Intersectional Feminism

Last week's Women's March inspired countless feminist articles, signs, speeches, and other content. Like many other feminists (and Americans) I found it comforting to see so many people speaking out publicly and loudly for equality and justice. As I go back and constantly my favorite videos from the marches, I keep coming back to the short talk Feminista Jones gave at the Philadelphia Women's March about the oppressive nature of white feminism and the lack of credit given to black feminists and other feminists of color who do so much work in the movement.

You can watch it here.

Her honesty and willingness to be blunt really affected me because her message is so important. Basically, she made the point that black women overwhelming voted for Hillary Clinton as opposed to Donald Trump, while many white women actually supported Trump. Too many white women were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt despite his hateful campaign promises and rhetoric because they took their security and privilege for granted. She says now that the nation is mobilizing and resisting for women's rights and other equality issues against the new Administration, maybe black feminists will be heard more equally. Intersectional feminism and prioritizing voices other than white voices will be essential as we move forward trying to achieve political advancement of feminist goals.

One of her most powerful lines was: "We sent you to the moon and we have been the model for freedom and liberation and have had our labor and our grace thrown in our face, but you will listen now." She's obviously referencing the movie Hidden Figures here, but her use of the word 'grace' also makes me think of Michelle Obama. No matter how poised Mrs. Obama always was, critics were always harsher on her (her muscular arms, her "anger", her nutrition program for children) than they were of previous first ladies. To me, Jones is saying that lack of appreciation for black feminists and a lack of unification of women of all backgrounds to fight for the same goals was just one cause of the situation America finds itself in today. Therefore, the way forward is to create a more inclusive and therefore more powerful feminist movement.

She ends her speech with quotes from brilliant black women throughout history. Especially applicable are Coretta Scott King's words "Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become its soul." That was what the women's march was - women and the men who support feminism standing up to become a soul for a country that is desperately in need of one right now. Since the march, there have been huge nationwide protests at airports and other locations in support of immigrant and Muslim rights that promote the same message. Intersectional feminism is more powerful than a feminism that is narrowly focused on only one group of people, and more just. And intersectional feminism relates to the fight for refugees and immigrants too.

There will be more rallies and marches undoubtedly in the near future and Jones' speech reminded me of how careful feminists must be to constantly improve our own movement and correct mistakes from the past as we move forward.