Submissiveness & women of color?

Question

Throughout many different cultural histories, women of color (Asian, Hispanic, Middle Eastern) have taken backseats in regards to feminism. Much of their previous history (& some current) has been made to serve their husbands & fathers in a machismo sort of environment. A somewhat "submissive" history, if you will. The concept of the man is the provider & ultimate authority is one of the key elements within these cultures.

In regards to black women, since many black women have had the history of slavery behind them & the stigma still remains? How often do you encounter submissiveness within a black woman? Is it a rare occasion? Do you think many black women frown upon submission?

I'm sincerely curious because I characterise myself as a "submissive" black woman. Please don't sugarcoat your answers either, I will not be offended. Thanks for the replies.

Answer 1

ALL women regardless of race, colour, creed, religion, ethnic origin, favourite brand of chocolate bar ... you name it... all have historically played second fiddle to their male counterparts.

Answer 2

I think the middle east and asia, africa were they are still popping babies like vicoden women are treated with more respect then the stupid half-naked bimbo idiots on billboards these days at least women there have dignity.

That said do you think the half-naked woman on billboards is showing submission of the way our culture treats women?

generally speaking the western and the eastern worlds are as bad as each other but differently.

Answer 3

As you said beliefs regarding submissiveness varies from culture to culture. Since we live in a modern civilization I'll just stick with that for this question. Yes I am generalizing here but I think many modern black females attribute submissiveness to being subservient to being a slave. Many of them having it doubly as tough what with racism and sexism. They have to be tough as nails just to make it through. This goes without saying that there are some, depending on religious preferences, family background, and status in life, that do consider themselves submissive people. I do believe there are many black females who are willing to submit when needed if they right the right "man" and not some boy who thinks he's a man but I think as a whole it's not necessarily frowned upon but it definitely isn't something that isn't wanted by many.

Answer 4

When I was younger, growing up, I had a black neighborhood friend that was only allowed to wear dresses, skirts, modest feminine attire. Such was the case with all the women in her family. Looking back I would say her mother was submissive (from when the parents were together). And I only realized it was a religious reason when her church choir came to our school and after they took off their robes, all the females were dressed like my friend. As a the first poster said, submission is more prominent in the religious black women. But really, submission as a whole is more pronounced amongst the religions. Christians-white and black, Catholics-white,black, Hispanic (which I know are Christians, but sometimes consider themselves apart), Muslims-middle east, black.

Answer 5

Hmm... I never thought of this before. Many of my friends are black, and actually, none of them are very submissive. However, I'd say that half of the women in my father's family (Native American, which I believe counts as people of color) are submissive, however the other half act the opposite.

I don't think it has to do with if the person is of color or not, but more of how they grew up and the environment they were raised in.

Sorry if my answer didn't help!

Answer 6

I know that when I used to dabble in the scene, there were only white submissive women, and we did use to talk about how comfortable we would be to see, say, a white man dominating a black woman.  I don't think it would have mattered had it really been the case, but we were quite sensitive to the issue :-)

Answer 7

Women of color that I know are even less likely to  be submissive than other women I know, they seem to have a lot more assertiveness in their personalities. Maybe it because they have two kinds of discrimination to fight, sexism and racism, that makes them fight back all that much harder.

And personally, I don't blame them.