The Combahee River Collective (1974–1980): The Birth of Intersectional Feminism and Collective Liberation
Black History Through the Lens of Liberation
The Combahee River Collective wasn’t just an organization—it was a political movement, a declaration of self-determination, and the birthplace of ideas that continue to shape liberation work today. Founded by a group of Black feminist lesbians in Boston, the collective recognized that the fight for freedom could not be single-issue. Their statement, published in 1977, is one of the most important documents in feminist and anti-oppression thought, laying the groundwork for what we now understand as intersectionality.
We will discuss four major topics in the paper that follows: (1) the genesis of contemporary Black feminism; (2) what we believe, i.e., the specific province of our politics; (3) the problems in organizing Black feminists, including a brief herstory of our collective; and (4) Black feminist issues and practice.
https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/combahee-river-collective-statement-1977/
At its heart, the Combahee River Collective sought to answer a critical question: What happens when your identity places you at the intersection of multiple forms of oppression, and how do you create a liberation movement that addresses all of them?
Why the Name Matters: The Historical Connection
The name “Combahee River” is a reference to Harriet Tubman’s 1863 raid on the Combahee River in South Carolina, where she freed more than 700 enslaved people. For the women of the collective, this historical reference wasn’t just symbolic—it was a call to action. Harriet Tubman’s legacy of strategic liberation inspired their approach to organizing and reinforced the necessity of collective effort.
Reflection: How does understanding the interconnectedness of oppression influence the way we approach liberation today?
A New Framework for Liberation: Intersectionality Before It Had a Name
While Kimberlé Crenshaw later coined the term “intersectionality” in 1989, the Combahee River Collective had already been practicing it for years. They recognized that Black women, particularly those who were queer or working-class, faced unique challenges that couldn’t be addressed by mainstream feminist movements, which were often dominated by white, middle-class women.
In their statement, they wrote:
“We are actively committed to struggling against racial, sexual, heterosexual, and class oppression, and see as our particular task the development of integrated analysis and practice based upon the fact that the major systems of oppression are interlocking.”
This recognition of interlocking systems of oppression is foundational to modern liberation work. They understood that you couldn’t just address gender inequality without also addressing racism, homophobia, and economic injustice. True liberation meant dismantling all systems of oppression, not just the ones that directly impacted a specific group.
Reflection: What forms of interlocking oppression are most visible in your life or community, and how can addressing them collectively create more meaningful change?
Why Identity Politics Matter
The collective introduced the idea of identity politics, which has often been misrepresented in mainstream discourse. For the Combahee River Collective, identity politics wasn’t about exclusion or division—it was about centering the experiences of those most marginalized and ensuring that their needs shaped the agenda.
Their statement explains:
“This focusing upon our own oppression is embodied in the concept of identity politics. We believe that the most profound and potentially most radical politics come directly out of our own identity, as opposed to working to end somebody else’s oppression.”
This was a radical shift from the idea that liberation work should be led by a singular, dominant group with others following behind. The collective recognized that centering the most marginalized voices ensured that no one would be left behind in the fight for justice.
Reflection: How can centering the experiences of the most marginalized create more inclusive and effective liberation movements?
Organizing Through Collective Care
The Combahee River Collective wasn’t just about theory—they were about action. They engaged in grassroots organizing, supporting local struggles for housing, healthcare, and economic justice. Their work was rooted in collective care, recognizing that the health and well-being of individuals were essential to the overall success of the movement.
They rejected the hierarchical structures of traditional organizations and instead practiced collective leadership, ensuring that all members had a voice and that decisions were made collaboratively. This model of organizing is still relevant today, particularly in movements that prioritize mutual aid and community care.
Reflection: How does collective care differ from individualistic approaches to activism, and what can we learn from this model?
The Legacy of the Combahee River Collective
The ideas and practices of the Combahee River Collective have left a lasting impact on feminist theory, anti-racist work, and LGBTQ+ activism. Their work paved the way for intersectional organizing and challenged the idea that liberation could be achieved through single-issue movements.
In modern movements their legacy is evident. The centering of Black, queer, and trans voices within the movement is a direct continuation of the work the collective started. Their emphasis on collective care, intersectionality, and identity politics remains essential in addressing the complexities of oppression today.
