Black Women’s Political Agency: From Historical Oppression to Leadership
Black women political leaders are increasingly drawing parallels between the historical oppression of enslaved people in the United States and the experiences of Palestinians. This emerging political discourse, led by figures like LaTosha Brown and Tiffany Cross, highlights how the legacy of American systemic injustice influences modern perspectives on international conflicts and domestic political choices.
Historian Paula Giddings, in her book When and Where I Enter: The Impact of Black Women on Race and Sex in America, notes that under the American system of enslavement, the status of a child was determined by the mother, effectively allowing the enslavement of offspring to be used as a tool to expand the forced labor force.
The Intersection of History and Modern Advocacy
LaTosha Brown, cofounder of Black Voters Matter, has connected her domestic civil rights work to observations made during a visit to Bethlehem. Brown reported witnessing an Israeli soldier aiming a weapon at children playing nearby, describing the act as treating them “like they were ducks.” Similarly, journalist Tiffany Cross, author of Love, Me: A Letter to Black Women in a Toxic Country, Career, and Relationship, stated that during a trip to the region, she observed that Palestinians are treated in a manner she identified as similar to the treatment of Black people in the U.S.
These observations are rooted in a broader analysis of American history. The text notes that the roots of American imperialism and the mistreatment of Muslim life are tied to the history of genocide and enslavement. Scholars Thavolia Glymph and Paula Giddings have documented how enslaved Black women were subjected to specific animus and dehumanization, including the medical experiments performed by J. Marion Sims, who operated on unanesthetized Black women and girls.
The significance of this perspective lies in the transition of Black women from a “uniquely acted-upon class” to a “unique class of political actors.” By framing their historical trauma as a bond, these leaders are leveraging their influence within the Democratic party to demand that the freedom of others be prioritized alongside their own, suggesting that the promise of a Black woman president carries weight beyond symbolic representation.
Political Implications for Future Elections
The desire for a Palestinian speaker at the 2024 convention reflected a consensus among many Black women supporting Vice President Kamala Harris. However, this advocacy exists within the context of a binary election choice between Donald Trump and Harris. Many in the Arab American community faced criticism from this group for what was perceived as the wrong choice in the 2024 election.
Looking ahead, the political influence of Black women is likely to remain a central force in shaping the Democratic platform. As Massachusetts congresswoman Ayanna Pressley stated, Black women have historically brought others along, working to realize the freedoms of others even when their own full freedoms were not actualized. Analysts may expect this coalition-building to continue, as these leaders use their collective political pressure to push for policy shifts that reflect their historical experiences with systemic oppression.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did LaTosha Brown witness in Bethlehem?
LaTosha Brown observed an Israeli soldier pretending to shoot at a group of children playing, an experience she described as seeing them treated “like they were ducks.”
How does the text connect the history of enslavement to current political views?
The text argues that the system of enslavement was a form of industrial-scale rape and exploitation that uniquely targeted Black women. This historical vulnerability informs how some Black women activists today view the treatment of Palestinians, identifying shared patterns of oppression.
What is the stance of Black women leaders regarding the 2024 election?
While many Black women felt a Palestinian speaker should have been included at the convention, they also viewed the election as a strict binary choice between Trump and Harris, often criticizing those they felt made the wrong choice in the Arab American community.
How do you believe the historical experiences of marginalized communities influence their engagement with contemporary international foreign policy?