Does Black Women's Knowledge Need White Male Validation?
Viola Davis says the answer is "yes," but it should be "no"
This video of Viola Davis provides one very specific example of the way Black women’s stories, knowledge production and experiences are seen as invalid unless the also validated by White men. Davis doesn’t pull any punches by also articulating that her projects can reach 98% of Black women, but it’s not enough unless Black men, White men and White women are all seen as being invested in her work. Otherwise, her work is seen as not being profitable enough.
The same can be said of religious scholarship. When “would-be allies” use our work by paraphrasing it but never giving credit or by making a copy of a chapter of our books instead of using us part of the core curriculum - these citational politics imply that the true validity comes from knowledge producers we care enough to name.
Here’s the challenge: 1) If you are a Black, African descended woman scholar trained to quote people like Foucault, Girard or Tillich, commit yourself to study of Black women whether cultural critics like bell hooks, or Sociologists like Patricia Hill-Collins, or even Ethicists such as Emilie Townes or Katie Cannon. Citational politics begins with the sea change and we are the waves. 2) If you are not a Black woman, but you would like to function as an ally, make a deliberate commitment to use the work of Black, African descended women in your courses. If you do not see us as professors or lecturers, request us to be paid guest lecturers. Include us in your syllabi. When you are asked to write, request that we also write chapters. And, in your work, quote the African descended women scholars who have helped in your thought process.
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