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Motherism in Praxis (Motherism in western context in the current political environment).
The question has been raised: How is Motherism, both as a theory and in practice, relevant in the Western, specifically American, context during times of significant social and political challenges?
The theory of Motherism is focused on the praxis of ordering, reordering and creating structures. Black women have consistently organized across organizations, economics, and education to establish, restructure, and create systems. The launch of Kamala Harris's presidential campaign has inspired and invigorated Black women in America, applying the principles of Motherism to their politics. You might wonder how this is accomplished.
Historically, Black women's clubs and sororities have addressed community needs, social justice issues, and family well-being by mobilizing resources to promote racial uplift. This legacy began with individual acts that shaped history, such as Sojourner Truth’s challenge to white women within the segregated Suffragette Movement. Her powerful question, “Ain’t I a woman?” sparked critical reflection on the place of Black women in the fight for freedom and political rights. Truth's question confronted the exclusion of Black women from a movement that prioritized white women's agendas, raising the issue of whether the fight for voting rights was meant solely for white women or for all women. By framing her challenge in terms of both citizenship and her identity as a Black woman, Truth underscored the unique injustice faced by Black women, asserting their humanity and agency in the political realm. The movement for voting rights has motivated Black women for years, fueled by a strong sense of righteous indignation, to demand equal access to the ballot.
The women’s suffragette march of 1913 organized by Alice Paul and Lucy Burns was a turning point for Black women’s activism. Nellie Quander, of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc refused to participate in the Suffragette march in Washington, D.C., if she and her sorority sisters were required to march in the rear. Delta Sigma Theta chose to march on Pennsylvania Avenue, making themselves visible to the world on the issue of voting rights; their presence ushered in a turning point for Black women in public expressions of political opposition. It is important to note other women of color marched that day on Pennsylvania Ave. These two distinct responses by Black women's groups to the crucial issue of voting rights continue to have a lasting impact on American politics today. Future generations of Black women, such as Constance Baker Motley, Shirley Chisholm, Ella Baker, Fannie Lou Hammer and Rosa Parks, to name a few followed in the footsteps of Colored Women’s Clubs, sororities, and other Black women’s organizations, with many more continuing to make significant contributions to a singular vision of justice for humanity. These women in varying phases of Black women’s history are working in a world in which they have no formal authority, no voice in the public sector. Black women’s leadership is not rooted in sanctioned authority, but in addressing needs or problems. The strategy of using Black women’s liberation methods are a way of being embedded in their sense of agency emphasizing love and care. Historically, these efforts have focused on both establishing and reimagining societal structures. Re-ordering involves addressing the same issue while improving it, with the goal of including women who share the same vision. This process nurtures and benefits the Black community. Motherist principles in action.
The creation and organizing of leadership structures among Black women has been masterfully guided by the goal of addressing gender inequality, and race by empowering not only Black people but all marginalized individuals. This is exemplified in the current efforts of coalition building for Vice President Kamala Harris and her bid to become the next President. The structure created is that of coalition building.
Black women developing organizations such as Win with Black Women and Higher Heights which go beyond fraternal affiliations, religious affiliation, political affiliation or any designated affinity groups. Higher Heights and Win with Black Women have crossed the membership criterias to engage all Black women without exclusion based on the bonds of trust and looking to a new sense of authority. This is the creation of structure after the process of order and re-ordering has happened. The restructuring of how we as Black women support causes that benefit not just Black women and Black family but humanity as we see it, Motherism at its best.
The success of this effort will be measured in three distinct ways:
The number of Black women engaged in the political process for the 2024 election, participating in updates via Zoom.
Millions of dollars raised to support the cause.
Lastly, the ultimate marker of success will be the outcome of the Presidential election and who wins the White House.
DO SOMETHING!
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