Black Male Privilege In the Academy?

Posted on April 21, 2011 by RodtRDH
Angela Davis

I came across this open letter to Tulane scholar Shayne Lee via facebook, and it is pretty indicative of the experience African American women face when their scholarship challenges kyriarchy with the black community.

LINK: Shayne Lee, Your Revolution will not happen between these thighs: An Open Letter,

“There is a long and well-documented history of backlash against black feminist politics, including personal attacks against “second-wave” black feminists by Black men. The line-up includes Michele Wallace, Ntozake Shange, Alice Walker (perhaps the most demonized), Angela Davis, bell hooks, and Anita Hill. As early as the 1830s, Maria Stewart, the first woman of any race to speak publicly about women’s rights, delivered a farewell speech to the black community, especially ministers, after a brief career on the lecture circuit. Deeply resentful, she argued, “let us no longer talk of prejudice, till prejudice becomes extinct at home. Let us no longer talk of opposition, til we cease to oppose our own. . . . Men of eminence have mostly risen from obscurity; nor will I, although a female of a darker hue, and far more obscure than they, bend my head or hang my harp upon willows.” The fact these words ring true today and in this situation speak to both the tenacity of a black feminist politic and its necessity.

Although Dr. Tamura Lomax was speaking from a strictly academic context, I ponder in my experience in “the” black church that the same critique would apply to black male pastors (especially of baptist orientation) and their “ambitious” ministries.

Funny thing happened today. I read with a sixth grade class a very very abridged version of Jason and the Golden Fleece.

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RodtRDH

Formerly known as Rod of Alexandria, Rod the Rogue Demon Hunter Preacher of Hope | Black Scholar of Patristics | Writer for Nonviolent Politics. Destroyer of Trolls. It must be that angry puppy.

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About RodtRDH

Formerly known as Rod of Alexandria, Rod the Rogue Demon Hunter Preacher of Hope | Black Scholar of Patristics | Writer for Nonviolent Politics. Destroyer of Trolls. It must be that angry puppy.
This entry was posted in sexism, the Church and tagged , . Bookmark the permalink.

One Response to Black Male Privilege In the Academy?

  1. Pingback: After Lent: A reflection on giving up KYRIARCHY | Political Jesus

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