I told them what happened. They said I had no business touching her, and they sent me home for a couple of days. They did nothing to her, but from then on she had the upmost respect for me. Another incident is a story my mother told me was about my father being put in jail because his shirt tail was hanging out.
8. What privileges or setbacks do you feel that you experienced growing up a black female in the North/South? I do not feel that any privileges were given to me. Everything I have, I have worked hard for with the help of the Lord. The only setback I had was when I graduated high school and came to this college on a full scholarship; I really didn’t seize the opportunity. It was still a lot of prejudice in 1990. I stayed on campus, but still went home almost every day. In high school, everyone knew me. When I got to college, I sort of felt lost within the masses of people.
9. What, if anything, do you remember your parents telling you about race? My mother always told me that I was just as good as the next person whether they were black, red, green, or purple. It’s what you think about yourself. Don’t let anyone tell you that you aren’t somebody because I was.
10. What did your parents tell you or instill in you regarding being a woman, specifically a black woman? My mom always told me to have respect for myself and other will respect me. She told me that black women were stigmatized as being “bare-footed and pregnant.” Don’t let that be part of me.
11. Did you attend school? Yes, I attended South Panola Schools and graduated with honors. I graduated 26th of 242 students. So, I think I did pretty good.
12. Did you get married? Yes, I was married to Michael Galmore. We were young, and he had issues that I did not want to deal with that for the rest of my life. I realized at had made a terrible mistake by not listening to my mother. She had told me that he was not the one for me. I grew up in the church, and we were raised different. So, she already knew what the outcome was going to be. After about six years and four children, I met a wonderful man, Andra Henderson in 1994. I was working as a secretary at the time, and he worked in the factory. Every time I had to bring over a work order, I saw him looking. He was always so nice and cordial. So, one day I walked over and I didn’t see him. So, I walked through the plant. As I walked down the aisle, I saw him peeping over the machines. What happened next was too funny; although, at the time it scared me. While he was peeping, his jacket got caught in a machine. It was pulling him into it. Oh my, I froze. Everybody ran over trying to get his jacket out, and finally someone shut off the machine. We been inseparable every since, and that has been seventeen years ago. He is now an ordained minister in the church, and a commercial driver for Coca Cola Bottling Co for over 15 years. He’s not only my husband, but my best friend.
13. What were their relationships like with other women? In high school, I had a lot of white friends and black friends. It was when I went to college that I realized there was a difference, and people treated us differently. I currently work with white and black women, and there is still a difference. Hate to admit it, but it is. Simple as that!
14. What type of relationship do you have with black men? I am use to being around black men. I guess it from being around my father so much. Quite frankly, I’d rather work with men—less drama. I must say that it’s not just black women; it’s all women!
15. What do you think is the role of both black men and women in relationships and inside of the home should be? Well, you know me. I have to go with what the bible says. It is our job to take care of our home, children, and our husband. That is the way God intended it to be. It is the man’s job to provide for the home—bringing the bread home—as we say. I know that I work outside the home, but my first priority is the home. My home, children, or my husband should not go lacking for anything.
16. What do you think about people dating outside of their race? I’m not old school. So, it doesn’t matter to me. God made everybody. Like my mom use to say, “Anybody can put up a front, but one day that gorilla suit got to come off.” So, it is all about the person’s character, upbringing, and don’t forget the “credit.” When you make up your mind to be with someone for the rest of your life, it should be taken seriously. You don’t want anybody that will have you miserable, busted, and disgusted. You want that time to be enjoyable. If his credit is tore up and he don’t have plans to improve it, move on my sister!
