Questions to Get Into the "Soul of Black Women"

"You're studying WHAT?"

"Africana Women's Studies"

"African Women's Studies?"

"No, AFRICANA Women's studies"

"OHHH, I got it, African American Women's Studies"

"Well, sorta. It's Africana Women's Studies. Like a combination of women's studies and African American studies. We study women of African decent, in America or abroad, African American cultural studies and how that affects women, and theories centered around Black Feminism--"

"Oh, so you one of them feminist huh?"

I usually groan to myself at this point because there is so much people do NOT know about Black Women or African women. In a sense, if we use the modern definition of feminism, all Black Women have "feminist" tendencies. But that's not my frustration. I get aggravated when people make assumptions without ever asking me for clarity. But, all my encounters do not end this way. Actually, I have ran into a few people who are genuinely interested in the topic enough to ask me questions. There is nothing I can do about the ignorant, racist, male chauvinists out there. However, I will gladly answer questions for those people who actually want to know more about what I study.

Not too long ago, I went into a bridal shop to pick up my bridesmaids dress. I figured it was going to be a quick trip. After all, I only had to pick up my dress, try on the dress, and pay for it. Little did I know that I would be staying in the shop discussing women of color with the sales lady. It started similar to the conversation above, only the last statement was not made. Also, unlike the conversation above, she knew I was a student. What I found weird was that I never told her I was a student, nor did I give her a clue that I was a student. Perhaps I have the "student look", I have no idea. Anyway, her next question is, "What do you study? Law?" I replied, "Oh no! I am getting my Master's in Africana Women's Studies." She also asked for clarity, similar to the conversation above. After I received a quick history and cultural lesson regarding Latina women (after all, she was half Dominic Republic and half Puerto Rican), she asked me some very interesting questions about Black women. She asked me the surface questions that many people ask me, but she also asked me some very thought provoking questions. It was clear that by the end of our conversation, she was greatly impressed with my anwsers. Just as I was about to walk out the door, she said, "You should write a book". I have heard this before from various people and quickly brushed it off as a crazy thought. However, this woman actually gave me the title for this future book. She also wanted me to make sure it made Oprah's reading list. lol. She proclaimed, "Name your first book 'The Soul of Black Women'. Then I added, "The woman behind the mask." Before we know it, we are both jumping up and down with excitement. She told me that when I write my first book to never forget her. Quite frankly, that would be difficult to do. I have that title on my sticky note as a reminder to fulfill my promise to her. Also, that was the inspiration behind the title of this blog.

Anyway, I digress. The purpose of this blog was to actually write down questions that have been asked of me as well as my answers. There have been many questions people have asked me out of curiosity. I suppose hearing, "Africana Women's Studies" is certainly a conversation starter. So below is a list of questions many people have asked me over the past year. I hope this adds some clarity to the "woman behind the mask". Keep in mind that I am not a spokesperson for all Black Women. I do not claim to be and, quite frankly, I do not WANT to be. I simply am adding in scholarly information mixed with personal observation. In other words, I simply theorize. But, I have had these conversations so much, I almost can hear them in my sleep.

First, after the quick explanation, the first question I am ALWAYS asked is, "Well, what do you want to do with that?"

Well, I want to teach at a university or college. Specifically, I want to teach at an HBCU (historically Black college or university). I would like to conduct research as well, focusing on Black women and Black youth. In the end, I would love to start a non-profit catering to this particular population of women, or all women of color. But, the PLAN is to get my PhD and then teach. Teaching, education, and activism are the most important ways to liberate Black Women.

The next question that follows usually is, "So you study African American women?"

Technically I study women of African decent. So that includes women in so-called "Third World" countries, women of color, African women in other countries, as well as Black women in America. So basically, ALL African women, not just African American women.

They are usually done after I answer those questions. Yet some people probe even further by asking, "How is that different from simply going into Women's Studies?"

