
I will be furthering my argument from my earlier manifesto, discussing racial and feminist issues.  Anger is defined as, a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility.  Anger is built up inside of me as a result of my treatment, of being a woman, in this country.  The most important aspect of this anger is the way we as a group of women decide to use it.  This recent election was probably the angriest I have ever been as a woman.  Hillary Clinton is one of the strongest public figures I have ever seen, and yes she happens to be a woman.  But her supporters are strong as well.  They managed to dust themselves off and use this anger to fuel change.  As Jeffrey Wright tweeted, “May the election of Trump bring forth the fiercest, smartest, toughest generation of ass-kicking women this country could possibly imagine.”  I really hope we can prove him right too.  I feel this argument is extremely important because of how relevant it is throughout the entire history of fight towards women’s equality. 

 My main focus will be a piece written by Audre Lorde, “Poetry is not a luxury.”  Lorde mentions so many different ideas and quotes that I plan to expand on, such as the dark place every woman carries with her in life.  I will also be touching upon other pieces by Audre Lorde, titled “The Master’s Tool will never dismantle the Master’s house,” and also “The Uses of Anger: Women Responding to Racism.”  These articles will be useful to my argument pitch because of the interesting points the writers make.  I will be analyzing the arguments the authors make, and expand upon them.  I will also use these articles to further my thoughts on racial and gender discrimination in our society, from my original manifesto paper.  

The two topics of feminist and racial issues have managed to intertwine as our countries progress.  Women involved in Civil Rights movements were the first women to really speak up for their rights, and make strides towards some real change for women.  Change is not just meant for women in the United States but for all women around the world, gaining more rights, and more equality.  When Hillary Clinton traveled to China and said, “Women’s rights are human rights, and human rights are women’s rights once and for all,” it shocked the world.  But those are the types of powerful movements we as a people need to make to not only help our country, but the entire world.  

I also plan to use other sources besides articles to support my argument.  I think in today’s culture music, movies, and media are fantastic sources of the injustice within prejudices among our society today.  I have also found several documentaries, and movies to be a powerful source of support towards the movement of change in America.  Talking about the past and the history of change this country has already made is so important.  Movies do a very good job of portraying this aspect that I think lots of people overlook.  The documentary, “She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry” illustrates the women’s liberation movement.  It amazingly shows the connection between women involved with civil rights issues, and women now fighting for women’s rights issues.  Young people may not fully understand the type of brutality that was present in our country not too long ago.  I think this movie does a wonderful job of accurately representing change. 

In “Poetry is Not a Luxury,” by Audre Lorde she talks a lot about the black space women hold.  A kind of darkness inside each woman that she holds deep down.  “For each of us as women, there is a dark place within where hidden and growing our true spirit rises” (Lorde 1).  Each woman holds so much potential inside, in which historically they are not allowed to release into the world.  Lorde goes on to say, “These places of possibility within ourselves are dark because they are ancient and hidden; they have survived and grown strong through darkness” (Lorde 1).  She uses the word “ancient” to convey the fact that this has gone on long before any of us existed.  This build-up of unused potential lurks inside every woman, passed on from generations of women who were unable to express their thoughts.  It is important to know that this is an issue that still has not been solved, although women are gaining more of a voice.  I think this article is a perfect example of the past within the feminism movement, and that the present is still struggling.  

In, “The Uses of Anger: Women Responding to Racism” by Audre Lorde the differences between black women and white women is discussed.  Although they are fighting for the same thing today, there always has been a social hierarchy.  One of the most influential, iconic women of the women’s liberation movement is Susan B. Anthony.  Yet even she, only pushed for white women to gain the right to vote and not black women.  Not a lot of people focus on that piece of her history or even know the significance of that type of separation.  The article gives examples such as, a little white girl seeing a little black girl in the supermarket, and calling her a “baby maid.”  This was in 1967, but that same mother who did not correct her daughter may very well still be alive carrying around the same prejudices towards black women.  She goes on to explain as long as some black women are chained or shackled and essentially oppressed in their lives, all Black women share the feeling.  Until everyone wakes up to see the problem the problem is not going to be fixed.  We need to come together as a whole, as ALL women no matter the color, or sexuality.  Finally, Lorde explains it is anger that fuels us.  We cannot allow as women, this anger to overcome us.  We must use this form of anger to motivate us towards change.  This article in the context of anger, perfectly puts how I feel anger is best put to work.  

