“Letting Go”: exploring the nuance of (Black feminist) epistemologies

Abstract

As scholars, teachers, and researchers within academe we have, at times, felt the gravity, nuance, and depth of Black feminist theories and epistemologies have resulted in articulations and manifestations so flat they are rendered illegible and almost always universally synonymous. While there are certainly deep and rich connections among and between Black feminist theories, and while their proliferation has been often mutually facilitative, they are worthy of distinction. Our paper explores how the genealogy of Black women’s theorizing has survived through its varying conceptualizations through explicating Womanism; Black Feminist Thought; and Endarkened Feminisms. We illustrate the genealogy of Black women’s theorizing and suggest moving away from the singular meanings that, ultimately, reduce their public force and utility in higher education research and practice.