å Wednesday, April 5th, 2017

In Patricia Hill Collin’s essay, “Learning from the Outsider Within: The Sociological Significance of Black Feminist Thought” Collins explores the idea of the “stranger.” Collins explains that the black woman is often an outsider that is able to participate in white activities as cooks, maids, servers and more. They are brought into white families but not as equals, they may appear to be an insider but are actually more of a stranger observing from within. In sociology, the “stranger” has an ability to observe and see patterns that may go unnoticed to an “insider.” Black women are able to use the “black feminist outsider within” status to expand black feminist thought. The black woman being a domestic insider allows her to understand why these white families have an advantage in society – outside of intellect – and the intricacies of racial division. The stranger status also allows the stranger to gain more information because they are looked at more objectively by the insiders. The insider can confide in the stranger in a way they can’t or wouldn’t with another insider in their community (for fear of judgement, secrecy, etc.). The black feminist is an outsider and understands that perspective, and is able to analyze the different sociological components of race, gender and class by gaining insight as an “stranger” from the insiders.

In order for black feminists to do this, they need to define their identity and strengthen their standing in society as a means to break away from the control, degradation and oppression that society has imposed on black women. Understanding the conditions of their struggle and the historical components allow for black feminists to empower themselves collectively to continue fighting for the desired status in society.