Another piece by Audre Lorde is “The Master’s Tool will never dismantle the Master’s house.”  I really liked this piece because it spoke up the faults within our systems attempts to become more equal.  Although Lorde was speaking at NYU on behalf of Humanities conference, she felt they were missing the point.  Instead of constantly hiding our differences and acting as if they do not exist, let us embrace them.  If a woman is black and/or gay, let’s talk about it.  It exists, there are differences between well-off white women and poor black women.  Although we are moving towards the same fight for equality of women, and racial justice within women, we all come from different backgrounds.  I am sure I, a white Northern woman from an upper-class family, have different experiences than Audre Lorde who is black, and gay.  That is what we should be discussing and how to account for every one’s equality together.  

The documentary, “She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry” is available on Netflix and documents the lengths women went to make their voices heard.  The most fascinating part of the movie for me is when the many women involved within civil rights organizations speak up about the way they were treated within the organizations.  One woman states, “I tried to speak up during a meeting once, and a man stood up and told me to shut up because I did not know what I was talking about.  That made me mad.”  This happened to women everywhere who decided that they were going to do something about this.  This is similar to the message Lorde was trying to spread awareness about, turning anger into action.  It was interesting to me that although women were helping out in causes such as civil rights, they were being objectified within the cause for simply being a woman.  So truly at a time of division and change within races, they were not accepted, or taken seriously in this country for being a woman.  It truly was black women, and women within the civil rights movement, who were the anchors of the women’s liberation movement.

Another form of media is the Black Lives Matter campaign.  The Black Lives Matter group strives to push for more progress for ALL lives in this country.  The corporation was started by Lesbian, Black women.  They wanted to simply see more change in this country, and with the help of media, the idea really caught fire.  With the help of all different types of media’s, things can get done in this country.  Especially when driven by passionate, young people.  Black Lives Matter program is about so much more than just black injustices with cops, and views from white folks.  It’s about the equalization of ALL black lives.  In the About Me section on the website the following is said, “Black Lives Matter affirms the lives of Black queer and trans folks, disabled folks, black-undocumented folks, folks with records, women and all Black lives along the gender spectrum” (BLM 1).  This is of course a core value because the founders of this organization are black, queer women.  I think lots of groups overlook the correlation of black and women’s rights, but they go hand and hand.  Discussing the differences within Black Lives, or women is how we are going to move towards change, which is what this organization expresses.  

All of these sources are so vital to the argument of the continuation of progress that still needs to be had to get civil and women’s rights in the right direction.  Understanding they intertwine is the first step.  As time progresses, more people are seeing that young women are the forces behind measures of change.  All of the very different sources help to understand how all the different progress in our country is done.  It is led by women of color, and all backgrounds of people coming together to serve one purpose. 

I am a white woman, fighting for equality, with an understanding of the differences all women share.  These roads should not be separated, but they should be intertwined to become stronger.  By understanding how the women’s rights movement started, and how it continues to progress, will lead this country towards a more equal society.  Not only is their anger leading the fight for women’s equality, but there is hate and race driven between women everywhere.  It is extremely important for women to understand the lack of equality between all types of women.  There is a difference between treatment of black women, and white women.  Once more feminist activists realize this, we will progress further towards equality.  I look at it like two roads and I am trapped in the middle. 

Anger can be a beautiful thing.  By using anger, the correct way, change is possible.  I have found myself angry with the treatment of myself and other women across the world.  The uses off anger are so important, to make sure you do it the right way.  Turning anger into action without the use of aggression is the way to do it.  Again, Audre Lorde explains the uses of anger in her two pieces I mentioned earlier.  Peaceful protestors are looked upon as passionate people fighting for their rights among media outlets.  By turning to aggression and letting it overcome the anger, you have now become the aggressor.  No longer can your cause be helped because our fight is no longer the victim in the situation.  Martin Luther King Jr. is the perfect example of a leader who taught less hate, and more peace.  He expressed this within all of his protestors.  Never fight back, always stand tall to your morals.  These are ideals that the Black Lives Matter movement has held close.  They express love and equality, and always teach to remain peaceful protestors. 

