“In attempt to work out a synthesis,
the self has added a third element which is greater than the sum of
its severed parts. That third element is a new consciousness—a
mestiza consciousness—and though it is a source of intense pain,
its energy comes from continual creative motion that keeps breaking
down the unitary aspect of each paradigm.”
-Le Conciencia de la Mestiza, pg
101-102
The overall bridging theme of Combahee
Collective, La Güerra, La Consciencia de la Mestiza and La
Prieta is the struggle of
intersectionality as briefly discussed in class. These women are
writing about the crossroads and multiple barriers they face as
women, women of color and their sometimes unaccepted sexual
orientation.
As referenced in
the quote above, there is one thought described by Anzaldua that all
of the pieces come together and sort of morph into this other being
that defies all other definitions, transcending through multiple
layers and preconceived notions of race, gender, class and sexuality.
She describes this new thinking pattern of duality to be the answer
to the segregation between any two groups; male and female, black and
white.
In the
Combahee Collective,
the focuses is lent to the struggle factors facing women of color,
specifically black women. The stigma of being the perceived lesser
sex, being black, being poor puts these women into a multiple
marginalized category. Their focus was to bring these women whom
lived this experience everyday and mobilize a movement to pull
themselves up from the bottom.
Both La Guerra and
La Prieta focus more on the way women of color cope with
intersectionality. The way women try to blend within different groups
so that they don't feel as marginalized. Hiding your femininity with
men, ignoring your ethnicity when among whites to avoid those
uncomfortable conversations.
I personally
enjoyed all of the readings and found my struggle written in their
words. I do believe all women are oppressed in certain ways and I
find it especially difficult to present my womanhood, my blackness,
my religious beliefs and values at all times without conflict or
marginalization. Even when I am amongst other women of color, a lot
of times our value systems are different. Amongst my white peers, I
may watch my “blackness” as to not offend anyone. In a classroom,
I will keep my religious beliefs to myself as to not be labeled or
considered closed minded. I can totally relate to that isolated
feeling and that fear of always being controversial and different
just by virtue of having my own set of ideas and thoughts.
A
quote from the collective stood out to me; “If
Black women were free, it would mean that everyone else would have to
be free since our freedom would necessitate the destruction of all
the systems of oppression.”
In
the end we must navigate this life truthfully and balance everything
that makes us an individual. Hopefully becoming fully who we are
meant to be, learning from others and teaching someone along the way.
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