We are fortunately living in a world (or a Bucknell bubble) in which most empathetic and intelligent humans realize the importance of identifying as a feminist. And by feminism, we mean the movement to achieve the political, social, and economic equality of all people. Yet, who are we referring to when we say “all people?” Unfortunately, when we don’t specify, we automatically assume the perceived norm – aka the white, cisgender, heterosexual and middle class norm. So how are we working towards the equality of all when we are only focusing on the few?
In really advocating for the equality of all people, we must recognize the oppression of all people. The ways in which we are oppressed by society depend on our identities. Intersectionality, which is the recognition of how one’s race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, religion, etc. intermingle to define systems of oppression, recognizes the complicated relationship between identity and oppression. Think about it: your identity is not simply defined by your race, or your gender, or your sexuality, but rather who you are is a combination of all of these elements. Just as your identity cannot be isolated to one specific feature, one form of oppression cannot be isolated from another. Thus, to call yourself an Intersectional Feminist is to say that you recognize the complexity of the issue – that there are different and overlapping forms of oppression that all must be acknowledged in order to achieve equality.
So how do we put Intersectional Feminism in motion? Here are five steps to becoming an Intersectional Feminist:
1. Recognize: Take a step back and look at the ways in which you are privileged in this society. The system in which we live systematically (that is, through the systems of law, education, social norms, etc.) rewards those who are white, have high socioeconomic backgrounds, are heterosexual, cisgender, etc, and consequently ignores the issues that face those who do not fall into one or more of these categories. By simply recognizing the ways in which you are privileged, and how that privilege is not given to everyone, you are making the first steps in understanding that we live in a system that does not give the same rights and opportunities to everyone.
2. Listen: Privilege is often invisible to those who have it because we tend to interact with individuals of our same backgrounds. We gravitate towards those who are similar to us because it is comfortable, but the danger is that if everyone you talk to has the same privilege as you, that privilege disguises itself as the norm rather than something that is not given to everyone.
Therefore it is essential to break out of your social comfort zone and listen to the experiences of those whose backgrounds differ from our own. More importantly, recognize that simply because the experiences of others differ from your own does not mean that they don’t exist. There is a lot of diversity on Bucknell’s campus that goes unnoticed. Open your eyes and ears to the experiences of your fellow students and recognize that not everyone is as similar as you might think.
3. Learn: Not only must you listen to these stories, but you must try to learn from them. Educate yourself on the inequalities that exist in this world. Read the stories of individuals who differ from your own privilege and learn about the disadvantages of those with a lack of privilege. Ask which pronouns an individual prefers and use those pronouns when addressing them. Use a critical eye when reading or listening to news stories – why might a particular individual or group be affected by certain issues while others are not? Don’t be afraid to feel uncomfortable. Stepping out of the familiarity of your own privilege to recognize the experiences of others is an uncomfortable act, yet your own uneasiness is essential in working towards a society in which everyone is comfortable in their own identities.
4. Respect: This one is simple: respect the experiences of other individuals. Respect the difference that exists on Bucknell’s campus. Respect the differences that are ignored by our society. By respecting difference we are legitimizing its existence. Refuse to be a part of a system that ignores those who differ from the privileged “norm.”
5. Act: Speak out not only against sexism, but also racism, classism, homophobia, transphobia, etc. Everyday we all are guilty of perpetuating the norm by not calling out instances of hate (even if they aren’t blatant) or not helping those who have fallen victim to such hate. In order to break out of the norm and advocate for the equality of all, we must be proactive, we must get uncomfortable, and we must speak up.