The Origin of the phrase "Women of Color"

Terms like 'women of color' are not just descriptions, but have political and ideological histories and current meanings. Here's a clip of Loretta Ross, cofounder and national coordinator of SisterSong -Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, sharing one of the birthing moments of the term 'women of color'.

http://www.sistersong.net
http://www.westernstatescenter.org

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[westernstatescenter]

@girlintrouble2 Thanks for the comment. The phrase women of color that Loretta is explaining is specific to the US and continues to evolve. Language evolution happens because as groups who have been marginalized gain more power, they get to define themselves. Loretta makes the case that in the US 'women of color' is a term that describes a group of women who share the experience of being marginalized, oppressed, and minoritized. It builds power for communities collectively.

[spookyjeevus]

Wow. Well, that's enough to convert this white boy, I suppose. I always thought "people of color" was ironic, just an inversion of "colored people," and rolled my eyes, thinking white liberals like myself had come up with it.

But that misses a subtlety, that "women of color" expands to include more than one ethnicity, and--critically--that it isn't meant to replace any ethnic designation, but to add another layer over those, a political and practical one. My mistake. Glad I saw this.

[JaimePretell]

@WhateverLife46

Try again. More like a Doctorate. Something you will never have. Have a nice day.

[WhateverLife46]

@JaimePretell Aw, congrats on your little college course. You're still wrong, have a nice day. :)

[JaimePretell]

@WhateverLife46

Try taking an actual college course in language instead of Google and you might have a better understanding. White Privilege is but one form of Racism. Black Separatism is another. Talk about a Pot calling the China Kettles.

[WhateverLife46]

@JaimePretell LMAO, no just no. You're so wrong in so many ways. Google "Racism 101" and "white privilege". Have a nice day, ignorant.

[JaimePretell]

@WhateverLife46

LOL. Go get a dictionary. Institutional racism is not the only type of racism. Furthermore, a person with a weapon has power. So your definition doesn't hold water. Racism is prejudice based on race. Period.

[WhateverLife46]

I really love this video, I never knew where the term WoC actually came from. I definitely promote solidarity between Blacks, Latinos, Asians, Native American and Rroma people. :D

[WhateverLife46]

@TikofTok You know what's funny I never mentioned what race that I was. You're assuming that I'm black, which is showing your ignorance even further. You clearly don't have a grasp on what racism actually is since you are trying to imply that reverse racism exists, so google "racism 101". And you also don't have a grasp on your privilege so google "white privilege".

Have a nice day, asswipe! :)

[WhateverLife46]

@TikofTok You aren't open-minded. I did read the article and looked at the website and it looked around one the website. I also looked to see if the sources and the website itself is credible and it turns out it isn't. The only person that is pathetic is you, and this is only making me laugh even harder to be honest.

[TikofTok]

@WhateverLife46

You also didn't answer my question. If a black citizen assaults or destroys the property of a white citizen based upon their race? How is it not racist?

[TikofTok]

@WhateverLife46

This is you

''I dont need to look at Department of Justice figures or any site with opposing views I dont like because it hurts my world view that Im not a special black princess who is being kept down by the evil white man. If you disagree, you must be an evil white man.''

Like I said. Grow up. Argue with points instead of claiming people are buzzwords that are supposed to stop me speaking my mind.