Women's and Gender Studies

WGST 3203 Black Women in Politics

This course will examine the political expressions of Black women in Canada and the United States from slavery to the present. Using a mix of books, primary sources, and film, we will seek answers to how Black women in Canada, and the U.S. expressed themselves as political actors despite being oppressed within the body politic for most of their history in these nations.

We will proceed in chronological order to study the diverse political expressions of Black women in both countries. The central question guiding our study will be how Black women, who have historically (and continue to) face exclusion due to their race, gender, and other intersecting identities, persist in developing a political voice and advocating for their goals. Our focus will include Black women’s struggles for personal autonomy, reproductive justice, social rights, sexual rights, civil rights, and political rights, which will enrich understanding of both Canadian and American political landscapes.