Cultural Diversity Matrix of Domination in “Black Feminist Thought” Book Review

Patricia Hill Collins introduced the idea of matrix domination in 1990 with the major goal- to help people identify the weakness of social construction. Utilizing the various academic resources, it is possible to explore the meaning of what Patricia Hill Collins calls the matrix of domination. In her book Black Feminist Thought, Patricia Hill Collins is focused on analysing the issues related to gender differences, because she is an activist of the black women’s feminism movement. Collins associates the term gender with the generation of feminist ideas that are aimed at promoting gender equality. She argues that every individual has his/her own world views based on the place in the matrix of domination. According to Collins, black women in the United States have to encounter social practices that reflect American history within a system of matrix of domination that is characterized by continuous oppression (Collins, 2000). African Americans are presented as poor people because of the continuous discrimination they experience in daily life. This situation is described by Collins as social injustice. According to Collins, currently, the American matrix of domination consists of several interlocking systems of oppression, such as race, gender, class, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability status and  immigration status.

Actually, identity politics, which incorporates civil rights, feminism, and the LGBT movement issues, could be assessed as a response to domination because of the forms of power evident in control, exclusion, and discrimination practices. The study of inequality should be based on two concepts, namely a matrix of domination and intersectionality. Intresectionality reflects the position of individuals who have to experience two or more systems of inequality, such as gender and social class or gender and race. The existence of different intersectionalities affect the form of power in society and other issues related to domination.

In fact, in the video regarding the matrix of domination helps to better understand how several social factors, including gender, social class, race and ethnicity, are intersected to produce a considerable impact on the social standing of individuals (Anderson, 2013). The specific matrices are historically and socially dependent; therefore, there are different practices associated with the major domains of power, which incorporate social structures, bureaucratic structures, cultural and personal relationships. Intresectionality or a matrix of domination requires rethinking current approaches to combating social inequality and injustice. According to Collins (2000), the meaning of ideas of the oppressed groups should not be changed to elevate the ideas of the dominant groups. Collins wrote her book Black Feminist Thought not only to empower black women in the United States and across the world, but also to help white people in changing their established views on social inequality. In order to foster black women’s empowerment, it is important to promote the stimulation of personal freedom and  generate new consciousness and ideas regarding social justice and oppression. 

Thus, it is necessary to conclude that the matrix of domination is considered to be a vital topic for public understanding of the relations of power, oppression and social domination. The matrix of domination places emphasis on the different position of individuals in society. The privileged individuals differ from the oppressed individuals in terms of their opportunities in life. There is a need for investigating the different positions of individuals in the social hierarchy established in the United States and other countries. It is crucial to understand the differences between diverse identities of individuals in order to promote diversity without negative consequences. A wide range of problems linked to identity politics can be resolved through joint actions. The interlocking nature of the system of oppression should be assessed by all people to make changes in personal and collective approaches to dealing with oppression and social injustice.

References

Collins, P. H. (2000). Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness and the Politics of Empowerment. Psychology Press.

Anderson, A. (2013, April 16). Sociology’s Matrix of Domination in the U.S. YouTube video. Retrieved from:<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzixp-cdoeE>

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
Available at:

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]
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