Black Women Keep Teaching Me
As an Afro-Latina, I have always made it my business to learn from Black women on a host of things. I was born in Brooklyn and raised on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, so it was second nature for me to be around my black siblings and it never felt awkward for this plátanos and collard greens girl (that’s the beauty of NYC). Thankfully, I have also had some good sisters up close in my life, like Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook, Lisa Sharon Harper, and others.
Recently, in addition to the book The Sisterhood: How a Network of Black Women Writers Changed American Culture by Courtney Thorsson, I discovered Jenn M. Jackson’s Black Women Taught Us, which inspired this post.
In a society fraught with political division, the rise of Christian nationalism, and the persistent shadow of racism, the wisdom and resilience of Black women offer invaluable lessons for all of us. Jenn M. Jackson’s book, which came out in January 2024, Black Women Taught Us, is a testament to this enduring legacy. As an Afro-Latina, specifically Boricua, I find these teachings particularly pertinent, especially given our shared experiences of marginalization and struggle. My journey of learning from Black women has been transformative, enriching, and sometimes challenging, but always deeply rewarding. This is why I hope more Latinas are paying attention.
The Lessons
Intersectionality: A Framework for Understanding Oppression
Kimberlé Crenshaw introduced the idea of intersectionality, which was one of the main lessons from Jackson's work. There have been many others who have built upon that work. This framework helps us understand how different aspects of identity — race, gender, and class — intersect to create unique experiences of oppression and privilege. Black women’s lives exemplify this intersectionality, navigating the complexities of multiple forms of discrimination. For Latinas, embracing this concept is crucial. But I realize many still have a long way to go with this. However, embracing the concept empowers us to address the multifaceted nature of our own struggles and fosters solidarity with others facing similar challenges.
The Strength of Community Organizing
Black women have a long history of community organizing, from the Civil Rights Movement to contemporary activism like Black Lives Matter. Their ability to mobilize, strategize, and create change from the grassroots level is a powerful example for Latinas. We have seen that in almost every election and this 2024 election cycle is no different. 44,000 Black women mobilized for Kamala Harris, organized by Win With Black Women via a Zoom call and raised at last count, $1.8 million. It inspired white women to do the same and they raised $8.5M. Latinas too were inspired and raised $110,000 (I know, I know, we could have done better).
This was fascinating to see in the short time span in which it all occurred. But the quick mobilizing was not new to Black sisters as they have been about that for decades. Their very survival has often depended on it. They learned and taught those of us watching that building strong, supportive communities can amplify our voices and effectively advocate for the just world we want to see. The strength of collective action, as demonstrated by Black women, is a lesson that resonates deeply in our fight for equality.
Resilience and Adaptability
The resilience of Black women is legendary. Many often say they wish they didn’t have to be “resilient” and “strong” all the time. They are tired of needing to be all that in this world yet they rise to the occasion all the darn time. Despite enduring systemic racism and countless obstacles, they continue to thrive and lead. But this resilience is not just about enduring which is an important distinction, it is about transforming hardship into strength and opportunity. Latinas, too, face numerous challenges, from xenophobia to economic disparities. Learning from the resilience of Black women means embracing our struggles as sources of power and growth.
Faith as a Foundation for Justice
Faith has been a cornerstone of Black women’s activism, providing both solace and motivation. Figures like Sojourner Truth and Fannie Lou Hamer seamlessly integrated their faith with their fight for justice. In the current climate, where faith has been co-opted by nationalist agendas, this integration is more important than ever. For Latinas, our faith can be a powerful tool for advocating justice and inclusion, grounded in the true teachings of love and compassion. But as Dr. Renita Weems mentioned at the Womanist gathering I attended in Martha’s Vineyard this week:
Who you learn from is important, who mentors you matters, what you read forms you!
Too many Latinas are learning from leaders who don’t have their best interest in mind in spaces set on erasing us and our histories. They get fooled by the twisted but many scriptures these leaders use. In addition, since the U.S. is biblically illiterate, it’s no wonder so many are following these misinformed Pied Pipers.
Solidarity and Allyship
Black women have demonstrated the importance of solidarity and allyship, supporting a range of justice movements. Recognizing that our struggles are interconnected, [I believe] Latinas must stand in solidarity with Black women and other marginalized groups. This means actively combating anti-Blackness within our communities and working together towards common goals like making sure the right people are in the White House. By right, I don’t mean perfect or even perfectly aligned with our values (because what candidate has ever been that) but represents all of us (not just some of us) and is a person of character (when did that start not being a quality we looked for in leaders?).
Mujeristas can learn from Womanists
Latinas can learn invaluable lessons about being mujeristas from Black womanists, particularly in their approach to centering the experiences and voices of women of color in the struggle for social justice. Mujerismo, like womanism, emphasizes the importance of cultural identity, community, and holistic well-being. Black womanists have long championed the idea that liberation and empowerment must be inclusive of all facets of a woman’s identity, advocating for a justice that recognizes and respects the intersections of race, gender, and class. For Latinas, adopting these principles means embracing a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to activism, one that not only fights against gender oppression but also acknowledges the unique cultural and social challenges faced by Latina women. This solidarity and shared commitment to holistic liberation are crucial in building stronger, more resilient communities capable of confronting systemic inequities together.
We can also learn to gather and celebrate the scholars and pastors who live mujerismo, in some form among us.
Learning and Growing Together
My own experiences at gatherings where I learn from Black women have been profoundly impactful. I attended the Proctor Conference in February, participated in the Black Women in Ministry project funded by the Lily Endowment for almost four years, and recently attended the Womanist at the Inkwell event hosted by the Black Religious Scholars Group which was a celebration of faith and sisterhood at Martha’s Vineyard. This event, which brought together some of the most brilliant black women pastors and scholars from around the country was a powerful reminder of the importance of sisterhood and scholarship. Despite not always feeling fully embraced by some (especially since some are suspicious of Latinos in general, who have sided more with oppressors than with the marginalized), the opportunity to learn from Black women in these settings has been invaluable. Their insights and experiences enrich my understanding and inspire my activism. So yeah, I just keep showing up!
What black women taught me, and I hope, teaching other Latinas is to feel the pain and mobilize anyway. Their very lives are a call to action. The lessons imparted by Black women — embracing intersectionality, community organizing, resilience, faith, and solidarity — are vital in our pursuit for the abundant life the Creator wants all of her children to experience.
By learning from their experiences and integrating these lessons into our own lives, we can contribute to a broader movement for equality and justice. The journey may not always be easy, but it is one worth undertaking, for it holds the promise of a better future for all. Thank you for living the lessons my sisters. This Afro-Latina will continue to watch and learn from you.
