The power of black women in politics
Source: Sojourners
By Jamar A. Boyd JJ,
The contributions of African Americans within American politics are often reduced or diluted. But there’s one group within the African American diaspora whose commitment, consistency, and dedication has especially not been elevated: black women.
“The most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America is the black woman,” Malcolm X said.
Even in 2020 with massive strides in representation locally and federally, black women are still “othered” and their contributions to American politics ignored.
Being black in America is a privilege — the privilege is possessing a heritage authentic to only our diaspora no matter how littered and pained our history may be. But this identity is coupled with unique challenges. As a black man, I did not understand the challenges wholly until I grew older. For black women, the challenges are similar but with added layers that exist because of our American, male driven, capitalistic based economic silo.
Still, black women have long stood as the bridge between despair and relief for American democracy and have long impacted the landscape of American politics for centuries.
Click here to read the full article published by Sojourners on 30 March 2020.
By Jamar A. Boyd JJ,
The contributions of African Americans within American politics are often reduced or diluted. But there’s one group within the African American diaspora whose commitment, consistency, and dedication has especially not been elevated: black women.
“The most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America is the black woman,” Malcolm X said.
Even in 2020 with massive strides in representation locally and federally, black women are still “othered” and their contributions to American politics ignored.
Being black in America is a privilege — the privilege is possessing a heritage authentic to only our diaspora no matter how littered and pained our history may be. But this identity is coupled with unique challenges. As a black man, I did not understand the challenges wholly until I grew older. For black women, the challenges are similar but with added layers that exist because of our American, male driven, capitalistic based economic silo.
Still, black women have long stood as the bridge between despair and relief for American democracy and have long impacted the landscape of American politics for centuries.
Click here to read the full article published by Sojourners on 30 March 2020.