Smith and Christian & Theory

Today we will discuss two wonderful and foundational black feminist texts by Barbara Smith and by Barbara Christian. Both of these women have put a tremendous amount of labor into creating theory from black lived experiences. In these two texts we see them struggle with big questions like: "whose writing is seen as authority?" and "where do you go if you're not reflected in text?". Smith wants to see theory built from black female experiences. Christian wants to see theory built from creative writing and from the hands of non-white authors.

Questions to Consider:
What happens when there is nonrecognition that a person’s identity exists? Where do we go to honor our knowledges if they’re not reflected anywhere? Why aren’t creative writers seen as critical theorists? Whose kind of writing is considered authority?

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