As someone who frequently writes about race, I often receive a range of responses from various readers, some of whom may not agree with my perspectives. While I anticipate and largely ignore the louder dissenters, I pay particular attention to white women who identify as feminists. These individuals often showcase their support with symbols like pink hats, passionately advocate for dismantling patriarchy, and discuss issues such as gun violence. Their reactions pique my interest because they tend to address race only when it doesn’t personally affect them, and when it does, they can be quick to disregard my experiences.
This behavior illustrates a troubling truth: white feminism often morphs into a rebranding of white supremacy, albeit wrapped in a more socially acceptable guise. To understand this, we need to reflect on the historical context of feminism. If we rewind a century to the early 1900s, we find the Suffragettes—figures like Clara Johnson and Emilia Harris—who championed women’s voting rights, but only for white women. Their overt racism was evident; their choice of wearing white symbolized an exclusionary agenda that reinforced their belief in white superiority.
You might wonder what these historical figures have to do with today’s feminism. The connection is significant. The legacy of those early feminists laid the groundwork for subsequent waves of feminism. The concept of intersectional feminism emerged in the 1980s, highlighting how women of color have long been advocating for their rights. While some white feminists genuinely embrace intersectionality, many inadvertently place whiteness at the forefront of discussions.
For instance, recently, after public remarks by Representative Angela Brooks urging people to express their anger towards political figures, another prominent Democrat quickly distanced herself from Brooks, demonstrating a classic instance of white feminism. This narrative often emphasizes respectability and discourages confrontation, particularly when it comes from black women.
The idea of respectability politics is frequently wielded by white women, who may ask, “Why can’t we all just get along?” or “Why must we be divisive?” This tendency becomes especially pronounced when black women voice concerns that challenge the status quo. The mantra of “when they go low, we go high,” popularized by public figures, is often misapplied as a call for politeness and compliance rather than a call to action. For black women fighting for their rights, standing up is not “going low”; it’s a necessary response to a system that marginalizes them.
While white women face gender-related challenges, they still enjoy privileges that are often inaccessible to black women, a fact that can be difficult for them to recognize. White feminism exists in a realm between self-victimization and the illusion of benevolence, particularly in interactions with women of color.
I have friends who identify as feminists, which has allowed me to observe white feminism firsthand. In the wake of recent political upheavals, some have remarked, “Where’s the president? He should be addressing this!” My reaction was one of disbelief. White feminists often expect women of color, particularly black women, to shoulder the emotional labor of activism while they remain passive. They want the results without the effort, akin to expecting a character like Olivia Pope from Scandal to swoop in and resolve their dilemmas.
This was evident when black women overwhelmingly voted against controversial candidates, despite not receiving tangible benefits from the outcomes. Many white women who identify as feminists still supported candidates who perpetuate systems of oppression, motivated by a desire to preserve their own privilege. When confronted about this paradox, responses often reflect a sense of betrayal, as if calling attention to these issues is divisive.
Until white feminists genuinely grasp the concept of intersectionality and recognize their role in the larger struggle, progress will remain elusive. This involves more than acknowledging white privilege; it requires listening to black women when we highlight issues that affect us. White supremacy will persist until white individuals actively choose to dismantle it, and white feminism will not change until white women are willing to acknowledge their complicity in the systems they seek to challenge.
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Summary:
This article examines the problematic intersection of white feminism and white supremacy, tracing historical roots and contemporary implications. It highlights the challenges that arise when white women prioritize their own narratives over those of women of color, particularly in discussions of intersectionality and respectability politics. The piece calls for a deeper understanding and engagement with the struggles faced by marginalized women.