Black Women Activists and Pan-Africanism in the Black Atlantic Diaspora: Forging Bridges that Connect, Cross, and Open Paths

• Published in: Brazilian political science review Vol. 17; no. 2
• Main Author: Blenda Santos de Jesus
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazilian Political Science Association 01-08-2023
• Subjects: activism; africanism; black atlantic; black women; diaspora
• ISSN: 1981-3821
• DOI: 10.1590/1981-3821202300020003

Black Atlantic is the term used to describe the transnationality and interculturality of the space-place that comprises Africa (the continent), the Americas, and Europe (the diaspora). It is in the Black Atlantic diaspora that one of the many black movements is established: Pan-Africanism. The pan-Africanist movement emerged in the early twentieth century as an alternative means to fight against oppression and exploitation and for the emancipation of all black peoples in the world. This study aims to investigate the dialogue between the activisms of black women and pan-Africanist principles in the Black Atlantic diaspora. Based especially on the life and work of activists Claudia Jones, Lélia Gonzalez, and May Ayim, I analyze if and how pan-Africanist principles help us make sense of the activism of these women. I found that these activists not only created strategies that engage with the pan-Africanist principles of liberation, integration, solidarity, and personality, but they also became important thinkers and leaders of movements guided by pan-Africanist principles.