WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Black transnational feminism. It’s a loaded phrase that most people don’t hear every day, even on a college campus.
Winston-Salem State University hosted a panel at its Diggs Gallery recently called “Transnational Black Feminisms: Black Women’s Activism in Brazil and The Americas.” The panel, which consisted of two invited scholars and two on-campus scholars, explained the idea behind the seemingly lofty language and how it is not only applicable but necessary in today’s world.
In short, Black transnational feminisms simply means understanding the ways in which Black women across nationalities are faced with many of the same issues. For example, women in Rio de Janeiro may not speak the same language as women in Ferguson, Missouri but they often experience the same issues.
Dr. Keisha-Khan Perry explained that in the year 2016 alone, 11,106 Black people were killed by the police across Brazil. And even though the bulk of those were men, the effect on women was tremendous as well.
“And those were just the instances that were reported as being acts of resistance. Of resisting arrest.” Perry told the audience. “That’s not to diminish our experiences as here in the United States, but understand who is left to pick up the pieces in those moments, even when they are majority of Black men between 15-29, are Black women, mothers, sisters, daughters girlfriends and wives.”
One of the barriers in advancing the idea of Black transnational feminism is the last of the three words, “feminism.” Dr. Kia Caldwell talked about how resistance to the term in the Black community often keeps issues that need to be addressed from being spoken out on, such as Black women being killed by police.
“Black women are often marginalized within our communities, because of patriarchy and sexism and racism,” Caldwell said. “So I think having this type of conversation is so essential. Having it an HBCU is so essential in order for us to move our community forward.”
