Black feminism, as defined by critical race and sociology scholars

Question

Black feminism, as defined by critical race and sociology scholars, focuses on the intersections between race, gender, class and other forms of oppression that dominate the lives of women of African descent. Una Marson's black feminism encompassed a tapestry of topics ranging from race pride, color prejudice and sexism to the plight of black working-class women.Marson's diverse early black feminist ideas about race, gender and class in Jamaica centered on problems that affected the majority of the black population on the island. Marson used sarcasm and irony in her early poems to highlight the significance of racial divisions, which lay at the centre of Jamaican society.

In London, Marson recounted the everyday forms of racism she faced in her eight stanza polemic poem 'Nigger', published in The Keys in 1933. Marson retells an incident about a group of white children shouting the racist moniker 'Nigger' at her as she strolled along a street. From one perspective, the poem demonstrates how the hostility she encountered in London significantly affected her. From another, it reveals the strengthening of Marson's racial consciousness and awareness of herself as black. Through her role as editor of The Keys, Marson's knowledge about racial injustices in Britain and throughout the African diaspora developed. In 1935, Marson gave voice to her burgeoning race politics as she stressed the importance of racial unity, claiming that the Negro world must come together and unite - only then could the Negro race contribute richly to the world. Black internationalism was a central theme in Pocomania, which was based on the Afro-Jamaican religion Pukkumina. The play attempted to challenge the idea of African backwardness and promote the celebration of African culture.

While in London, Marson's ideas about gender also changed from her previous efforts to encourage women to be more involved in society and critiquing patriarchy, which she voiced in Jamaica, to expressing the marginalisation and alienation she faced in white dominated London. These changes widened the scope of her black feminism, and informed and intersected with her intellectual ideas concerning black internationalism. The character of Stella in Pocomania is the embodiment of the motivated but confined New Woman. It is through Stella's exploration of and relationship with Pukkumina that Marson insisted on the feminist assertion of woman's right to power, pleasure and control over her body and sexuality.   1 
 1. The central theme of the passage is

A. The development of Black feminism in Britain and Jamaica in the 1930s
B. The evolution of an author’s views on Black feminism
C. The convergence of feminist and nationalist themes in Black literature
D. The life and works of a Black feminist author
E. The racist themes explored in feminist literature

2 
 2. The author of the passage refers to Stella’s relationship with Pukumina most probably in order to

A. Highlight how Marson’s works started reflecting both feminist and nationalist themes
B. Illustrate Marson’s feelings of marginalisation and alienation faced while in white dominated London
C. Showcase the strengthening of Stella’s racial consciousness and awareness of herself as black.
D. Point out how Marson identified with the character of Stella, as an example of the motivated, yet confined New Woman
E. Demonstrate how Marson used her works to challenge the idea of African backwardness and promote the celebration of African culture

3 
 3. According to the passage, each of the following widened the scope of Marson’s black feminism, EXCEPT

A. Being subjected to everyday forms of racism on the streets of London
B. Becoming aware of racist injustice throughout the African diaspora as the editor of The Keys
C. Witnessing the racist divisions that lay at the heart of Jamaican society
D. Developing a sense of racial consciousness and the realization of her black identity
E. Facing marginalization and alienation from the white population in London

globaldesi · Accepted Answer

Solution

1. OA: B

The central figure of this passage is Una Marson – we are concerned about her perspectives, works and views. So Black feminism and internationalism can be seen only in the context of her stand on these issues.

Options A, C and E talk broadly about Black feminism, literature etc., and do not mention the author at all. Therefore, incorrect.

D: The passage doesn't talk about Una Marson's life – it focuses on specific works and a specific period. This is too generic and incorrect.

B: Correct. The passage shows how Marson's views on feminism evolved over the years as she moved from Jamaica to London.

2. OA: A

The 25th line of the passage says that 'These changes widened the scope of her black feminism, and informed and intersected with her intellectual ideas concerning black internationalism.' The author highlights the fact that Marson explores not just feminist themes through her character Stella, but also nationalist themes, by stressing on Stella's relationship with her Afro-Jamaican religion.

Only option A does this.

B: 'Stella's relationship with Pukkumina' has no relation to Marson's marginalization in London.

C: Marson's racial consciousness strengthens – we don't know whether Stella's does.

D: We don't know whether Marson identified with Stella's character.

E: Again, we don't know whether Marson used multiple works to challenge the idea of African backwardness – Pocomania is just one example. Secondly, the particular lines 27-29 do not really demonstrate the promotion of African culture or the challenging of African backwardness.

3. OA: C

The scope of Marson's black feminism widened after she came to London, not before. So, what she witnessed in Jamaica will not help here. Therefore, C is correct.

ShankSouljaBoi · Answer

Question 2 is totally debatable. However, an interesting read !!!

bangmachiv · Answer

What the hell "nationalist" doing in OA of Q2. It is totally alien word.

I get why C is incorrect. It is never mentioned in passage that Artist associated with character; rather general female population associated with it.

Delete this question as there is no room for equating "racial justice" with "nationalism."

These kind of untested Questions daily shrink my faith on GMATClub RC's.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

1. The central theme of the passage is

Explanation

The central figure of this passage is Una Marson – we are concerned about her perspectives, works and views. So Black feminism and internationalism can be seen only in the context of her stand on these issues.

Options A, C  and  E  talk broadly about Black feminism, literature etc., and do not mention the author at all. Therefore, incorrect.

D:  The passage doesn't talk about Una Marson's life – it focuses on specific works and a specific period. This is too generic and incorrect.

B:  Correct.   The passage shows how Marson's views on feminism evolved over the years as she moved from Jamaica to London.

Answer: B

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

2. The author of the passage refers to Stella’s relationship with Pukumina most probably in order to

Explanation

The 25th line of the passage says that 'These changes widened the scope of her black feminism, and informed and intersected with her intellectual ideas concerning black internationalism.' The author highlights the fact that Marson explores not just feminist themes through her character Stella, but also nationalist themes, by stressing on Stella's relationship with her Afro-Jamaican religion.

Only option  A  does this.

B:  'Stella's relationship with Pukkumina' has no relation to Marson's marginalization in London.

C:  Marson's racial consciousness strengthens – we don't know whether Stella's does.

D:  We don't know whether Marson identified with Stella's character.

E:  Again, we don't know whether Marson used multiple works to challenge the idea of African backwardness – Pocomania is just one example. Secondly, the particular lines 27-29 do not really demonstrate the promotion of African culture or the challenging of African backwardness.

Answer: A

VerbalBot · Answer

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Black feminism, as defined by critical race and sociology scholars

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Black feminism, as defined by critical race and sociology scholars

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615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

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