To my understanding, Marita O. Bonner's essay, "On Being Young-A Woman-And Colored", examines what it is to be a ‘race woman’ in the1920’s. Her main obective is for the women and the obstacles a that they must overcome because they are women during this time period. Bonner also advices these women on how to fight against the oppression of being a 'race woman'. Marita Bonner writes about the weight of oppression on the black female. She argues against racism and sexism and counsels her fellow black women to remain silent in order to gain 'knowledge, understanding, and truth' to fight against the double oppressions of race and gender. Based on Bonner's own knowledge, she believes that a woman of the 1920’s, especially a black woman ,has no voice and therefore must use the tools of 'knowledge, writing, and teaching' to conquer this inequality. She also brings religion into her essay and states that they will know what to do and where to go only when God is ready and tells them.
"So, you too. Still; quiet; with a smile, ever so slight, at the eyes so that Life will flow into and not by you. And you can gather, as it passes, the essences, the overtones, the tints, the shadows; draw understanding to your self.
And then you can, when Time is ripe, swoop to your feet-at your full height-at a single gesture.
Ready to go where?
Why…Wherever God motions."
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