Even though it was sometimes acknowledged that theBlack community was not immune from domestic violence andother manifestations of gender subordination, some neverthelessfelt that in the absence of positive Black male images in the media,portraying such images merely reinforced racial stereotypes.3 Thestruggle against racism seemed to compel the subordination of cer-tain aspects of the Black female experience in order to ensure thesecurity of the larger Black community.

DEMARGINALIZING THE INTERSECTIONis also due to the influence of a way of thinking about discrimina-tion which structures politics so that struggles are categorized assingular issues. Moreover, this structure imports a descriptive andnormative view of society that reinforces the status quo.It is somewhat ironic that those concerned with alleviating theills of racism and sexism should adopt such a top-down approachto discrimination. If their efforts instead began with addressing theneeds and problems of those who are most disadvantaged and withrestructuring and remaking the world where necessary, then otherswho are singularly disadvantaged would also benefit.