By Cassidy Conley
Black women have spearheaded many movements for the sake of humanity, yet it seems like more is always expected from us. We are constantly expected to be at the frontline of everyone’s issues, and if we’re not, the backlash is intense. The scrutiny and “activist audit” from communities expecting a level of support that we ourselves rarely receive is overwhelming. Now, don’t get me wrong—supporting a cause should never be a quid pro quo action. We shouldn’t support movements only when they agree to support us. However, everyone has a role to play in different movements, and Black women shouldn’t always be expected to be on the frontline.
Of all groups, Black women have the deepest level of intersectionality that needs to be advocated for. The terms "Black" and "women" already identify two intersecting identities, but beyond that, we intersect with cultures "of color," different religions, generations, sexualities, and sometimes nationalities and ethnicities. These intersections create unique experiences for Black women that are often unseen, dismissed, and overlooked, by the very communities we support.
To illustrate this, compare the intersectionality of a Black Muslim woman to that of a White Christian man. Each of the intersecting identities of the Black Muslim woman is challenged by societal norms in America—she potentially faces discrimination based on her race, gender, religion, and probably other factors like age or nationality. In contrast, the White Christian man’s intersecting identities align with societal norms and privileges, meaning he faces significantly fewer challenges based on his identity.
Our experiences as Black women are unparalleled because our level of intersectionality is unmatched, highlighting the strength we’ve gained from what we’ve endured, but also, placing an expectation of fighting for every social issue at hand.
Let me break it down for you.
Take the women's rights movement, for instance. It aimed to secure equal treatment for women, from voting rights to equal pay and job opportunities. It's the movement of the 19th amendment where feminism had awakened. While Black women were often at the forefront, the movement's agenda was largely shaped by White women from privileged backgrounds. This left Black women fighting on the frontlines for a cause that didn’t fully support them.
White women were perceived as too delicate to engage in the grittier aspects of activism, so they found alternative methods. Meanwhile, Black women, though also women, were still seen primarily as laborers. They were expected to participate in this collective fight, even though the movement often excluded their specific needs and concerns because of that.
But it doesn't stop there. The civil rights movement was largely driven by a Black male perspective. While Black women were an integral part of the movement, many of their specific issues were overlooked. The fight, although crucial for the Black community as a whole, ended up benefiting Black men more than Black women, similar to what happened with the women's rights movement. The Civil Rights movement and the Black Panther Party were built on the backs of Black women like Angela Davis, Elaine Brown, Chaka Khan, and many others.
Despite their significant contributions, Black women often did not receive the same recognition or benefits as their male counterparts, yet, had an expectation to take action like no other. Their labor, both visible and behind the scenes, was essential to the success of these movements. Their unique struggles and contributions were frequently overshadowed by the broader focus on racial issues that primarily addressed Black men. This pattern of marginalization within social justice movements underscores the need for a more intersectional approach that fully acknowledges and addresses the specific experiences and contributions of Black women.
These are very formal and extreme examples of movements literally being built on our backs, although very true. While these cases are somewhat understandable given their historical context, the pressure on Black women has not ended. Today, Black women face similar pressures regarding the disheartening genocide of Palestinian communities in Gaza. We are held to a higher standard of allyship that is often unbearable. I have witnessed and experienced this firsthand during my college years.
When I was running for Student Senate at Wayne State University, I was suspected of being a Zionist because of my association with a Black man whom the Palestinian community did not support. After disputing these claims and declaring my lifelong commitment to Christianity and support for a permanent ceasefire, I was still scrutinized. Someone even said, "She says she's 'pro-Palestine' but I've looked at both her pages and there's nothing about it," referring to my social media accounts.
I was stunned by this accountability to a responsibility I did not know I had. Despite having no formal connection to Palestine, aside from my intersectional connection through being of color, I boycotted, protested, raised awareness, and openly discussed the genocide. I even wore a winter hat with a Palestinian flag at church and on campus throughout the winter. Yet, my support was questioned. Meanwhile, another candidate, a non-Black woman, was not subjected to the same standards. She did not speak about Palestine on her social media, was not active in protests or conversations about Palestine, and did not engage in formal activism on campus. Yet, the same people in Students for Justice in Palestine rallied behind her while scrutinized me.
I will admit, the other candidate does support Palestine, though she did not play an active role in ending the genocide, which is fine. However, this highlights the disproportionate burden placed on Black women to be the biggest allies in every cause. In every movement, from Black Lives Matter to Ceasefire, to Women and Reproductive Rights, our voices and experiences are often overlooked, even though these issues disproportionately impact us. Our labor is demanded, but our voices are not uplifted. This creates an immense and unfair expectation for Black women to lead and support every cause without receiving the same level of support in return.
Add comment
Comments