This document summarizes a presentation about the article "White Women Listen! Black Feminism and the Boundaries of Sisterhood" by Hazel V. Carby. It discusses how feminist theory has largely been developed from the perspectives and experiences of white women, failing to consider the different backgrounds and forms of oppression faced by black women. Specifically, it notes how concepts around family, patriarchy, and reproduction analyzed in feminist theory do not align with the histories and realities of black women. The presentation calls for white feminists to fundamentally rework feminist frameworks to fully incorporate the perspectives of black women.

1. White Women Listen!
~Black Feminism and the Boundaries of Sisterhood~
By Hazel V.Carby
A presentation by Louisa Reddin
& Honoka Nagumo
April 12th

2. Today’s Contents
1. Introduction
2. The problem of “Feminist Theory”
3. Different background and
experiences
4. The first world vs the third world
5. Examples of lack of progression
6. Conclusion

3. Introduction
“Intersectionality”
‘The Triple oppression of gender, race
and class’ as a determinate for the
lives of Black women ’

4. The problem of “feminist theory”
 Involves coming to terms with absences – history makes black women visible
‘only when it chooses to see us’- Hazel V. Carby
 Sexuality and femininity for black women has been structured differently to
the way it has for white women
 This article addresses ‘questions to the feminist theories that have been
developed during the last decade; a decade in which black women have been
fighting, in the streets, in the schools, through the courts, inside and outside
the wage relation’ –Hazel V. Carby

5. Different background and experiences
 One key aspect of feminist theory is the concept of family
<White>
･Usually women depend on men in the family both in “materially” and
“ideologically”
<Black>
･Women did not necessarily depend on men
- They worked for white families, earned money
- Family as a mobilizing unit against racist oppression

6. Different background and experiences
 Another key aspect of feminist theory is the concept of
“Patriarchy”
<White>
They experience oppression through the patriarchy
<Black>
They experience patriarchy in a different way because they are oppressed not
only by men but also white women
Furthermore black women have a bound with black men in order to fight racist
oppression

7. Different background and experiences
 The last key aspect of feminist theory is the concept of
“Reproduction”
<White>
Their main goal was supposedly reproducing and child rearing, this meant that
they were thought of as a temporary work force
White women were thought of as needing to be protected
<Black>
There was a racist stereotype that because they were black they were suited to
the workforce
Black women where thought of a bad mothers

8. The First World VS The Third World
The first world (Capitalism Society)- “Progressive”
“Advanced”
“Emancipating women”
The third world - “Pre-capitalist”
- traditionally/culturally behind
- more oppressive to women
(This is clearly not the case as black women came to the UK and were anything
but liberated)

9. Examples of the lack of progression
1. “Igbo” in Nigeria – Regressive result for women
2. “Untouchable castes’ women” – more rights than the white counterparts
3. Women in colonized area – gained less power by being colonized

10. Conclusion
- White feminists have to take into account the histories and different
experiences of black women
- It has to be realized that the burdens of historical and modern racism blocks
black women from completely aligning themselves with white women
- There cannot just be token black women in feminism- feminism has to be
completely reworked in order to analyze and overturn the social framework
which oppresses black women
- ‘In other words, of white feminists we must ask, what exactly do you mean
when you say "we"?’ – Hazel V. Carby