Combahee River Collective

Definition

The Combahee River Collective was a Black feminist organization founded in 1974 in Boston, known for its commitment to the intersectionality of race, gender, sexuality, and class. The collective emerged from a need to address the unique struggles faced by Black women, emphasizing that their experiences could not be understood through a singular lens of oppression. This group played a crucial role in shaping feminist thought and activism by advocating for the inclusion of the perspectives of marginalized communities in feminist discourse.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Combahee River Collective is best known for its 1977 manifesto that articulated a vision for Black feminism and outlined the importance of addressing the intersecting oppressions faced by Black women.
2. The collective was formed by a group of Black lesbian feminists who sought to create a space where their voices and experiences could be heard within both the feminist movement and the civil rights movement.
3. The name 'Combahee' is derived from the Combahee River in South Carolina, where Harriet Tubman led a raid that freed over 700 slaves during the Civil War, symbolizing resistance and liberation.
4. Members of the collective recognized that their activism needed to include issues like reproductive rights, economic justice, and LGBTQ+ rights to fully address the needs of Black women.
5. The work of the Combahee River Collective has had a lasting impact on contemporary feminist movements, with many activists today still drawing on their principles to advocate for intersectional approaches to social justice.

Review Questions

• How did the Combahee River Collective articulate the importance of intersectionality in their manifesto?
  • The Combahee River Collective emphasized that Black women's experiences cannot be understood solely through race or gender but must consider multiple identities that contribute to their oppression. In their manifesto, they argued that focusing on these intersections is essential for addressing social justice issues effectively. They believed that only through an intersectional approach could true liberation be achieved for all marginalized communities.
• Discuss how the Combahee River Collective influenced both feminist movements and civil rights activism.
  • The Combahee River Collective challenged traditional feminist movements to recognize and include the unique struggles of Black women while simultaneously pushing civil rights activism to address issues beyond race. Their insistence on intersectionality prompted broader discussions about how race, class, sexuality, and gender intertwine in shaping individual experiences. This dual influence helped create a more inclusive approach within both movements, ultimately leading to a richer understanding of oppression.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of the Combahee River Collective on contemporary social justice movements.
  • The Combahee River Collective laid critical groundwork for contemporary social justice movements by emphasizing intersectionality as a core principle. Their work inspired later generations of activists to adopt inclusive strategies that consider various forms of oppression. Today, many movements advocating for racial justice, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ rights continue to echo the collective's call for an intersectional framework, showcasing its enduring influence in shaping modern discourse around social change.

Related terms

Intersectionality: A framework for understanding how various forms of discrimination and oppression intersect and compound one another, particularly in relation to identity factors like race, gender, and class.

Black Feminism: A movement that highlights the specific issues faced by Black women, advocating for their rights and addressing the intersections of race and gender.

Political Statement: A declaration or written statement expressing the group's political beliefs and goals, often highlighting social justice issues.