How We Get Free: Black Feminism and the Combahee River Collective

by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor

Negroland by Margo Jefferson?

Celestine Ware was an African American woman who wrote this book, Woman Power. Had to have been published in ’68 or maybe ’69. ’68 probably, because it was a paperback. I basically stumbled on this book, but when I sat there and started leafing through it, I immediately knew I was a feminist. I was like, “Oh, that’s what I am! [laugh] OK, I get it now.”

But it was this analysis of our condition. Recognizing sexism, recognizing heteropatriarchy. Recognizing the right and the responsibility of us to analyze our position as [women as] a part of our radical perspective. It was required. It wasn’t that you shouldn’t be analyzing, nor was it race versus gender. And then the other thing that really stood out was it was unapologetic. Because I was—I felt unapologetic. I was really clear that I had a right to investigate my personal power. And that’s what I wanted to say to you, Keeanga. I was obsessed with the idea of what it means to be empowered.