This election has been down right deplorable. It's been a shit show to say the very least. However, as a person who prides myself on always looking on the bright side of things and my keen sense of objectivity, I have learned a major thing about myself during this election. I have learned that traditional feminism is not for me.
Recently, comments made a number of years ago by the Republican Party Nominee were leaked. My personal reaction wasn't that of immediate outrage. Rather, it was yet another confirmation of my initial choice of not caucusing for him. I went about my day without giving the comments much thought. Mainly because I couldn't muster the courage to listen to the comments directly. I simply listened to a few friends talk about how "disgusted" they were. I chose to shield myself from the raw words just because I feel as if I have been shell shocked. This election feels like it's been a battle and I've got the worst case of battle fatigue.
It wasn't until I found myself sitting on the couch attempting to unwind from a long day that I actually allowed myself to hear the words that had everyone on my feed in an uproar. Again, I wasn't shocked. I heard the words and thought, "Okay, sounds like what he's been saying."
It seems ironic that only after seeing and hearing the comments first hand that I began to see more posts about people's vehement anger. Only, this time I noticed the disapproval was coming from Republicans who were either party hardliners, women, or self-proclaimed feminists--white feminists.
That's when the light bulb went off for me.
The only people who were truly outraged by his comments were people who aren't a part of a group that he's already attacked--white feminists. Sure, he's said racist things against Mexicans, African-Americans and other immigrants, but those comments were fine because they didn't affect you.
That's why white feminism is not for me. White feminism only fights for equality for white women who aren't affected by the issues of a bisexual, African-American single mother. White feminism is exclusive and further perpetuates systemic oppression. Rather than fight for all women who deserve fair treatment, it looks for the easy way out of self-advocacy.
That's not what I want for myself or my daughter. I want her to be aware of the plights of others, playing close attention to those who deal with intersectionality.
Feminism- the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.
That's what I want. I want true feminism to be highlighted and the rights of all to be pushed for, not just privileged white women.