17. What issues do you think most affect black Americans today? Issues today that affect black Americans are: (1) We take things for granted, (2) Our forefathers fought for all these privileges that we are enjoying today. It may not be all we want, but it is definitely better. (3) Black on Black crimes – we are killing ourselves. KKK no longer has to exist (even though they still do), we are doing it for them. (4) We have a problem of not working together – I believe we could be so much farther if we take note from ants—they work together. Everyone of us have a God-given talent that is different from the next person. We do not have to kill each other (by words or actions) to make it to our goals. AND my my (5) Don’t forget where YOU came from!! Too many of us forget. Thank God he brought you out, but don’t forget!! Umm. Umm. Umm. That’s all I have to day, Don’t forget! Try to help somebody else. My mind reflects on the scripture where it talks about the rich man and the poor man. The rich man had a chance to help the poor man, Lazarus. He was too caught up in his own selfish ways. But you know what the bible said, “when Lazarus died, he was in Abraham’s bosom… But oh when the rich man died, the bible says “in HELL he lifted up his eyes!” So, that’s all. Don’t forget!!!!
Documentary on Rape
Today we viewed a number of documentaries on rape! I know a lot about rape, but some things really stuck out to me, mainly the misinterpretations/misconceptions about rape such as:
-Black women love rough sex, so therefore, they can't be "raped".
-Black men are the main rapists.
-Most rapes are false accusations.
-The saying "She doesn't act like she was raped."
-Most rapes are done by people you dont know.
-They saying "What were you doing there? You asked for it."
I can name quite a few of these misconceptions but these few really stuck out to me! Also, there was a documentary on how religion played in rapes, mainly Islamic, how the women are to be subjective and obedient, often seen as property, rather than partner.
-Black women love rough sex, so therefore, they can't be "raped".
-Black men are the main rapists.
-Most rapes are false accusations.
-The saying "She doesn't act like she was raped."
-Most rapes are done by people you dont know.
-They saying "What were you doing there? You asked for it."
I can name quite a few of these misconceptions but these few really stuck out to me! Also, there was a documentary on how religion played in rapes, mainly Islamic, how the women are to be subjective and obedient, often seen as property, rather than partner.
Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas
In my opinion on the Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas debate, me being a female and knowing some of the factors and hardships of what she felt, I feel that rape is rape and no matter when you tell it, how you tell, and where you say it, justice should be served! I say that Hill was right in testifying against Clarence Thomas because she had a right to speak about what had happened. I feel that she may have did a little “too much”, but what’s done is done. As we say in class “it is what it is!” Thomas being elected to the supreme court was very ironic, in my opinion, and it shows that justice was not served and he was not being punished for his actions.
Women and Civil Rights
Women played a great part in the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Power Movement. For example, Rosa Parks started the movement on December 1, 1955. Women were mostly as “the men” when it came to this civil rights movement and so forth. Often, the women were called “feminists” for what they were doing. Women were very active, which was said they had to do, according to Beale. For example, Ida B. Wells called out Martin Luther King, Jr. because he was talking about something he knew nothing of. Woe was Fannie Lou Hamer! She was one courageous fed-up black woman. In an article we read about her, she spoke up and let her feelings out towards issues. She was basically saying she was fed up about how she, as a woman, was to feel "lower" than a white woman, and she wanted everyone to be on the same level, no upper class, middle class, white, black, woman, man, etc. I really admired her in this article because she had to be real bold to actually speak up and say the words that she said! She said that she wasn't fighting for equality nor to be liberated, but rather recognized just like any other person in the world, rather than a black woman being at the bottom of the chain. In my opinion, she wasn't really bashing or putting down others, but rather speaking her mind and telling the truth about things that people were afraid to say. This whole article to me basically tells me that in the end, we're all human beings trying to make a living, so why can't we just be that? [human beings making a living with no hierarchy.] It was hard for the black women to align themselves with the Women’s Lib because they didn’t want to do all that working and in the end, getting no credit for what they’ve done, according to Morrison.
Harlem!!
Harlem Renaissance was the time, period, and place where blacks expressed their thoughts through writng, poetry, jazz, paintings, and so forth. The significance of this movement was as an uplift, in my opinion, and to give blacks a “voice” and to be heard for their creativity. The Renaissance was an integral aspect of the New Negro Movement because this was the first time where blacks were basically being heard and being known for their artistic work and thinking, something positive, and something to call their own. Harlem played a major part in the Renaissance because it took place there, mainly were a lot of the blacks migrated to. Becoming a teacher, nurse, or social worker-idea was not only to have black women work because they had working; rather it was about what that work was and would do-support a push toward race motherhood. During this time, women had a new sense of career, money, birth control, and education, anything a man can do, a woman can do. McDougald’s work mainly was to uplift the negro woman, saying basically that a woman has an opportunity to measure her powers in the intellectual fields of Harlem.
