Dr Zuleyka Zevallos

Having always been told that women should be likeable, Rebecca Traister has turned to writing about anger after Trump was elected in the USA. She uses anger to reflect on her responsibilities as a White woman who is a feminist She's also mentioned class.Hope to hear more on this

Dr Brittney Cooper got her contract for Eloquent Rage in 2015. It began as an analysis of the murder of Trayvon Martin & the censure of Black people's voices about police violence. The title comes from her student, who thanked her for teaching with passion & anger at injustice

Anger is a rational response to injustice. Ever noticed photos of women politicians? They are discredited by having their mouths open, usually pointing fingers. An open-mouthed woman (who is not being sexual) is cast as out of control, not ready to lead, too emotional. -Traister

The "Angry Black Woman" trope is used to disempower Black women. As soon as BW enter a room, her full emotions are not seen. Their sadness, heartache. As a young girl, Dr Cooper learned to disarm White people with her smile. It's part of her public performance, survival mechanism

White women channel their anger towards Black people, using the full brunt of state violence, by calling the police on Black people going about their daily lives. WW turn anger of being called out for racism into tears, to ensure Black women are seen as the problem. -Dr Cooper

What does it mean for Black women to be free? It would mean dismantling White supremacy, capitalism & patriarchy. White women aren't interested in this. They think being free is being equal to White men who aren't interested in this. That's settling for mediocrity. - Dr Cooper

White women who get this - that racial justice is a feminist issue - spend all their time and effort trying to convince Dr Cooper that they're not racist and feel helpless about this. Not helpful. Instead, White women need to start talking to other White women to end racism

TW rape: Powerful question from the audience - a 25 year old Indian woman says she feels lost in her anger hearing another Indian woman say that girls who wear short skirts are inviting rape. What can she do? She's only one person Dr Cooper: you're not alone. Join a movement 1/2

Dr Cooper: India has long & potent feminist traditions & many present-day women's organisations making change. EVERY BIT COUNTS. Keep speaking up. Show up. Be a witness to inequality. Work with others. Freedom is generational. Every generation has to take up the struggle. 2/2

Question from audience: when is violence justified? Dr Cooper: having been profoundly impacted by violence, cannot ever condone it. However, encourages White Americans to consider the only time they made a significant contribution to Black freedom was through use of violence 1/2

Dr Cooper: that's not to say White people should take up arms. Rather, think deeply about how much more injustice will it take before it gets to the brink of civil war, before they are unwilling to tolerate racist systems? Do something now before needing to resort to violence 2/2