Dear Black Man by Fran Sanders Discussion

Discussion for Fran Sanders “Dear Black Man”:

In the open letter “Dear Black Man” Sanders addresses the painful marginalization of black women in America. Their experiences and sufferings are complex: doubly marginalized both as black and as women in a nation that historically privileges whites and males. Can you analyze the ways in which Sanders describes this painful predicament of the black woman in America? How does a black woman navigate complex experiences around racism and sexism as controlling structures of systematic oppression against their bodies while confronting the internalized “white supremacist” notions of gender roles on black women that otherwise privileges the white women?

Discussion for Toni Cade Bambara’s “On the Issues of Roles”:

Toni Cade Bambara opens the discussion of the categorization of gendered roles in black revolution arguing that the “usual notions of sexual differentiation in roles is an obstacle to political consciousness” and that such gendered differentiation is “a shame, for revolutionary must be capable of, above all, total self-autonomy” (124). For the past two weeks, you have been reading essays, poems, letters and watching music videos to understand the role and position of black women combating racism and sexism in America. Can you analyze the ways in which Bambara is asking us to re-evaluate what masculinity and femininity has to do with the politics of black consciousness, self-hood and emancipation? What is her argument for empowering an “androgynous self” and to let go of “all notions of manhood and femininity and concentrate on Blackhood?” (125).

250 words for each questions. reply 2 students questions 100 words for each.