Afro-Indigenous Feminisms

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

This undergraduate discussion seminar introduces students to Afro-Indigenous Feminisms, an interdisciplinary field that connects Black and Indigenous feminist theories to uplift the personal and political experiences of Black, Indigenous, and Afro-Indigenous women, femmes, and two-spirit relatives. In this course, we will engage scholarly texts, art, film, music, and poetry. Our objective is to examine how Black, Indigenous, and Afro-Indigenous feminist analyze the intersections of settler colonialism, anti-Blackness, heteropatriarchy, and white supremacy. Further, we will consider how Black and Indigenous communities build solidarity, while also reflecting on the tensions between movements for Black liberation and Indigenous sovereignty. Guiding questions for this course includes: What are Black Feminism and Indigenous Feminisms? Where do these traditions converge and diverge, and how do they help us better understand Afro-Indigenous women’s experiences and identities? Ultimately, studying Afro-Indigenous Feminisms will equip students with critical tools to analyze power, race, identity, and history, while deepening their understanding of Afro-Indigeneity, gender, and the interconnected struggles of Black and Indigenous peoples.