The Great Migration
The Great Migration was a period in when blacks migrated North to escape the hardships, economic oppressions, and unusual cruel punishments to create better lives for themselves and their families. The African American women wanted to work in the day and to be with their families after. They felt vulnerable to white men if they had to stay as live-ins. Migrating North, black women found jobs as domestic servants or washerwomen. Their work was difficult, low-paying, and often dangerous! Their lives were basically the a little better, only excluding the oppression and the white men, but other than that, it was the same. In my opinion, I think the Great Migration was literally their only choice that they had. There was no other options, unless death.
NACW
The creation of the national organization represents another step in an internal historical process of encouraging and supporting self-determination, self-improvement, and community development. Clubs such as NACW, National Association of Colored Women, was mainly the organization that mostly uplifting their race. They wanted white women’s participation, but when it came down to it, whites were about their own race and said, basically, that what they were going through was their own problem. In “The First Step in Nation Making”, Mary Church Terrell spoke on “The Modern Woman”. She was basically saying that women need to step up and be about their business, paraphrasing, and to do more than other women, raising their kids up and instilling in them the right things so that society will eventually be right! The lasting legacy, to me, was that the black women that were apart of this organization stood up for something and spoke out to improve their personal lives, as well as their own race.
Lynchings and Rape
Between 1880 and 1935, segregation proliferated. There were whites and blacks only signs in restrooms, at drinking fountains, separate bibles for black and white witnesses, basically expressing the “separate but NOT equal.” Some racial etiquette was that blacks and whites did not shake hands, blacks didn’t look directly into whites’ eyes, blacks stared at the ground to address whites, blacks were to never look at white women, and black women couldn’t try on clothes in white stores. Most lynching victims were mostly black men. Some of the excuses were either they was accused of rape/violence perpetrated against white women, race hatred, or demonstration of power. Rape was more common among black women more than lynching. White men considered black women inferior. Black men tried to protect black women, and they refused to let them work as domestics for white men, but there was so much they couldn’t do on their own. It was believed that white men should have unlimited access to black women, physically and sexually. Most rapes among the white women, accusing black men, were mostly false, an excuse to get a black man lynched, which Ida B. Wells made known. The photos of the lynching were very horrific! Many not from the South were afraid or had that fear of not coming South.
Oral Interview With my Great Aunt Cedell
Cedell Robinson-Hawkins
2. Where were you born?
Cleveland, OH
3. Where did you grow up?
Cleveland, OH until my parents moved to MS when I was 10 years old
4. What were your parents names and occupations?
My mother’s name is Rilla Fossit, and my father’s name is Leonard Robinson. My mother was a hairdresser, my father was a share-cropper by day and a barber in the evening.
5. Do you have any siblings?
Yes, I have five sisters and brothers. From the oldest to the youngest are Wiley, Vizerene, Marie, Joe, and Vanessa. Nessa was Dad’s outside child by another woman. Your grandma, Rilla died at a young age. She was only 45. So, dad was really free to do what he wanted. We couldn’t say nothing; he was a strict man.
6. What was your life like growing up as a black girl in _________? Did you encounter racism?
Well, when we moved to Mississippi it was terrible. Blacks walked on one side the street and the white folks on the other. They had “for colored” on the bathrooms, movies, and water fountains. At the movies we always had to go to the balcony. Being young we always would drop popcorn on the white folks. We didn’t pour no drink cause they probably would have tried to kill us. We weren’t allowed in all the restaurants which was then only store fronts. If we wanted something, we had to go to the back door. We had to pay the same money, but still go through the back.
