Collins (1990) defines "Black feminist thought" as a set of ideas produced by Black women to clarify Black women's standpoint. Black women's standpoint is important because it facilitates Black women defining their own subjectivity. White men have historically defined their own subjectivity, and defined Black women as the Other. A language of Black feminist thought and Black women's standpoint can help Black women regain the power in this relationship.
1. Thought and historical/material conditions are inseparable.
Black women produce Black feminist thought as a result of historical and material conditions of oppression. Black feminist thought has been recorded by others, but it is always produced by Black women.
2. Black women have a unique standpoint. This standpoint means that Black women share some commonalities of perception.
3. Commonalities in Black women's perception are complicated by other intersections of oppression.
Collins (1990) notes that Black women may express and experience their standpoints differently. This is because of diversity in terms of class, age, religion, sexual orientation, and other intersectional identity factors.
4. Black women's standpoints may not be clear or communicable for all Black women.
Collins (1990) argues that Black feminist thought requires Black female intellectuals to produce information that can help Black women understand and interpret their experiences.
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