The Black Feminist Caucus (BFC) is a women-led group working within the Black Radical Congress (BRC) to build a movement for the liberation of Black people. We believe that the Black liberation movement fights for a world in which Black people and all people are free from economic exploitation, and all forms of oppression and discrimination. Our history as oppressed people, the tradition of women as leaders and militant fighters, and the inclusive definitions of family that many of us have embraced as survivors of slavery and colonialism belie the assumption that men are the "natural leaders" of our community or movement or that male-dominated families are the best way to raise children. In contrast, history suggests that it is only when women and men live and fight side by side that we move closer to a healthy and just society. We therefore insist that the BRC maximize women's leadership as a way to guard against chauvinism of the past and present.

We ground our analysis in the experiences of Black women—women who bear the brunt of multiple oppressions in this society. Specifically we give priority in our work to sisters at the very bottom of the economic ladder; sisters who every day suffer the violence of poverty, sexual abuse, physical abuse, the criminal (in)justice system, substandard or non-existent health care, poor working conditions and low wages—when work exists, unemployment and inadequate child care. The people this society places last, we place first.

We believe that the Black liberation movement will only be successful and principled when it consciously, consistently, and aggressively fights against patriarchy (the assumption that men should naturally dominate the family and by extension organizations, institutions, and society); misogyny (the hateful and violent treatment and depiction of women); sexism (the institutional subordination of women); and rigid and narrow definitions of masculinity, femininity and family that compromise the humanity of women, children and men. A critical part of our Black feminist vision is the militant opposition to homophobia (fear, animosity, discrimination and violence against lesbians, gay, bisexual, and trans-gendered people) and heterosexism (the privileges, recognition and rights enjoyed only by heterosexuals and the assumption that heterosexuality is the only "normal" sexual identity).

As radical Black feminists we see a holistic approach to liberation as necessary, one that fights on multiple fronts simultaneously. We oppose imperialism (political and economic domination of nations and oppressed peoples both in the U.S. and world-wide); capitalist exploitation (the exploitation of the majority—poor and working people—for the benefit of the few—rich, ruling class and corporate elites; and the commodification of all aspects of human existence); white supremacy (the belief in the superiority of "whiteness" as a racial category and the systemic domination of all people of color under this hierarchy); and national oppression (the political, economic, and racial domination of Black people throughout the U.S.), as systems of oppression that assault the humanity of millions of women all over the world. We insist that the fight against patriarchy and homophobia is indivisible from the fight to eliminate all other systems of oppression and exploitation that intersect in all of our lives.

We understand that patriarchy has existed throughout history in various economic and social systems. We recognize that if we eliminate just imperialism and capitalist exploitation, we will not be free; if we only eliminate white supremacy, we will not be free; if we eliminate only patriarchy and heterosexism, we will not be free. Our vision is to forge a radical Black feminist movement which battles on each of these fronts simultaneously. We unite with our sisters across the globe who are fighting to eliminate the same systems of oppression. A radical Black feminist vision challenges us to root out injustices at every level and in every crevice of our lives, communities, organizations and societies.

Black Radical Congress
National Office
Columbia University Station
P.O. Box 250791
New York, NY 10025-1509
Phone: (212) 969-0348
blackradicalcongress@email.com