The feminist movement has so many intersections like liberal feminism, afro feminism, cultural feminism and eco feminism. They all manage to be productive and help further society as they all focus on empowering everyone and making sure every person has equal rights. However, there is one intersection that proves to miss the mark every time. White feminism. White feminism is not a real type of feminism as it lacks the overarching goal of feminism: to secure equality for everyone.
Dictionary.com states, “White feminism is the label given to feminist efforts and actions that uplift white women but that exclude or otherwise fail to address issues faced by minority groups, especially women of color and LGBTQ women.” Just as the name implies, white feminism only appeals to and fights for the issues that only white feminine people face. Many celebrities that have labeled themselves and been labeled as feminists are guilty of being followers of white feminism and lacking advocation for other groups. A perfect example of this is Taylor Swift. It is incredibly tiring for me to see so many online label Taylor Swift as the perfect feminist or a woman that is furthering the feminist movement so heavily. While Taylor Swifts struggles and the scrutiny, she faces from the public is of note, she does not apply her status and fame to help all women, she just weaponizes it when the issues directly concern her.
One of the most pressing issues right now is the genocide in Gaza. Relief.web states. “10,091 women and 15,780 children have been killed in Gaza.” The genocide occurring here is a human rights issue and should concern anyone who asserts themselves as a feminist. However, so many celebrities that identify themselves as activists have chosen to stay silent. One of which is Taylor Swift. In fact, the Twitter hashtag ‘Swifties for Gaza’ has been trending. This indicates that even Taylor Swifts fan base is incredibly disappointed by her silence and proves that yet again, white feminism fails to be useful. The very problem with white feminism is that its waters down what the feminist movement truly means. Without having an inclusive lens, proclaiming yourself as a feminist is inaccurate.
It is imperative to correct white feminism in order to foster tochange. The first step involves rewriting history to reflect true accuracy. Instead of solely accrediting Susan B. Anthony and other white suffragettes as the pioneers of the feminist movement, it is crucial to also recognize and credit the contributions of women of color such as Sojourner Truth, Ida B. Wells, and Mary Church Terrell. These women played significant roles in advocating for women’s rights and racial equality but have often been overlooked or marginalized in mainstream feminist narratives. By acknowledging their contributions, we can create a more inclusive and accurate understanding of the feminist movement’s origins and development. Knowledge is power, and with feminists having accurate knowledge of the movement’s origins, true awareness begins. Yes Magazine states, “If you want to be an ally to people of color, it’s a good idea to not debate or discredit the lived experiences that they are sharing. Believe them as experts on their own lives.” Additionally, being able to recognize and correct white feminism is imperative to enacting change. Calling out any racial biases noticed and amplifying women of colors voices in discussions is a great way to ensure that feminism and activism stays inclusive.