7. What privileges or setbacks do you feel that you experienced growing up a black female in the North/South?
Til this day, I don’t know why my parents moved to Mississippi. When we moved here, didn’t go to school cause the old man wanted us all in the fields. Before the sun came up we were in the fields and until it went down.
8. What, if anything, do you remember your parents telling you about race?
My daddy always told us to stay clear of dem white folks. Even though they think they are better than we are, we all bleed the same color.
9. What did your parents tell you or instill in you regarding being a woman, specifically a black woman?
My mom was a quiet woman, she didn’t talk much but when she did; you listened. She said if you don’t have anything to sell, stop showcasing it. We should keep tend to our children and make sure home is taken care of. Your husband would run home after a long day of hard work in the fields.
10. Did you attend school?
Yes, I went to the 8th grade. I remember we had to walk about 2 miles to school. I remember we had to put burlap in the bottom of our shoes cause we had wore em out. But after bout the 8th grade, I had to go to the field wit daddy.
11. What was it like in school for you as a black female?
It was just blacks, no white folks went to school with us. The books we had was those that the white folks handed down to us. They were tore up, but we were glad to get that.
12. Did you graduate and attend college?
No, but my son went to college. He served in the military for 8 years, and played baseball with the St. Louis cardinals til he messed up his knee. I wanted him to do more than I did. He was given a chance, we weren’t able to finish school and go to college.
13. Did you get married?
Yes, I met this tall handsome man. His name was James Hawkins, and he tickled my fancy I tell ya. We got married June 27, 1948. We were married from 1948-1979 when he passed away. It took a lot out of me, but I made it through.
14. Did you have any children?
No, I wasn’t able to have any children, but I was able to adopt my husband’s son. His mother did not want him, so, I adopted him. If I didn’t tell nobody, they wouldn’t know. I can’t do nun without him, he’s always there. You know it. Everybody look at him cause he so big and tall like his daddy, but he just a big baby.
15. Ask them about their adult life and what it was like living as a black woman?
After me and James married, we decided to stay in St. Louis. This is where we built our lives together. Back then we would go to each other’s houses. Since, me and Vizerene lived so close we all would get together and just have a good ole time. We whatn’t doing nothing but sitting around talking and dranking our little champagne. We thought we were doing something. Every summer we came down to see Rie and the family. We always stayed at your grandma Rie house. She wouldn’t let us stay nowhere else.
16. What were their relationships like with other women?
Specifically ask about white and black women. I had some good relationships- white and black.
17. What do you think is the role of both black men and women in relationships and inside of the home should be?
We were taught that the women was to take care of the home, the men was the one that was responsible for going to work and make sure the wife and children had what they needed. Today it is all turned around. Men are sitting at home and the wife going to work and taking care of the home.
18. What do you think about people dating outside of their race?
Black men marrying white women and black women marrying white men? I think it is enough black men and black women to marry their own race. It seem like everytime a black get some money or up on his feet, he go out and get a white woman. Why? I tell ya because it was drilled into them that they wasn’t suppose to have no white woman. Now that they can, they do. They looked at how the white man took the black women and did whatever they wanted to do. Now, they are doing the same thing. Its just done changed.
19. What issues do you think most affect black Americans today? We still got a long way to go cause we still try to hold one nuther down. When we get up where we can help, we go and sit with the white folks and look down on your own kind. We try to hard trying to be like them when we are some beautiful, talented people. We can do anything we put our mind to.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Fannie Lou Hamer
Woe was Fannie Lou Hamer! She was one courageous fed-up black woman. In an article we read about her, she spoke up and let her feelings out towards issues. She was basically saying she was fed up about how she, as a woman, was to feel "lower" than a white woman, and she wanted everyone to be on the same level, no upper class, middle class, white, black, woman, man, etc. I really admired her in this article because she had to be real bold to actually speak up and say the words that she said! She said that she wasn't fighting for equality nor to be liberated, but rather recognized just like any other person in the world, rather than a black woman being at the bottom of the chain. In my opinion, she wasn't really bashing or putting down others, but rather speaking her mind and telling the truth about things that people were afraid to say. This whole article to me basically tells me that in the end, we're all human beings trying to make a living, so why can't we just be that? [human beings making a living with no hierarchy.] In the end, she ended her speech with a story about an old man who was very wise and knew every answer to a question. These two young people were going to trick him and ask him "This that we hold in our hands today, is it alive or is it dead?' If he says 'Dead', we're going to turn it loose and let it fly. But if he says 'Alive', we're going to crush it." They walked up to the old man and asked him "This that we hold in our hands today, is it alive or is it dead?" The old man looked at these two young people and smiled, saying "It's in your hands." I thought this was a very POWERFUL ending. To me, this story about the old man basically says "LIFE IS WHAT WE MAKE IT!"
