The liberalization of the black woman in United States started many years ago and is still on course even as women leaders take up the challenge to empower their counterparts. Being a black woman in the United States had been considered one of the worst tragedies that could happen to the society. In a country where a black race was always looked down upon, it was even worse for the women who had to struggle to not only find their identity in the society but also face other challenges that came with their responsibilities. The black man was mainly considered as a slave and hence spent his life doing hard labor to provide for the family. With all this challenges, the woman had the responsibility of providing for her family as well as assist the husband in his routine work to supplement the income.
The challenges that the black women faced especially during the era of slavery reduced them to insignificant beings. They were left with most of the responsibilities especially when their men left them to pursue other careers. It even reached a time when they had to stand on their own especially when the men were taken for war and never came back. Despite the contributions their men made, the society did not accord them any significant support and hence being forced to raise their rather larger families single handedly (McCann 50). This may have been considered a tragedy but as years rolled by, it became their main point of strength as they slowly started realizing their potential. Among them came women who had suffered their plight and decided to stand out to defend their course.
The women leaders realized that the predicament that faced the black women was mostly because they lacked the avenue to share and encourage each other. They had no otherwise but to unite and share some of their life stories. They were hence able to share knowledge and assist each other in whichever way they thought was best. At each generation, the women have had representatives who empathized with their situation and granted them the support they needed. It was definitely going to be a long journey considering the attitude that had been held against them. Amidst all this, they came to realize that they had great potential and talent which once utilized, it will not only be a benefit to then but also to the society (Keetley 54). They had their children who were looking up to them and hence realized the need of molding a generation.
Maria Stewart and Anna Julia Cooper are an example of the 19th and 29th Century women activists who contributed a lot to the empowerment of the black woman. Their responsibility was not an easy one especially considering the fact that the very women they were defending did not support them the women were liked as people who were aimed at creating arrogance among women and hence making them not carry out their responsibilities. The position of the woman was considered to be that of the home where she was to take care of her children and husband. It not matter whether they had an income for it or not and whatever other responsibilities they took, they had to balance. Even though women were willing to balance everything that came their way, they were not respected or appreciated by the society.
Dealing with women in the 19th and 20th century was probably one of the most difficulty responsibility that the activist had. This is because women had reached a point where they had accepted their fate and were somehow comfortable in it. It was clear from the kind of lifestyle they lived that they were suffering but realizing that this was meant to be their lifestyle, they did not make any effort to come out of it (White 93). They had learned to worship their men, overwork for the sake of their children, live with their drunkard and irresponsible husbands, having to endure abuse, which posed a risk to their health and even killed them. This was the life of a black woman in the 19th century. The black woman did not have confidence in a fellow black woman and hence could not imagine that they would bring deliverance to them.
The black woman in the 19th and 20th century was dependent on a man for almost everything. Since they believed they were weak, they needed a male figure to provide for them, give them the protection they need and give them the dignity they needed in the society (Hooks 103). Even though the men did not actually provide such essential needs to the women, the assumption that these were the responsibilities of a man made them not leave them irrespective of how they treated them. Furthermore, most women were so engrossed in their day-to-day activities they did not get time to attend such empowerment meetings. The men also realized how the meetings would be a threat to their position in the society and hence keeping their women from attending them.
Despite all the challenges that the women activists had when reaching out to the women, they did not give out on their quest. They tried al they could to visit their women even in their homes and talked to them. They imparted them with skills that will ensure they are no so much dependent on their men and that they took good care of their children (Hollitz 217). One of the most important messages that the activists emphasized on was for the women to treat both their male and female children equal. This would be done by ensuring that they were equally access to educational facilities, which was vital for their empowerment. They also discouraged the women from giving out their young daughters for marriage and hence denying them the opportunity to learn. Some of the issues that prompted women to marry off their daughters such as poverty and culture were discussed. It was realized that once women learned to be independent by having some sources of income, they would not be under pressure to dispose off their daughters.
