I had the challenge of discussing white feminism, bridgework, and intersectionality in ten minutes for a panel on “Race and the Women’s Movement” as part of my community’s celebration of Women’s History Month.
The panel was moderated by Mariel Fiori of La Voz and La Voz en la Radio. Panelists included:
- Susan Lewis, Professor Emerita in the Department of History at SUNY New Paltz, will discuss race in the suffrage movement.
- Evelyn Clarke is the former Ulster County Human Rights Commissioner and Youth Bureau Director. Evelyn is a voice-over artist and also serves as an ordained minister at New Progressive Baptist Church, Kingston, NY. She will reveal the “Unsung Sheroes of the Civil Rights and Black Nationalist Movement.”
- Rashida Tyler, Citizen Action of New York Board of Directors Member for the Hudson Valley, will speak about her experience in organizing and local government.
- Jessica Nydia Pabón-Colón, Assistant Professor at SUNY New Paltz, will speak about teaching and applying the feminist-of-color concepts, “bridgework” and “intersectionality.”
- Diane Harriford is a Professor at Vassar College and the current Vice President of the National Women’s Studies Association. She has also been the Chair of the Sociology Department and Director of the Women’s Studies Program at Vassar.
I have two videos: the first one is the official video of the entire event including Q&A. I begin speaking around minute 40. The second video was taken by a person in the audience, is a little shaky, but is a clip of just my ten minutes. Thanks for watching and please share!
Here are the texts I mention:
This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color by Cherríe Moraga (Editor), Gloria Anzaldúa (Editor)
On Intersectionality: Essential Writings by Kimberlé Crenshaw
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
On Being Included: Racism and Diversity in Institutional Life by Sara Ahmed
Jessica Nydia Pabón, Phd 