Phenomenal Woman
I wanted to post this because this poem is by one of my favorite people, Maya Angelou:
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Quicksand*
We've recently read a book called Quicksand. It's mostly about this woman, Helga Crane, who's actually trying to find herself and trying to categorize herself to make peace within herself. She's both white and black, mixed. During the whole story, she mostly talked about how she missed her mom and how her Dad left her, whom was a gambler. She also talked about love and trying to fit in society. In the end, which was she after? Happiness? Love? Self-peace? In my opinion, she went after all of these because she always talked about feeling "at home" and also talked about different men in the story, some she had no feeling for and some she did. I really thought this book was VERY interesting and bipolar in a way because once she didn't like her placement in society from the beginning, being a teacher in Naxos, she wasn't satisfied nor did she feel happy about being there. She ended up leaving, and through the whole book, once she was fed up with a place or she felt like she had to leave because of her dissatisfaction, she left. In the end, it was like she felt "settled" in a way because she was married, had kids, and she couldn't run away from that! I think she never found that true happiness nor love, but rather settled.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Who Run The World??? (:
Hey folks! I just wanted to post this video JUST BECAUSE a lot of males, mainly my boyfriend, HATES it! I asked my boyfriend why he doesn't like this video and his only argument was that " Girls do not run the world! Men do! " I asked why can't a woman run the world and he said " The MAN is suppose to run the world! " I, then, asked how come? He just said " it's suppose to be like that " and that was it! In my opinion, WE, WOMEN, RUN THE WORLD! (:
Their Eyes Were Watching God
""Love is like the sea. It's a moving thing, but still and all, it takes its shape from the shore it meets, and it's different with every shore. " - Zora Neale Hurston
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The Colored Girl
Recently, I've read an article called "The Colored Girl" by Fannie Barrier Williams. It basically talked about what it meant to be a colored girl. I really enjoyed reading this article because, me being a African American female, it really touched home with me because majority of what i read out of this article is what I felt about a lot of things. My favorite part in this article, which was the last part of it stated "The way to exalt the colored girl is to place a higher premium on character than we do upon the quality of her occupation. A fine girl is the supreme thing. Let her be loved, admired, encouraged, and above all things heroically protected against the scorn and contempt of men, black as well as white". To me, this was a powerful ending because it's a true statement, regarding colored girls. Black men didn't really understand, protect and back-up their fellow sisters, daughters, and wives as the white men protected their women. Was this because black men didn't have much power? This can be true in some sense because at one point, blacks didn't have power at all, but it's false today because we're living in a world where the sky is the limit, and there is no effective excuse of not protecting, encouraging, understanding, and raising your young daughters to be somebody. How bad can it be to tell your mom, daughter, sister that they are beautiful? Blacks back then already had to deal with the whites calling them names and saying they're beasts, rather than beautiful creatures. They may have gotten a little relief if only the black men stood up and said "She is beautiful no matter what you say." This article is true. Colored girls do need encouragement, uplift, to be loved, admired, protected, etc because she's already fighting against all odds and dealing with the fact that she seems as if she is at the bottom because she is black AND a female. Reading this article really inspired me to accomplish my dreams to prove to myself that I'm not at the bottom, but rather on my own level, being an accomplished educated colored girl.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Women and Education
This past week in class, we read works from Anna Cooper, Maria Stewart, and Sojourner Truth’s arguments all was similar. Sojourner Truth mostly talked about her being black and a woman, and the sexism that was brought about during slavery. They basically were promoting education and positive things to be put out for all black men and women of all color and race. Whether white, blue, green, or orange, if we are well-educated we can do anything in life. At one point only men were being educated while the women were where they were assumed to be, which was in the house taking care of the young. Women wanted to be educated as well. Then, once they started to being taught, they were mostly being taught what they already know, sweeping, cleaning, cooking, and taking care of the house. Women’s territory was the home. They needed to be Christians and moral, and they were to instill morality into society, but they wanted to be taught like the men. Today, men and women of every race and color are being educated, not based upon their race and gender.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Amazing Reading!