The women also realized that by denying their daughters the opportunity to be empowered, they are exposing them to the challenges that they have heard. Since every mother has good thought towards their children, most women slowly took up the challenge of supporting their daughters. Even though this was happening at a slightly slower rate, the women started to realize how beautiful life would be if they were allowed to participate in making the decisions of the home. It gave them great delight to know that the society would be better if they had exposure to information (Smith 299). They realized that the role of education was not just to make them independent but also learned virtual lessons on hygiene, family planning, managing their families and even supporting each other. Even though the great women activists did not live to fully experience the fruit of their labor, they sowed an important seed that the modern black women are enjoying. Further more, after them came other female activists who championed for the rights of the black women.
With the increase in black women empowerment, the responsibilities are also many and so are the challenges. Just after the women went to school and were able to establish their careers and take up leadership positions, they realized that they could not run way from their personal responsibilities. They are the same women who need to give birth and take care of their children, be there for their husbands and effectively manage their homes. The aim of the empowerment was meant to civilize women and not make them neglect their female responsibilities and become arrogant in the society (White 76). This is the point where modern scholars such as bell hooks and Deborah Gray White came in. this are women who understand the challenges that affect the modern woman and the need to help them balance their status in the society as well as at home. While this is happening, we realize that some women are still not comfortable in leadership position with the fear that they will neglect their homely responsibilities.
Modern female activists empower women by letting them know that leadership has challenges and that they have to stand the taste of time. Even though the society and more especially men have come to recognize the significance of women, some are still in denial and are always looking for opportunities to discredit them (Hooks 54). There are serious battles especially when it comes to leadership positions. Men feel they have al the capability to be there and that the women have weaknesses that will not enable them sustain it. This comes especially in instances where the academic qualifications of the men are similar to that of the women. They will look for any excuse to justify that they are not fir for their positions. When they are given the positions, they are supposed to work and prove to the management that they have outstanding capabilities. This hence requires the women to take a lot of caution and deliver exemplary results.
Currently, there are voices raised against the harassment and sidelining of women. However, some of these voices only remain theoretical as many women continue to suffer because of their gender. A few women will come out and admit what they are going through and when they do it, it may have been happening for quite sometime. This is because some of them are intimidated not to speak out on their predicament or just feel it will affect their image and that of their families. This has hence made most women to remain slaves to their gender in the name of protecting their image in society. However, with the awareness that is going on, women are encouraged to speak out with the promise of being guaranteed protection. Sharing their experiences also serve as an inspiration to other women who could be going through similar experiences.
One of the main reasons why women dared not to speak out on their issues is the thought that they were the only ones they are going through such. However, as they opened up, they realized that the challenges they faced were similar in nature. Knowing that they faced similar problems made them comfortable in sharing other issues and hence consoling each other. It was also easier for them to find a solution to their issues jointly than simply thinking they were going through a unique situation. Some of the issues that women went through such as abuse was considered normal and hence not seeking solution. When the effects of such treatment was revealed to have a negative influence on their health, it helped in condemning the acts. It was also easy to bring the men on board and let them know how negatively the women were affected.
The female scholars of modern times assist the women to know their rights and fight for them. The reason behind this was \that there were so many laws that sought to defend women and protect them from possible harassment. However, there were those women who did not know anything about the law and hence not able to report cases of discrimination and abuse. As the women were informed about their rights and how the law would assist them, they started opening up. This also scared the men who realized that they could not just afford to mistreat women as they are protected by the law. Reading the success stories of other women who overcame the challenges they faced also play a vital role in inspiring other women. The activists therefore played a role of practically inspiring the black women as well as giving them the information they need.
The empowerment Black women began in United States but is slowly touching the rest of the black women across the world. Realizing that the black woman is enslaved by the same culture of male superiority, the activists have now realized the need of touching the entire world with their message. If only women are appreciated and given a chance to express themselves, then the society will be a better place to be. Women have unique talents and capabilities, which make them the best leaders. Once black woman is completely liberated, it will minimize on unnecessary competition on the roles that are to be played by the different sexes. Responsibilities will be shared according to capability rather than sex.
