Black Feminist Thought – The Importance of Self Definition

Abstract

Audre Lorde explains that because of the racialized oppression and devaluation African-Americans have putatively experienced a social philosophy which is a source of inward twoness and many black women were disguised and forced themselves to adopting the life style and traditions of the oppressor and dominant group so that they could fit into the society's standards and to be respected. The period was African- Americans were not given basic rights especially women started protesting and speaking and demanding for their right and standing up for their own people. Pauli Murray, famous black feminist speaks out how the dominant group in the society have gained their power from the concurrence of its sufferers, who are forcedly made to mentally accept the superiority of the oppressor and are benumbed based on their race, religion, caste etc. It gives an idea how the feelings and ideologies of the black women were not given any kind of significance. Many U. S Black women writer and directors have reconnoitered many ways to portray the astonishing relationships among the black women. With their continued determination in overcoming the struggles and social stigmas, they are finally starting to self-define their own identity.