"Just Between Us: Women in Struggle in Africa and the African Diaspora"

The idea of building dialogue and resistance against inequality among women of Africa and the African diaspora (the U.S., Caribbean,Europe, South America) is the core of this workshop. Too often Black women are rendered invisible in discussions of neoliberalism and the transnational current period. Through privatization and the denationalization of industries and the increasing use of Black women in transnational industries such as apparel, the impact of global restructuring is felt keenly by women in Africa and the African Diaspora. In advanced western capitalist societies such as the US and Europe, the dismantling of the social wage — the destruction of social welfare state support which reaches the poorest women and children, a disproportionate percentage of whom are Black has intensified. At the same time, on the continent of Africa in a country such as Uganda, young African women are working long hours, for little pay, to make clothes for the global market. They, as women, also continue to carry out the domestic tasks, and the socially reproductive work of their communities. Gender connects with race and class in this scenario. Thus African diaspora women are pressed into work under policies dictated by transnational capital, the IMF and neoliberal U.S. policies such as AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act) (Lacey, 2003). The apparel industry in Uganda is an outgrowth of the neoliberal Africa Growth and Opportunity Act passed by the U.S Congress in 2000.

Moreover Racism has intensified and is deeply shaped through sexism and class for Black women in the global North and South. These are the core framing issues for the workshop. Its primary cross cutting theme is consciousness.

Several groups will participate and help to facilitate this workshop. Activists from Akili Dada, located in Kenya, Southern Anti Racism Network from the U.S., The New York City AIDS housing Network and Grassroot Global Justice based in the U.S. are the core groups in collaboration.

The workshop is highly participatory with those attending telling their stories, identifying thsoe "AHA" moments when they first became involved in the struggle for Black (and/or) other women's rights and justice. Small group work will center on discussing some of the key issues facing women of Africa and the African diaspora (the Global North and South). Handouts on Globalization, neoliberalism, racism, sexism and the representation of Black Women globally will be provided.

Language/Equipment: English will be the primary language.
Strategies: Participants will leave with a fuller understanding of how the current global order is impacting women of Africa and the African diaspora--that is Black women globally. The workshop will also involve participants in developing vision, making connections, and staying in struggle together after the USSF