Looking back, one can appreciate the efforts that were taken by the black women to empower each other. There is no telling of how much the society has changed and transformed because of the women who have taken up their positions. It only took some little courageous women who decided not to accept their fallen status and rise up to be counted. The impact of the women can be felt in every sector of the society as they prove to the world that they have the ability of balancing home and office responsibilities. However, the women need constant encouragement to maintain what they have fought for in many years. There are still challenges even as some societies do not value women. With such a continuous trend we can rest assured that the society is being transformed into a better place to be.
Works cited
Hollitz, John. Thinking Through the Past: To 1877. London: Cengage Learning, 2009.
Hooks, Bel. Talking back: thinking feminist, thinking black. New Jersey: South End Press, 1989.
Hooks, bell. Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center. California: Pluto Press, 2000.
Keetley, Dawn. Public Women, Public Words: Vol. 3. California: Rowman & Littlefield, 2005
McCann, Ruth. Feminist theory reader: local and global perspectives. New York: Routledge, 2003.
Smith, Jessie. Notable Black American Women: book II. London: VNR AG, 1996.
White, Deborah. Ar'n't I a Woman?: Female Slaves in the Plantation South (Revised Edition). NEW York: W. W. Norton, 1999.
White, Deborah. Let My People Go: African Americans 1804-1860. London: Oxford University Press, 1996.
Annotated bibliography
Hollitz, John. Thinking Through the Past: To 1877. London: Cengage Learning, 2009.
In the book, Hollitz takes us through some of the challenges that the women faced in the past. He also shares more on what the women activists of the 19th and 20th century did to ensure liberalization. The challenges of the black woman in a white dominated society have been mentioned and how the women overcame them.
Hooks, Bel. Talking back: thinking feminist, thinking black. New Jersey: South End Press, 1989.
The book mainly highlights on the difficulties that the women faced simply because they could not speak on the issues that concerned them. The society had sidelined them and made them to suffer in silence. It is only when they found a voice from some women that they started speaking out. This facilitated theit freedom.
Hooks, bell. Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center. California: Pluto Press, 2000.
Hooks who is one of the female activists unveils to us some of the assumptions that were held towards women which hindered them from being recognized and appreciaited.the fact that the women had also believed such lies made them live in bondage. Once the women come out of their cocoons and show the world what they have, they will be appreciated and respected.
Keetley, Dawn. Public Women, Public Words: Vol. 3. California: Rowman & Littlefield, 2005.
Being in public is what most women dreaded off, it was inn fact a taboo for a woman to take up public responsibilities as they were insignificant. Despite the role they played in ensuring that the public looks good for the world, they were prohibited from speaking out or making vital decisions. This was so, despite the fact that most of the decisions made in public affected them negatively. Once they gained the courage to go public, they were able to influence the environment around them to the positive.
McCann, Ruth. Feminist theory reader: local and global perspectives. New York: Routledge, 2003.
The United States has been a focal point for any form of revolution and liberalization. The world has always looked up to it for any developments and changes. It was mainly for this reason that the liberalization of the black woman began in united states. Once the black woman in America was accepted and appreciated, it was easier for a similar revolution to be established across the world.
Smith, Jessie. Notable Black American Women: book II. London: VNR AG, 1996.
The black woman has distinctive characters and features. Despite the challenges that she had to face, she still came out boldly to fight for her rights and even liberate her fellow blacks. It is mainly because of such resilience nature of the black woman that she has been able to overcome the challenges.
White, Deborah. Ar'n't I a Woman?: Female Slaves in the Plantation South (Revised Edition). NEW York: W. W. Norton, 1999.
White Deborah could not run away from the fact that she was a black woman who has had to face and endure the challenges that came with her race. Despite the fact that she aws speaking for the other black woman, she recognized the fact that she is still faced with numerous challenges and hence required encouragement. In this book, she wanted to encourage other black women that they can make it only if they are determined.
White, Deborah. Let My People Go: African Americans 1804-1860. London: Oxford University Press, 1996.
White Deborah in this book decided to take a biblical perspective of the slavery that the black women were going through. Just like the mosses of the Israelites, she had to plead with the United States through her literature to give the black woman a chance. This was also to encourage the black woman that she had all the responsibility to ensure that she is not enslaved. Such deliverance would not be given to them freely and hence they had to literally fight for it.
