What is “identity politics” and where does this term come from? In this episode, Crystal and Krystal go deeper into the work of the Combahee River Collective and examine its impactful 1977 statement outlining the key elements of Black feminist thought. We hear more from Black Feminism foremother Barbara Smith on how the statement was written and guests Drs. Brittney Cooper, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, and Duchess Harris on the meaning of identity politics as the Combahee River Collective articulated it. Find more information at s.si.edu/collected.

What is a collective and how is that type of group important to Black feminist organizing? In this episode, Crystal and Krystal discuss the meaning of the term “collective” and hear from Black feminist luminary Barbara Smith about the history she and others made with formation of the landmark Combahee River Collective. Guests Dr. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Feminista Jones, Dr. Brittney Cooper, Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs, and Dr. Courtney Marshall help us understand the power of collectivity and the legacy of Combahee.

Find more information at s.si.edu/collected. 

What is Black Feminism? Co-hosts Dr. Crystal Moten and Dr. Krystal Klingenberg kick off this season of the podcast with a discussion of the multiple definitions of Black Feminism joined by guests Dr. Brittney Cooper, Paris Hatcher, Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs, and Feminista Jones. Outlining the historical context that created this response to the conditions Black women face in society at-large, Crystal and Krystal preview the season’s main topics: self-care, intersectionality, the collective, and identity politics, and address why these concepts need to be reconnected with the writers and contexts of their creation. Find more information at s.si.edu/collected.

Collected is a project of the African American History Curatorial Collective at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. This podcast offers compelling and accessible journeys through topics in African American history that are particularly relevant today. Season one looks at contemporary Black Feminism.