Womanist Forefathers Fredrick Douglas and W.E.B. Du Bois

[ismnotwasm]

I was just looking around and found this little book on male African American support for Black womanism/feminism. I haven't read the whole thing-- I'll do that today--but love this intro of acknowledgments:

7. First for my pro-woman(ist) godfather, Bishop James Howard— When I needed you most, you came into my life. I hear the raspy tone of your voice even now as you called me by name—“Brother Gary.” Years ago, in search of black pro-woman(ist) forefathers, I discovered Frederick Douglass and W. E. B. Du Bois. I did not know then that it was you for whom I searched, you for whom I yearned.
You taught me the lessons of feminist fatherhood I needed to write this book, with all the wise counsel and intellectual and spiritual insights you brought to our weekly meetings over the course of two years. Like a mantra, the words you habitually spoke to me have remained with me: “You have something to say.” I have said it—it is done.
And for the feminist / womanist women whose minds, hearts, and hands modeled my vision of pro-woman(ist) black men and gender justice in the world— bell hooks, Jacqui Alexander, Kim Vaz, Aaronette White, Beverly Guy-Sheftall, Alice Walker, Audre Lorde, Barbara Smith, Rosalyn Terborg-Penn, Paula Giddings, Angela Davis, Layli Phillips, Fanni Green (my life partner / wife), and Thelma Jean Lemons (my mother). Finally, for my children: Gabriel, Elmore, and Danyealah for allowing me to include your stories to illustrate the challenges of feminist-womanist fatherhood.

And of course the definition included here by the incomparable Alice Walker

8. Womanist: A black feminist or feminist of color . . . Committed to survival and wholeness of entire people, male and female . . . Not a separatist . . . Traditionally universal, as in: “Mama, why are we brown, pink, and yellow, and our cousins are white, beige, and black?” Ans.: “Well, you know the colored race is just like a flower garden, with every color flower represented.”

Traditionally capable, as in: “Mama, I’m walking to Canada and I’m taking you and a bunch of other slaves with me.” Reply: “It wouldn't be the first time.” Womanist is to feminist as purple to lavender [emphasis added]. Alice Walker (1983, xi–xii) Pro-woman(ist): employed in Womanist Forefathers to describe a genderprogressive black male who supports the social, economic, sexual, and political rights of “woman” transnationally and womanist thinking (as a black feminist or feminist of color) simultaneously.

http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/view?login=asartehuti&title=gary-l-lemonswomanistforefathersfrederickdbookosz1org

The failures of white feminism to address the specific challenges of women of color continue. I still re-read a philosophy essay in a feminist philosophy book by a Native American woman woman who didn't self-identify as a feminist, because while what was done to her people was certainly gendered by her oppressors, her entire culture, female and male was nearly annihilated. She didn't want to make the division of gender, she felt it didn't help her people's road to recovery and reclamation of culture

In that same sense the term "Womanist" came about, when an entire people or race had been and continues to be systematically oppressed, and even though women are the last to rise, I see the need for an inclusive term and philosophy that oppressed males can identify with, even embrace.

Me, I am a feminist as pure and simple as I can make it. While there are many complaints about it being the much maligned "F" word, with Pop stars denying they are feminist and then go and espouse feminist values and all, the plain truth is feminism was and continues to be powerful force for social justice.

In the recent rape threads, the impact of feminism in "reducing rape", raising awareness about violence against women the world over, advocating in courts, organizing events like VDay etc. wasn't mentioned. No it's "porn" or "legal prostitution". The literal blood and death that it took to shake up society to even consider male sexual privilege is largely ignored in asinine arguments that are, essentially about male ejaculation.

Which would actually be hilarious if it wasn't for those who still suffer.

[IrishAyes]

1. Well said. I have nothing of additional value to add.