Racism and sexism are prevalent in the USA. It's quite interesting how they coincide. Over time there has been a stigma placed upon the "black woman". More and more has "the black woman's" voice become viewed as subordinate to that of their superiors. The black feminist of the late 20's century were not being heard, and weren't even given recognition by white feminist parties that they deserved. In "The Masters Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House" by Audre Lorde she speaks a great deal about challenging the implicitly embedded classism, racism, and homophobia within the women’s movements. She as a black lesbian feminist and quite often is her knowledge dismissed. She highlights that without the accounts of all women whether they are black, white, 3rd world, lesbian or even poor, there would not be a valid feminist theory. Lorde stated, "The absence of any consideration of lesbian consciousness or the consciousness of Third World women leaves a serious gap within this conference and within the papers presented here." I point this quote out because it discloses her displeasure for the lack of care between organizations that share the same principles, one being earning equal rights to men. I think this is a very important statement, “For the master's tools will never dismantle the master's house. They may allow us temporarily to beat him at his own game, but they will never enable us to bring about genuine change.” This is quite important as for women of color, their masters not only include white men but also but their fellow women who are white and their black men. One cannot use the tool of the master to progress or overthrow said master because at the end of the day, it is their tool and can been removed from your power at the drop of a dime. Lorde believes that inter-dependency is key and with it emancipation is at our fingertips.
                As a black women I strive to be my very best at every aspect in life. Black women have to, aspire and thrive on being strong but then get condemned for their survival. "Black women want to be proud, dignified, and free from all those false definitions of beauty and woman hood that are unrealistic and unnatural. We, not white men or black men, must define our own self-image as black women and not fall into the mistake of being placed upon the pedestal which is even being rejected by white women." This is an excerpt from The National Black Feminist Organization's Statement of Purpose, 1973.
              "The Combahee River Collective Statement" gives very good insight to the genesis, beliefs in terms of politics, the hardships faced when trying to organize the feminist, and their issues and practices. Black women activist felt the need to develop an anti-racial, anti sexist politic due to their experiences and disillusionment within the liberation movements. From a very young age girls are exposed to the idea that they are different from boys. Very few gain certain tools to help them achieve education and employment which aides us with our fight against oppression. "Above all else, Our politics initially sprang from the shared belief that Black women are inherently valuable, that our liberation is a necessity not as an adjunct to somebody else's may because of our need as human persons for autonomy. (Smith)" Black educated middle and upper class thinkers have greater sanctions towards them from both black and white communities and have expanded on the feminist principle that personal is political.