I am tired of the divisive political antics.
Especially the divisiveness within the feminist movement.
Recently, I learned there is "white feminism" and "black feminism." It seems to me that feminism has become a mess. We're divided. I feel as if divisive politics seeped into feminism. I'm not okay with feminism being tainted in such away.
We shouldn't ignore the needs of colored or lesbian women. Women of color have a range of different experiences that white women don't. In all fairness, every woman brings something different to the table. Feminism is for EVERYONE. I have not experienced the same things as lesbian or women of color have. I don't know. I want to hear what other people from other backgrounds, ethnicities, sexualities, and places have to say. I know women of color are paid even less than 78 cents to the dollar. I know that Anglo-Saxon, white, Caucasian features have defined beauty norms. And I know that those aren't the only two things to know. I'll admit I don't understand the different obstacles lesbians/bisexual women face. Tell me about them. I genuinely do care.
In order to appropriately address the fact diversity makes everything better, I also have to mention the fact that no one wants to talk to people who talk at them. People want to know, but people don't want to listen if you're going to be condescending. People ("white") feminists probably won't agree with y'all on EVERYTHING. White feminists need to be receptive of other idea's as well. Their opinion isn't less valid just because they are white. They're seeing things from a point of view you may not. This is how we grow. We're not going to agree ALL the time. But we all need to be open to new ideas WITHOUT contempt. You immediately build walls when you take on a condescending tone. We can't mock people for their ideas. That's not okay. Ever. If anyone says anything at all anymore, it's automatically met with disdain.
We need to empower each other. Feminism is putting a stop to sexual assault. It's addressing dowry deaths across the globe. It's equal pay for equal work. It's the confidence every woman should have. It's loving your body whether it's a size 00 or a size 32. It's loving your hair- even if it's frizzy and never behaves (like mine). It's people coming together to address the problems women from all walks of life face.
Feminism isn't black vs white, or male vs female. We have too much to lose to forget why we're here in the first place. Texas just defunded Planned Parenthood, and y'all are busy dividing black feminism from white feminism.
I'm a feminist. Period. I'm not a black feminist or a white feminist. It's plain and simple. I'm not in the business of dividing black and white. There are far too many barriers we ALL face to distract ourselves with petty bickering. This division is nothing but a distraction from what matters. Feminism needs diversity, not divisiveness.
If anyone is going to solve the most sensitive of problems, it's women. We have the unique ability to make ourselves vulnerable. We accept emotions. We are empathetic. We are nurturing. We are brave. We are whatever we want to be.