Demita Frazier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Demita Frazier
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| Born | |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Northeastern University (JD) |
| Occupation | Independent Scholar, Writer, Social Justice Activist |
| Movement | Black Feminism |
Demita Frazier is an important Black Feminist, writer, and activist who works for fairness and equality for everyone. She helped start a very important group called the Combahee River Collective (CRC). Even though it has been over 50 years since the CRC shared their ideas, Demita Frazier is still dedicated to fighting for freedom and justice for all people.
Demita Frazier's Early Life and Activism
Demita Frazier grew up in the 1950s. When she was a teenager, between 1967 and 1969, she saw many big changes happening in the world. These included the Civil Rights Movement, which fought for equal rights for Black people, and the Black Power Movement, which focused on Black pride and self-determination. She also saw the Women's Movement, which worked for women's rights. These events helped her realize how important it was to stand up for what is right. A book called Woman Power: The Movement for Women's Liberation by Celestine Ware was very important to her thinking.
Demita Frazier started her activism in high school. She helped organize a student walkout to protest the Vietnam War. Later, she worked with groups like the Chicago Black Panther's Breakfast Program, which provided free meals to children, and the Jane Collective, which helped women with healthcare.
She later moved to Boston and met other activists like Barbara Smith and Beverly Smith. They were all part of the National Black Feminist Organization (NBFO). This group eventually led to the creation of the Combahee River Collective. Demita Frazier also earned a law degree from Northeastern University.
The Combahee River Collective and Its Impact
The Combahee River Collective (CRC) was formed in 1974. This group helped to expand the ideas of Black feminism. They chose their name to honor Harriet Tubman. In 1863, Harriet Tubman bravely led a mission at South Carolina's Combahee River that freed over 750 enslaved people.
The main goal of the CRC was to share the experiences of African-American women with society. In 1974, they released their "Combahee River Collective Statement." This statement was very important because it was one of the first times the idea of "identity politics" was used. Identity politics means that people's experiences are shaped by all parts of their identity, like their race and gender.
Demita Frazier was a founding member of the CRC, and her ideas are a big part of the group's legacy. One of the most important ideas from the CRC statement was recognizing "intersecting oppressions." This idea came before the term intersectionality was created by Kimberlé Crenshaw. Intersectionality means that different forms of unfairness, like racism and sexism, can overlap and make things harder for people. Demita Frazier explained that the CRC realized that their identities as Black women were "indivisible," meaning they couldn't separate being Black from being a woman.
For Demita Frazier, Black Feminism is about Black women's strength and their right to understand their own lives and work for their own power. The CRC's ideas continue to influence Black Feminism today. Their work is mentioned in many important books about Black Feminist Thought, like Words of Fire: An Anthology of African-American Feminist Thought and Mouths of Rain: An Anthology of Black Lesbian Thought.
The Combahee River Collective ended in 1980. Demita Frazier, along with Barbara Smith and Beverly Smith, wrote the group's final statement.
Demita Frazier's Work Today
Demita Frazier has taught and given lectures in the New England area, including at Bunker Hill Community College.
She believes it's important for different generations to listen to each other. She says that working for political change is hard, especially when different groups come together. It takes discipline to truly listen and respect others, even when there are differences.
When asked how she keeps fighting for freedom, Demita Frazier said she is unwilling to give up. She is inspired by many people who are also committed to this struggle. She feels connected to the energy of "quietly brave, unwavering people" who have fought for freedom.
Demita Frazier continues to challenge harmful ideas like white supremacy. She works to end misogynoir (prejudice against Black women), unfair power structures, and problems caused by capitalism. She has been dedicated to Black feminist social justice for over 44 years.
On March 7, 2019, Demita Frazier gave a lecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. She talked about how architectural design in cities can affect minority communities. On February 3, 2023, she spoke at Northeastern University's bell hooks Symposium. She discussed why Black feminism is important and how Black women's voices need to be heard.
Most recently, on May 22, 2024, Demita Frazier and Barbara Smith were interviewed by Black Women Radicals. This interview celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Combahee River Collective.
Demita Frazier is also a practicing Buddhist and believes in kindness. When she is not working, she enjoys gardening and cooking.
