LIVING ON THE MARGIN: DEFYING AFRICAN STEPDAUGHTERS’ INVISIBILITY TO EMBRACE BLACK FEMINISM

Back to Page Authors: Jane Namuyimbwa Sewali-Kirumira

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Keywords: black feminism, African wisdom, racism, feminism

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Abstract: This article explores the lived experiences of a black feminist battling the traditional Kigandan concept of subservient womanhood; battling racial discrimination in Germany and Canada; and embracing her identity as a Black African Feminist. Using an autobiographical narrative inquiry lens, this article seeks to tell and re-tell the stories that I live by. The first section recounts the early childhood experience of a second-class child in a house without the biological mother to protect her from any form of mistreatment. The next section narrates the ordeal of surviving in a traditional boys’ school transitioning into a mixed school and being viewed as a second-class citizen and as the one who initially did not belong. The last section highlights the transition to Germany and the systemic racial discrimination suffered by a young Black female student and mother of two who is viewed as a second-class citizen. The use of personal photographs in the narratives and reflections will serve to make the experience more present while the use of Luganda proverbs will call forth the uniqueness of an African experience. This article attempts to uncover how a young Black African female international student and a mother of two combats multiple layers of systemic racism in Germany to complete her education, raise independent Black daughters, and support her family in Uganda. The article concludes by elaborating the different strategies to overcome systemic racism challenges in the life of a marginalized woman of color in Canada.

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