Who Is The African - American Women What Value Does She

Who is the African - American women ? What value does she hold in the Black community? Is she a simple submissive puppet that has no voice? Is she simply an object used to do work and make babies? Or is she physically, mentally, and emotionally weaker than her opposite sex, which means she can never be called an equal? In society, we are faced with different forms of designations and descriptions that lead to the establishment of a person s identity. These identities would entail gender inequality, race, ethnicity, economic background, and religion. Identities are used to oppress individuals making it nearly impossible to overcome the obstacles that are insinuated with these traits. Overcoming any of these identities is an epic feat and†¦show more content†¦Dubois’ message of equal rights, in his book entitled The Souls of Black Folk, was hindered due to his lack of consistency on the inclusion of women during the civil rights movement. Many times, we hear about the cruelties that African Americans face because of slavery and racism. However, our education system has failed us on narrating the actual monstrosities that took place. It is known that blacks were less than actual humans this can be seen through the three-fifths clause in the constitution. However, we quickly forget that originally when African people came to America they were called â€Å"Savages† (Azevedo 482) this term became the identity of the slaves in America. They were viewed as subhuman, simple beings, and that they needed guidance to function. The fate of African-American female slaves were victims of â€Å"rape and sexual violence...and African American women have borne the children of their beloved and the children of their oppressors.† (Azevedo 485) â€Å"The idea that black women were only unacceptable to look at and fit...to serve a white man in his fields or in his bed.† (Azevedo 485) This let the African American wom en know that their bodies and the babies that came from their bodies belonged to their masters and they were not worthy enough to have control over their own being. In the 1970s, the case of Joanne Little where a young woman was put into prison, but during her stay, a whiteShow MoreRelatedThe Continuous Injustice And Discrimination Have Served1667 Words   |  7 Pagesserved as a motivation for African Americans to create a voice for themselves. Although protests could be visualized as marches and sit-ins, they were not limited to these methods. African American writers made sure to create a space for themselves to protest and convince with their words and emotions put into their pieces.African American literature comprises of the African American culture itself. Works that fall into this genre focus on the hardships that African-American have and continue to faceRead MoreCharacter Analysis Of Beneatha In A Raisin In The Sun1487 Words   |  6 PagesCharacter Analysis â€Å" A Raisin in the Sun† is a play written by Lorraine Hansberry about the life of an African American family during the era of segregation. The play starts off with the Younger family receiving a 10,000 dollar check from Mr. Younger’s insurance policy. The family argues over what they are going to do with it. Mama wants to buy a house with it, Walter wants to invest in a liquor store, and Beneatha wants to use the money to go to medical school. The contrast of the characters’ personalitiesRead MoreGender Labeling And Gender Stereotypes1551 Words   |  7 Pagesto the overflowing, constant reminder of what each gender looks like and how each should act. The article entitled, â€Å"Gendered Media: The Influence of Media on Views of Gender† is about the three themes that influence gender stereotyping. Given the themes, it is revealed that the U.S is a male subjugated culture and that the female is viewed as obscure. The underrepresentation of women is the primary distortion of reality says the author Julia Wood as she states the first of three themes. The secondRead MoreThe Journal Of Negro History Essay1680 Words   |  7 Pages What I am analyzing about this research paper, I am going to talk about the African American Culture and the story am going to bring up is called Everyday use and an Literary Criticism called â€Å"The Journal Of Negro History†. First am going to talk about â€Å"Everyday Use† which it talks about a character girl name Dee saying she is reclaiming her heritage but she really actually rejecting it more violently than ever and by doing that she doesn t see how important her family cul ture is. On theRead MoreDiscrimination, Anti Feminism, And Gender Inequality1455 Words   |  6 PagesInequality In Films Women power has increased throughout the 20th and 21st century by means of statutory laws, legislative ascending, and Civil Rights Movements. Gender and race has been the target of numerous discriminatory laws that have persisted throughout time. Two major films have portrayed the endurance of women on issues of gender discrimination and discriminatory laws. The Color Purple, based on the same novel by Alice Walker, discusses the suffering of African American women through anti-feminismRead MoreAn Analysis Of Sojourner Truths Ar Nt A Woman?1680 Words   |  7 Pagesthe 19th century, black women faced a plethora of hardships culminating from hundreds of years of oppression and denigration while simultaneously fighting for equal rights with all other women. One of the biggest obstacles that was necessary to overcome was one of the most common ideologies of the West, the Cult of True Womanhood. This Victorian ideal of womanhood defined women within a domestic sphere and required th em to be subservient to their husbands (Broude). These women gave up much more thanRead MoreThe Pursuit Of The American Dream1250 Words   |  5 Pagesof the American Dream in A Raisin in the Sun The American Dream embodies the ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity. However, there are several interpretations of the American Dream because the idea explores the personal values of individuals. The differentiation between priorities and contrasting views of success amongst individuals can often effect how one defines the American Dream. In A Raisin in the Sun, written by Lorraine Hansberry, the play addresses the struggles of African AmericansRead MoreAfrican American Women Have Suffered From Psychological And Physical Oppression1561 Words   |  7 PagesFor years, African American Women have suffered from psychological and physical oppression. During Enslavement, Black women were treated worse than men. They had no control over their bodies and were used as tools for the white slave owners’ enjoyment. Submission was expected, and therefore any form of resistance would have led to a series of whippings. Unfortunately, the abuse was not only received from the slave masters, but from the mistresses as well. Filled with envy, they would verbally andRead MoreThe Double-Fold Oppression Of Intersectionality. The American1642 Words   |  7 PagesThe Double-Fold Oppression of Intersectionality The American nation has long served as a battlefield for whites and their social norms versus African Americans and their native cultures. Although successful in previous years in acquiring basic civil rights, the early 20th century signified the African American downfall as their white foes discovered a new source of perilous power. From the early to mid-1900s, white backlash increased with the passing of legislature to segregate blacks, most prominentlyRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Everyday Use 1207 Words   |  5 PagesIn the reading, Everyday Use, there are three characters who all seem to be different, but are from the same bloodline. Though this story can be interpreted to have a lot of meaning, I am going to use this story uses this story to signify characterization, comparing the women in the story, introducing each characters motives of life, and also the meaning of Family Heritage for African Americans. Walker, who is the author of this piece, includes a woman in the stor y referring to her as, Mama. The