Authors

Barbara Smith

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 1976

Abstract

"Fascinating" as black women are, there are as many unexplored questions about black women's lives as there are people to ask them. Less is known about this group, whose identity encompasses membership in two oppressed castes, than is known about either of these castes separately. Black studies and research focus almost exclusively on black men and women's studies and research focus almost entirely on white women. Black women, whose experience is unique, are seldom recognized as a particular social-cultural entity and are seldom thought to be important enough for serious scholarly consideration. This invisibility, however, means that the opportunities for creative research are infinite. Since there are no "experts" on black women's lives (except those of us who live them), there is tremendous freedom to develop new ideas, to uncover new facts.

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