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Assignment 08 – Marlena Esposito

Black women face the issue of marginalization in ways of both race and gender. They were, and still are, dehumanized and forced into a subordinate role that makes them subject to both black and white males. Black women in the workforce were frequently placed into a domestic setting. In a white household, Black women were contributing to keeping the white family together, but were considered to be outsiders. This position led to Black feminist thought and the rejection of the stereotypes and roles that Black women were forced into by the White patriarchy.

Collins outlines 2 principles of black feminist theory: self-definition and self-valuation. Self-definition is the concept of challenging political knowledge that has lead to the discrimination and oppression of Black women. Black feminists acknowledge the stereotypes that are present in their everyday lives and in the political realm. According to the Black feminist Mae King, these stereotypes represented in images contribute to the exploitation of Black women’s labor. Black women’s labor was frequently devalued; more than White women’s, which was more commonly discussed. Black women and White women in the workforce were both mistreated; Black women were considered to be complete outsiders, while White women could belong to the family, but be considered as less equal. An important concept noted by Collins was the image and stereotype of the assertive Black female — this is still commonly shown today. The stereotype of the “angry black woman” became a frequent character due to the threat that White people (specifically men) felt of their power. Black women who spoke out against their oppression received this label and had their opinions ignored. Self-valuation is a concept that validates the content of Black women’s own self-definition and allows Black female images to be present. These images are meant to empower Black women, allowing them to define their image for themselves, breaking stereotypes placed on them by oppressive groups.

This essay helps us to understand our society and culture by outlining the specific forms of oppression that Black women face when they are labelled as outsiders. Being an outsider forces them into a box where they cannot speak up for themselves, because their opinion will either be completely ignored, or it will result in them being labelled as “angry Black women”. Black feminists fighting this discourse are able to understand the reasons why this occurs, and they re-define and value themselves as equals to both White men and women. Outsiders in general are able to see the oppression that occurs that is not discussed. They have an outside opinion that those in the realm cannot understand or visualize. The discourse of “outsiders” allows for a step towards political and social change in our society. Black women being oppressed in White households in which they work forces them to be considered “outsiders”, which many Black feminists fought against.