Just recently this week, I read an article called “An Address Delivered Before the African Female Intelligence Society of America”. I really loved reading this article because it didn’t really point fingers at the “white man” as many say these days, but rather to ourselves, African Americans. They talked about how African Americans degrade one another, rather than lift one another up. Also, it pointed out how women can influence this trend. It stated “O woman, O woman! Your example is powerful, your influence great; it extends over your husbands and your children, and throughout the circle of acquaintance. Then let me exhort you to cultivate among yourselves a spirit of Christian love and unity, having charity one for another, without which all our goodness is as sounding brass, and a tinkling cymbal (I Corinthians 13:1). With that being said, can women put a stop to this degrading trend? Can they be the ones to save their households and to encourage them to become true Christians and raise young women and men to prosper in life? In my opinion, I believe so. In the bible says, paraphrasing, to train up a child in the way that they should go, and in the end they will not depart from it. Women play a major role in families. If you notice, many blacks grew up without a father in the household, but have you heard of many growing up without a mother or a grandmother?
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Sara Baartman
Today in class, we viewed a documentary about a woman by the name of Sara Baartman. She belonged to a tribe called Khoi-Khoi in Captown in South Africa. In this documentary, it basically talked about how she was exhibited in Europe and France. People thought of her as a monster, non-human, and they even called her a noble savage. She was being poked at and talked about being exhibited by some who never saw such a woman that was different physically. She had large breast, a big nose, full lips, and a large buttocks. Even the images they showed, the artworks of her, were very exaggerating. I didn't like the way these Europeans exploited her and how they portrayed her as. They treated her as a freak show. At one point, she had a choice to stay or go home. If she was to go home, it was said she would either be enslaved or ending up dead. In my opinion, I think she was bribed to stay because in the documentary it said something about she was feeling ill and this man wanted her to dance. She didn't feel like doing it, but she did it anyway. I believed she probably didn't want to do either one because in her hometown they were enslaving people and she may have died, but where she was, in Europe, she was being exploited and treated like an animal, in my opinion, even though she was given money. What really made me a little disturbed was when she died, people weren't really interested in the cause of her death, but rather dissecting her body to see was she really human or not. Also, in the documentary they said her genitals and her brain were even still displayed, but however, her genitals ended up missing and is still missing to this day. What are they doing with it and why would they take this? I do not know why a person would do this. Her body really resembled a lot of black women today. A lot of them have the full lips, the big nose, large breast, the wide hips, and the big buttocks. Sara Baartman was beautiful to me and her body, which made many men crave her, is what we see today in many black women, which is often complimented on and desired.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Gender and Race
Does gender and race really matter? No matter what we say, society will always, in my opinion, will consider gender and race as an important factor. For example if you are white, it's thought to be a white woman rather than a black woman, the same goes for the man. If you are black, it's thought to be a man rather than a woman because women tend to have limitations. These limitations are most commonly dealing with child labor and less capability to handle certain things, and for this African American women tend to be at the bottom. On applications, we select gender, which would be male or female, and we select our race, most commonly black or white. Who do you think would get chosen for a high positioned job? A white woman or a black woman? A white man or a black man? Sad to say, the society we live in, most of the time the white woman or the white man would be chosen for the job. So saying that, whether we like it or not, agree or disagree, race matters in this society, even when it shouldn't.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)