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Difficulty: HardBlack Feminist and Womanist Movements

Read the following excerpt from activist and writer Frances M. Beal's 1969 essay, "Double Jeopardy: To Be Black and Female":

> "The Black woman has been defined as a 'beast of burden' in the economic sphere and has suffered the dual oppression of race and sex. Therefore, those who are advocating that the Black woman align herself with the white feminist movement are overlooking the fact that the oppression of Black women is also inextricably bound up with the capitalist exploitation of her labor. A middle-class white woman's primary fight may be against male chauvinism, but for the Black woman, the struggle is also against a system that denies her and her family the very means of survival."

Based on the excerpt, which of the following best describes how Beal's analysis of the Black woman's condition distinguishes Black feminist thought from mainstream white feminism of the late twentieth century?

  1. It argues that Black women's liberation cannot be achieved solely by addressing gender equality, as their subjugation is simultaneously reinforced by racial oppression and economic exploitation.Answer
  2. B
    It suggests that Black women should prioritize gender solidarity with white women over racial solidarity with Black men to dismantle male chauvinism.
  3. C
    It aligns Black feminism with white feminism by arguing that both movements must focus exclusively on legal protections within the capitalist system.
  4. D
    It asserts that the struggle against patriarchy is secondary and should be deferred until racial and economic equality are fully achieved.

Answer

The correct answer states that Black women's liberation cannot be achieved solely by addressing gender equality, as their subjugation is simultaneously reinforced by racial oppression and economic exploitation.
The correct answer is correct because Beal's analysis highlights that the oppression of Black women cannot be isolated to gender alone. By introducing the intersection of race, sex, and capitalist exploitation (class), Beal demonstrates that the liberation of Black women requires dismantling multiple, interlocking systems of oppression, which distinguished Black feminist thought from the primary focus on gender equality in mainstream white feminism.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the primary source excerpt for the core argument.
Frances M. Beal argues that Black women suffer from a 'dual oppression of race and sex' that is 'inextricably bound up with the capitalist exploitation of her labor.'
This establishes the multi-dimensional nature of Black women's oppression according to early Black feminist theory.
2
Identify how Beal contrasts the Black female experience with that of white feminists.
Beal states that while middle-class white women focus primarily on male chauvinism (gender), Black women must also fight against a system (race and capitalism) that denies them survival.
This highlights the limitation of mainstream white feminism's single-axis focus on gender.
3
Select the option that accurately captures this distinction.
The option stating that Black women's liberation requires addressing race, gender, and class simultaneously aligns with Beal's description of 'double jeopardy' and its critique of mainstream white feminism.
This directly demonstrates mastery of the learning objective by showing how Black feminism developed a distinct, intersectional analysis.

Key Concept

Black Feminist Thought and Intersectionality
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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Topics

Black Feminist and Womanist Movements

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