Sarah Nunez

Dr. Parker
English 113: Feminist Perspectives
24 September 2016
Feminism vs. Black Feminism
In the introduction to Feminism and Womanist, Carmen Mojica explains she has an issue
when considering herself as a feminist and prefers defending herself as a womanist. Specifically,
Carmen Mojica says the feminist movement has white women's perspective which is different
from black woman's perspective and struggles. As the author herself puts it, Whereas white
women have been oppressed by white men, women of the African Diaspora have always been
equal to their male counterparts due to the fact both have been equal partners in the struggle
against oppression.(Paragraph 2) Although some people believe that feminism is the same for
white women and all women of color. Carmen Mojica insists that, Black Feminism is the
acknowledgement that women of color have been oppressed by sexism and racism.(Paragraph
3) In sum, then, her view is that feminism and black feminism are completely different since
white women encounter different struggles from black women. Not only that, but black feminism
addresses more than just inequality.
I agree with Carmen Mojica because we cannot put all women in the same category
because we all do not go through the same challenges and some women have never experienced
what white women have experienced. In my view, all races encounter different struggles and are
protected differently. For instance, as Carmen Mojica said, Women of color have never been
placed on a pedestal and protected the way white women are. (Paragraph 4) This shows how
different white and black women are and how one category does not fit all. In addition, white
women have advantages that black women do not have such as protection. Some might object, of
course, on the grounds that all women are the same and want the same thing: equality. Yet, I
would argue that different races encounter different situations. African Diaspora women never
have to worry about equal pay as men because they have always been equal to men. Overall,
then, I believe that feminism does not cover all the women the same way and that black
feminism is very important to have because more women's voices can be heard on different
topics other than equal pay. This reading innovated and expanded my ideas on feminist identity
because I had no idea about black feminism and what it meant. This reading added new
definitions to my brain. Reading the article expanded my thoughts and made me open minded on
not placing everyone in the same categories because not everyone is the same and deal with the
same things that other people deal with.
From here I will be more opened minded and know the differences from feminism and
black feminism. Not only have that but try to make people realize that all women are not
feminist; they could be a womanist or a black feminist. Also explain to them the definition to
each one so they can be more educated and not just assume all women are feminist and know
why. I might see this particular perspective playing out in politics, religion, pop culture,
education because people always place women in the same category and do not realize that we
all have different struggles and cultures. This is unfair to women because we are only paying
attention to the white womans struggles and not overall at every other womans struggle.
Work Cited:

Mojica, Carmen. "Feminism and Womanism." Gender Across Borders RSS. N.p., 30 Mar. 2011.
Web. 24 Sept. 2016.