‘—

Assignment 08

According to Collins, “outsiders” help contribute to the field of sociology and our understanding of society and culture by providing a unique perspective. Many black women were put in the place of being an “outsider” by being a part of the domestic duties for white families. Even though black women became so intimate with the families they worked for, they were still considered an “outsider” due to the fact that they would never truly belong. To help understand the situation, Collins believes that black women must first define and validate their true-selves. This is a response to the stereotypical claims that the world has made to dehumanize blacks. Creating this definition will unify those who share the same experiences and will expose leaders among the community. Collins argues next that understanding the connection of oppression between race, gender, and class is the second crucial theme of black feminists. Collins shows the importance of this connection by referencing Sojourner Truth and Nancy White; who were both women that were black and poor. They were able to first-hand recognize the struggle in all areas of life and therefore, truly realized the importance of bringing to light all aspects of oppression. Lastly, Collins discusses the third theme of black feminist thought to be the importance of Afro-American women’s culture. She believes that understanding the foundation of their culture will help other young black women overcome other situations of oppression when dealing with race, class, and gender issues. Creating this foundation also tells the unique story of the Afro-American women experience. Learning from their own experiences, as well as others, can help black women teach their daughters to go further than they did in life. This applies to all aspects in life; such as education, employment, politics, etc. Collins puts an emphasis on the fact that all genders, races, and cultures can learn from the ideas of black feminism. By using the struggles of one group, we can see the fault in our society and change it for the better.