When Nicki Minaj started venting her frustrations toward not receiving a nomination for a video that broke records, Taylor Swift spoke out of turn and commented on how she couldn't believe that after all the love and support Minaj had given her that she would say those things about her. Now, Minaj never mentioned Swift, other than a brief mention of tall blonde women, which the pop industry has no shortage of. Swift jumped the gun and assumed, making an ass of herself. But the two artists worked it out, and it felt like a surreal dream. Until yesterday.
Miley Cyrus is hosting the VMA's later this year, and spoke out on the feud. She said that Minaj was in the wrong from the beginning, and shouldn't have made it about race. She then went on to say that her views might be discounted because she's white, but she "knows the statistics".
This didn't shock me the first time I read it. Then, my ever-thinking brain raised its red flag. Cyrus says that she knows the statistics, yet has she ever spoken out in favor of change? I decided to do some research, and came back with a resounding "No". Not only has she not spoken up for people of color, but she's also appropriated their culture and used a #alllivesmatter on an Instagram photo concerning a #BlackLivesMatter march. Now, you may be thinking, "It's Miley Cyrus, she's offensive, whatever". But it goes so much deeper than that, and both Cyrus and Swift are perfect examples of "white feminism".
Both women are viewed as feminist icons, but there are discrepancies in their beliefs, just like white feminism. White feminism appropriates cultures like no other belief, and believes that they can "save" women from other countries from the cultures they were born into. Now, some cultures do need that assistance, but the radical group FEMEN parading around with their shirts off at places of worship is the perfect example of taking it too far. White feminism also will praise Cyrus for having the freedom to wear skimpy clothes and hump a foam finger, but condemns people like Minaj when they act the same. It really makes no sense when you look at all the evidence.
White feminism is in the same category as "#alllivesmatter". Yes, all lives do matter, but not all lives are being taken at equal rates. The shooting in Virginia of two reporters became the favorite subject for people against the #BlackLives movement to point to, accusing black people of not caring when white people are killed. Yes, they do. But seeing the dozens upon dozens of people of color being killed in a certain amount of time versus the amount of white people being killed is a very drastic divide. White feminism is really no different. They buy into the two-word summary of feminism, and neglect to include other groups in their ideology. The groups that are largely ignored by the basic-level feminists are often fighting for the same cause. They are the outcasts of society, and therefore are not given as much as a voice. I know it sounds ridiculous. I'm basically saying feminists need to listen, but it's true.
We seem to forget the revamping of feminism in the 60s and 70s was started largely by African American women. We seem to forget that transgendered women are women, even though they are held at a distance from white feminism. We seem to forget that even as we're fighting for equality, we can't step on other groups to boost ourselves up and call it equality.
So what's next? How do you transition from being a basic white feminist to someone who Well, it's simple, really.
- Include everyone in your feminism
Women of Color, Trans Women, Bisexual Women, Lesbian Women, Men of Color – there should be many different people you think about rather than just yourself. Women of color and transgender women helped feminism become what it is today, so why would you want to exclude them? This, to me, is the biggest flaw with white feminism. If it doesn't include groups that are fighting for the same rights, then it's shouldn't be labelled as feminist. - Check Your Privilege
It's really hard for me, a middle class girl from Dallas, to relate to someone from Detroit who grew up in poverty. Here's a hint: don't try to relate. Don't try to compare your life experiences to theirs. Be empathetic, like any good human. Listen and learn from them. Not everyone has had the opportunities you have had in life. When it's your turn, teach them without any hint of being condescending. The world runs on mutual respect, so learn some. - Make Your Voice Heard (And Hear Others)
If I had a nickel for every time I've heard girls tell me they wished they'd have said something to a sexist, homophobic, even inappropriate comment, I could pay for school without loans. Make sure that if something rubs you the wrong way, speak up. And if someone is telling you that you did something wrong, listen to them and try to fix the situation, probably by not doing it again or apologizing. - Be a Decent Human Being
It's not hard to be a decent person. In order to be a decent human being, respecting someone regardless of their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, etc. is definitely a requirement. And it's not hard! All you have to do is continue to live your life in a way that would make your future (or current) children proud.