Actionable Step:
Read the Combahee River Collective Statement and reflect on how its core principles apply to current social movements. Identify ways you can integrate intersectional approaches in your personal or community activism.
Core Principles of the Combahee River Collective
Intersectionality and Interlocking Systems of Oppression:
They recognized that systems of oppression (race, class, gender, sexuality, etc.) are interdependent and interlocking, making it impossible to address one without addressing the others.
They pioneered an intersectional approach before the term was officially coined, understanding that Black women experience oppression uniquely due to the simultaneous impacts of racism, sexism, classism, and heterosexism.
Identity Politics:
Their political stance is rooted in the belief that liberation should be driven by the experiences and needs of those most marginalized.
They argued that radical politics emerge from a deep understanding of one’s identity and lived experiences, particularly for Black women, whose voices had historically been excluded from mainstream feminist and civil rights movements.
Anti-Racist, Anti-Sexist, and Anti-Capitalist Liberation:
The collective believed in the need for a comprehensive approach to dismantling all forms of oppression.
They were committed to socialism, recognizing the role of capitalism in perpetuating racial, gender, and class inequalities, but they also emphasized that any socialist revolution must be feminist and anti-racist to truly succeed.
Collective Care and Non-Hierarchical Organizing:
Their organizational model rejected hierarchical leadership in favor of collective decision-making, mutual support, and shared power.
They emphasized the importance of collaboration and collective well-being, both within their group and in the broader vision for a revolutionary society.
Expanding “The Personal is Political”:
They extended the feminist principle of “the personal is political” to reflect the unique experiences of Black women, incorporating race and class into conversations about gender oppression.
Their discussions of how everyday experiences, such as being labeled “smart-ugly,” reflect larger systems of social control, demonstrate the deeply embedded nature of oppression.
Solidarity Without Separatism:
Unlike white feminist movements advocating separatism, the collective emphasized solidarity with progressive Black men while holding them accountable for sexist behaviors.
They rejected biological determinism and separatist ideologies, believing that feminism must involve inclusive strategies that consider the collective liberation of entire communities.
Historical Continuity and Ancestral Struggle:
The collective positioned their work as part of a broader, historical movement for Black women’s liberation, connecting their contemporary activism to the legacies of leaders like Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and Ida B. Wells.
They emphasized that Black women’s resistance has always been integral to broader liberation movements.
Critique of Racism Within Feminist Movements:
The collective consistently held white feminist movements accountable for their failure to address racism and called for white women to actively work against their complicity in perpetuating racial hierarchies.
They recognized that white women’s superficial engagement with race limited the effectiveness of feminist coalitions.
Commitment to Lifelong Struggle:
The collective understood that their work would be ongoing and that revolutionary change would require dedication and long-term commitment.
They viewed their activism as a lifetime commitment to transforming society through collective action, self-criticism, and continuous learning.
A Vision of Holistic Liberation:
They argued that true liberation would require dismantling systems of capitalism, imperialism, patriarchy, and racism simultaneously.
Their work was not limited to academic theory—they emphasized community organizing, direct action, and coalition-building as essential components of liberation.
Why This Lesson Matters Now
As we navigate ongoing struggles for racial, gender, and economic justice, the Combahee River Collective reminds us that liberation is collective and complex. They teach us that no one is free until we are all free and that centering the experiences of the most marginalized isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s a strategic one.
The work of the collective continues to inspire modern liberation movements, proving that when we organize with intention and intersectionality, we create spaces where everyone can thrive.
A 28-Day Journey Through Black Resistance and Liberation
The story of the Combahee River Collective is just one of many lessons in my 28-Day Journey Through Black Resistance and Liberation. This living document offers a deep dive into the history, resilience, and strategic efforts of Black liberationists throughout history.
Join the journey today: Link to purchase
Let’s continue building a movement where all of us can be free.
In solidarity and liberation,
Desireé B. Stephens CPS-P
Educator | Counselor | Community Builder
Founder, Make Shi(f)t Happen
Thank you very much for your insightful analysis of the "Combahee River Collective Statement." --Barbara Smith, co-author with Demita Frazier and Beverly Smith of the "Combahee River Collective Statement."
If anyone wants to read this, I found a copy here! https://americanstudies.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/Keyword%20Coalition_Readings.pdf