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Barbara Smith's avatar

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."

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Desireé B Stephens's avatar

Wait is this THEE Barbara Smith!? I am SO honored and thank YOU for your tireless work, your road map to collective work and true intersectional feminism and justice. I sit at your feet as an elder and hope to only carry on what you all so bravely forged. Thank you a million times over Ms Smith!

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Barbara Smith's avatar

Hi, Desireé.

Thanks for your lovely response to my comment. People tell me that I'm "thee Barbara Smith." When someone asks if I'm the Barbara Smith, I often reply, "Well I'm one of them!" 😉 Smith is one of the most common last names in the U. S., acquired in my case as a result of chattel slavery. I'm a boomer and Barbara was an incredibly popular name during the post war years.

I love that Combahee has made such an impact. We were a small unfunded group who all had day jobs. Some of us were also in school. I like what you wrote about us continuing to do the work. I have never stopped being an organizer. Currently I am working to end the genocide in Gaza and the West Bank and for Palestinian liberation as a member of Jewish Voice for Peace. Since 2023 I have worked with both a local and a national organization to support the Ukrainian people's struggle to end the Russian invasion and to maintain their political autonomy. I work with a local group on police issues, the right to housing, and holding government accountable. Since the trusk regime took power in January, I have prioritized working with the trans community.

Your curriculum about the political meaning and impact of Combahee is so useful. Keep up the good work. The struggle continues. 💪🏿✊🏾🫶🏿 🇺🇦🇵🇸

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Sheri Muntean's avatar

If anyone wants to read this, I found a copy here! https://americanstudies.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/Keyword%20Coalition_Readings.pdf

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Desireé B Stephens's avatar

It’s in the article as well it’s a beautiful statement

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Sheri Muntean's avatar

Nice! I missed that obviously. The Yale version is a PDF, if that's helpful. 💕

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Desireé B Stephens's avatar

ooo it is!

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Sheri Muntean's avatar

This is beautiful. Thanks for this model of integration. Very cool thought points.

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