ABSTRACT
In the debate about the lack of diversity in philosophy, there is either a focus on the dominant masculine character or on the dominant Western character. Non-Western philosophies and feminist philosophies are often repeating systems of marginalization: the canon of African philosophy is mostly male and the canon of feminist philosophy is mostly white and Western. This chapter explores whether alliances could help address the marginalization of women in African philosophy more adequately. It shows that Western colonization contributed to the marginalization of women in Africa and the effects of this are still being felt today in the global academic discourse and beyond. The chapter examines the expressed need of African philosophy and black women for autonomous spaces in which to hold dialogues. It also illustrates the difficulties which can be encountered in intercultural dialogues, and explores how an understanding of their difficulties can provide insights that might be beneficial to dialogues in which African women philosophers participate.