Great question! Actually, what a lot of people do not know is that Women's Studies usually focuses on the history of middle-class, bourgeoisie, white women and less about women of color. After all, throughout women's history, Black women's history is different from White women's history. Yes, they have worked together in some instances, but their political agenda's were usually different. So, while we touch on "general women's studies" , we focus on the rise of the Black Feminism and Black women's contribution to women's studies. Actually, we'd like to think that women's studies IS the study of Black women. So, there is a difference.

"Well, since you are ALREADY a Black woman, don't you know all the answers?"

(Now this question sometimes would frustrate me, depending on my mood) Actually, there are a lot of things we do not know about our history. There are people that study American history, European History, or World History, why can't there be something that studies women of African decent? Believe it or not, there is a lot that we do not know about ourselves, that can be revealed through our history and aesthetics. So, no, ironically I do not know all the answers simply because I am a Black woman. I learn more about myself the more I research about Black history.

"Isn't women's studies a field that a lot of lesbians study? Does that mean you and your classmates are lesbian?"

(Again, another question that sometimes frustrates me) Not at all! Simply because we are in the business of empowering women does not mean we are Lesbians. That's a common misconception about women's studies. There are lot of women in this field who are not Lesbians. Most of my classmates are either married, married with children, or in serious relationships with men. None of us are Lesbian. Actually, we all love men very much. :) While there are Lesbians who are in this field, there are Lesbians in ANY field of study. You'd be surprised the majority of us that are not gay. So no, I am not a Lesbian, bi-sexual, in the closet, or whatever. hehehehehe.


"You not going to burn your bra or anything, are you?"

( I can't help it, this question usually makes me laugh) No! I love my bras. And quite frankly, I paid too much for them to burn them. Plus, they keep my girls perky! :) That's more of a white woman's symbol of feminism, not a black woman's. As far as I know, we kept our bras on. :)

"So you don't believe in the institution of marriage? You do not want to get married or have children?"

Again, another misconception about women's studies. Yes, there are women in the field who do not believe in the institution of marriage. That is simply ONE theory to explain the oppression of women throughout history. Again, Black women's history takes a different approach. Black women love their Black men so much, sometimes to a fault. Plus, throughout our history, marriage was never a form of oppression. Quite frankly, we were oppressed OUTSIDE the home more than we were INSIDE the home. So our battles are more the fight against racism and sexism. So the institution of marriage is the LEAST of our worries. And yes, I do want to get married one day and have children. Not because I am falling into the social construct of a woman's purpose in life, but because I want to be loved. Also, I want to share my life with someone I love and having a life with them. So sure, I do want to get married. Why, are you interested? ;) lol.

"Does what you study shed light on how and why Black women are the way they are today?"

Oh absolutely. Not only Black women, but the Black race in general. History has always been a tool used to understand our present condition. For example, it sheds a lot of light on our personalities, such as the "Superwoman" myth, helps me understand that our goals differed from the goals of other women, and it helps me see our contribution to American history. Most importantly, it helps one understand the complexities of race, class and gender. Studying Black women gives you an inside glance on this triple oppression. So yes, it does. Very much so.


"If you study this, what is your take on the misogyny in hip-hop and R&B?"

Very good question. I believe this is a very complex relationship. After all, in my generation, we grew up listening and loving hip-hop and R&B. In our generation, we have also seen the rise and fall of hip-hop and R&B. So we always have a soft spot for this music. Like I said, it's a complex relationship. On one hand, we love our music so much because you grew up with it, like a family member you have watched it grow and mature. On the other hand, it did not mature the way you wanted it to. So you are stuck with this person, who had such a promising future, yet has not grown in the way you wanted them to. So, our thoughts on our music are bitter sweet. While they degrade women, we can't help but love it. It's like that lover that commits domestic abuse. However, all of our music is not misogynistic. So, most of my focus is on music that focuses on life situations, not putting down women. I find myself listening to old R&B and hip-hop, not the crap they put on now. But, that's another blog for another day. :)

If you have any additional questions or want to add to this conversation regarding black women, women of color, or women in general, please feel free to ask your questions/comments in the comment section and I can make another blog to answer your question(s). But this is simply a small glimpse into the woman behind the mask. :)