The title of this article alone, the term “white feminism,” is going to make people upset with me, but I think that’s great; it’s great because it presents an opportunity for the second part of the title, which is “education.” In light of the recent inauguration of political and social monstrosity Donald Trump and the subsequent Women’s March on Washington (and other cities around the world), it’s become evident that there are more than two sides in this unprecedented disaster and that each side is not cut smoothly along traditional party lines. Rather, on the Democratic side of things, marginalized people–people of color, Muslims, immigrants, the LGBTQ community–are speaking out about being shut out once again from the promises of the liberal left.
One of the biggest and most frequent perpetrators is white feminism.
If you’re mad at me already, that’s ok, but please keep reading. I was a white feminist once.
White feminism subscribes to the belief in social, political, and economic equality for women, which is a wonderful place to start, but is immensely problematic in that it does not acknowledge or seek solutions for the struggles that affect marginalized women and their communities. Thus, women of color, Muslim women, immigrant women, LGBTQ women, disabled women, and all other women living without the privilege of being white–a privilege that generally (though not always!) comes with the added benefit of financial stability–are left out of the picture. When we abandon the people we promise to support, we only serve to harm them. Ignorance, in this case, is betrayal.
And to all of you who are still angry because feminism is a good thing and of course you aren’t racist, believe me, I’ve been there. I’m glad you’re a feminist, and I’m glad you’re not racist, but now it’s time to do something about it and turn your words into action. If you are a white, middle class women, you physically and mentally cannot experience the lives and struggles of other women, but you can educate yourself; in fact, it is your responsibility. Attend a town hall discussion or open forum, talk with your friends about what they are experiencing, read books and articles. Stop, for the love of God, saying that things are going to be okay because for many women things are not going to be okay, and, in fact, they have not been okay for years (see: slavery, Jim Crow, police brutality). Most importantly, be open to learning why white feminism is harmful; this kind of rhetoric is not intended to guilt trip you, it is trying to make you a more engaged and aware feminist.
Intersectional feminism is the belief in social, political, and economic equality for ALL women regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, background, sexuality, financial standing, etc., and it is just as beneficial for white, middle class women as it is underprivileged women of color. Moreover, intersectional feminism is for men, too, and for people of nonbinary gender.
Intersectional feminism is effective and inclusive. White feminism is myopic.
So, if you’re still mad at me, leave me a comment; I am always open to learning and accepting new things. But if you agree, you see the necessity and are ready to take the same journey that I, along with many other former white feminists, took, outstanding. Hop on board, and check out some of these articles for further reading:
http://www.aaihs.org/an-open-letter-to-white-liberal-feminists/
https://www.bustle.com/articles/120684-7-things-feminists-of-color-want-white-feminists-to-know
https://mic.com/articles/125084/the-brutal-truth-every-white-feminist-needs-to-hear#.5sMf9JF4U
Because, of course, there is so much more than I have to offer, and I will not speak for an experience I have not had.
All images are from Giphy.