This past election was extremely troubling to me in many ways.  I think it said a lot about our country as a whole.  That we value bigotry and hatred over love.  A striking statistic to me is the percentage of different minorities of women that voted for each party.  Black women voted 94% for Hillary, while white women voted 53% for Donald Trump (citation).  I was so excited for Hillary Clinton to become the next President of the United States for so many reasons.  But one in particular that hurts to think about is that she would be proving my parents right.  I have always grown up taught that I can do anything I put my mind to, even become the President.  Although it did not happen now, I keep hope alive that I will live to see that final glass ceiling break.  What saddens me the most is immediately after Hillary lost, she had to remind all the little girls across the nation of their worth and power.  The fact that she has to say that, is frightening to me.  No man would ever have to remind little boys of that notion.  Things are still not equal. 

The comic Bitch Planet, we read in class was a wonderful example of Black Women’s rights.  First off, comics do not usually contain black characters, let alone black female characters.  The author Kelly Sue DeConnick took a lot of heat for putting so many women in her comics, which is the inspiration behind Bitch Planet.  It puts an entertaining, story plot spin on the struggle black women struggle with.  Like me, the main character is angry with the way she is treated.  Society tries to form her into a perfect depiction of their women.  But she is not going to change for her “fathers.”  She later succumbs to violence, which is a depiction of her anger overcoming her body.  I love the ending because it ties into Lorde’s piece on dark inner places.  Although as peaceful feminist protestors we cannot let anger overcome the cause.  But, the feelings we have on the inside cannot be hidden.  When I have been told sexist remarks throughout my life I have wanted to get violent.  Boys have always joked for me to “go get them a sandwich” or “get back to the kitchen.”  It is not a joke and it is demeaning.  The comic of Bitch Planet illustrates how most women feel on the inside, frustrated and tired of being the bigger person for nothing in return.  But we have come a long way, by staying positive and peaceful we will achieve more success for all women, no matter the skin color.   

Despite the fact that I had a moderately normal, happy childhood, I wasn’t always treated perfectly.  I dealt with sexist remarks all through grade school.  My first encounter with sexist behavior was fourth grade.  Every morning we had a topic of the day in which we each expressed our thoughts behind a question.  The question was “what do you want to be when you grow up?”  I answered with The President of the United States of America.  Later that day a little boy told me I could not become President because I was a girl.  He explained that there had never been a female President, which means I cannot do it.  My mother remembers this experience to because I went home that night and cried.  Two months later I cried even harder when it was official that Barack Obama would be the next Democratic candidate, and not Hillary Clinton.  I had a reason to be angry even at such a young innocent age.  To be exposed to this sort of sexism at such a young age was harsh.  Little did I know at the time the strides were even larger for a black woman in our country. 

I also saw a level of sexism when playing sports with both boys and girls, boys always picked the girls last despite their talent.  In high school girls were not to wear spaghetti straps because it “distracted the boys.”  I was literally sent to an education system in which my school valued the boys learning atmosphere, over mine.  At family events when sports talk would come up, the old men would NEVER take into consideration the sports opinion of a woman.  I always had to keep quiet because if I voiced my views it only made things worse for myself.  To avoid conflict, I kept my mouth shut, well I am not doing that anymore.  Anger is built up inside of me because of all these situations.  How could it not be?  There is only so much a person can take before they decide enough is enough.  I am positive if you ask any boy in our class, he never dealt with the same problems.  I know many girls that dealt with the same types of situations.  I know I am not alone.  Which is why we as a female race need to stand together against gender, and racial inequalities.  

In conclusion, not only does race and gender intertwine when it comes to the fight towards justice, but the anger that powers it is important.  The anger behind the action must be smart, peaceful, and powerful.  We must keep in mind why we are doing what we are doing.  Never forget the experiences pushed upon us as people.  Never forget the time a boy told you to “go make him a sandwich,” or the time you were told “I only date white women not black women.”  These are the moments that strengthen our will to fight.  As Jeffrey Wright said, I will continue to work hard to make sure I am successful in spite of the hateful, sexist, racist people our country is filled with.  I will continue to push towards equality for all, and break glass ceilings.
