Intersectional Feminism

Can I just ask, what things do white feminists do to exclude black feminists?

Intersectional feminism is just a bigger and more inclusive version of womanism. The moving away from white middle class feminist movement is not a new thing. Before it was down to racism and exclusion of women of colour.

Op, "white feminism" focuses on those that only care about what happens to only white women or women in general without underlying issues that might affect another groups of women. From your post you have stated what other issues you might get involved in and by doing that you are not the "white feminist" being discussed.
When people discus intersectionality in regards to racism, they are not referring to racism as a whole. It's referring to racism that a black woman faces because she is black woman and a white woman may never face. It's still feminism. If a black woman is being paid less than a white woman. That is a case of racism and sexism combined. But only racism because that of the sex of that woman.

By the way if that is the feminism you see as the future then good for you all. I will keep fighting racism and sexism because I know both affects me as woman. And it does explain why when a sexism regarding black women occurs a lot more people are quieter. It is also, seen as racism and not sexism.

IntersectIonal does not mean you have to jump on every band Wagon there is.

I was really tired on the other thread. I hope I didn't make a jumble of an argument.

It was a lovely day. Brilliant speakers, and I was so excited to be talking to so many other feminists. I keep meaning to get a print of my photo with MB. I don't think she's going to shut up any time soon. One day it will be like having a picture of myself with Germaine Greer.

Thank you for that link Prawn I just spent the afternoon on YouTube as a result.

Thank you, prawn have now found a few events. Thanks. Am feeling sickly today so will listen to some of those speakers.

mercy Yes, actually now I've just re-read that thread i can see that I have put a few threads together in my head. There is another one where someone weighs in and made the point that because of intersectionality, yet again, women are being "tasked with sorting out the problems of others" something like that and that made a lot of sense to me.

And yes, that is a recipe for getting nothing done - how can we be tasked with fighting everyone's battle?

I don't mind the check your privilege - I've never had it used against me in any derogatory way except when I was genuinely being blinded /biased by my own privilege. But maybe that's because I don't have much exposure to anyone who would say that to me!

I'll try that link again.

It was in London in July, run by Eventbrite. The speaker sessions are all up on YouTube.

Feminists Thinking Differently. Here's [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zHbn46HSvQI a link] to one of the speeches, the rest are all there.

It was amazing I had a wonderful day. I don't meet new people enough. I was awe struck by the tall elegant warrior like lesbians doing security and touched by the grey haired couples strolling up hand in hand, and by all the different women I spoke to. I stayed at the pub afterwards and had a chat with Magdalen Bern who was very funny and friendly with everyone. I got a photo with her after telling her I was a massive fan. She nearly pissed herself laughing.

I hate the whole "check your privilege" stuff.

It's not my fault I was born a white woman. It's not my fault that I am MC. I won't apologise for it. I am happy for someone to point out if I am advocating for something that would have a detrimental impact on a minority group, but I won't apologise for who I am

Prawnofthepatriarchy can I ask what conference or who hosted the conference? I have tried to find talks/ conferences but seem to not be able to tap in - any suggestions would be appreciated if you don't mind me asking.

In my opinion "white feminism" is the new "TERF". It's used as a way to silence women talking about issues affecting women and guilt trip them into staying silent. Like "TERF" it has some grounds in reality. Black women definitely have less of a voice in feminism (and society as a whole) than white women and need to be heard. But people using "white feminist" tend to be other white people and use it as tone/conversation policing.
It's really getting my goat recently. I'm in an intersectional group and we seem to spend more time discussing all other social issues than those actually affecting women. Not sure that was the intent of the original "intersectional" concept

My brain exploded when I was accused of being a 'white middle-class feminist' by a white middle-class born-male TRA. He was born MC and white (and male). I was born WC and my heritage is mixed (tho you'd never guess and I never pretend to be anything but white) and female.

I figured then it was the equivalent of 'know your place in the pecking order and shut up you mouthy, castrating bitch and let the men talk'.

I am white. I like in an almost all white community. Many of the people who aren't white are involved in the university and are doing probably better than me financially. As a feminist I have been unable to find a local group, and it would have to be local because I don't have either any transport or much money. So basically I'm an online feminist and in my attitudes and approach to everyday life. All the people close to me know of my feelings on the subject.

Intersectionality is something I understand in principle but have no way of engaging with in practice. Trouble is, there aren't enough out and public feminists. We represent 10% of women but that 10% doesn't start groups.

Take me, for instance. I could theoretically start my own group. University town, you'd think there should be loads of takers. But it takes a committee loving woman to start a group: someone who enjoys organising things. Which I hate. And am crap at.

I went to a feminist conference last summer and loved it. Will definitely go to another. In the meantime I sign petitions and engage online. I object very strongly to the idea that white feminism is worthy of attack simply because it's white. It's all about class analysis. Women are oppressed. as women. Race or disability can be shown as oppressive by class analysis in the same way. I am partially disabled.

Of course there's also the American angle. I believe the dismissive "white feminism" accusation comes from there. The dramatic figures that demonstrate the oppression of African Americans just don't happen to that extent here, for a whole range of reasons. I would have a hard time finding someone in real life who would welcome me trying to engage in intersectionality.

I read this thread and it helped me to make some sense of this issue - there are probably other more in depth threads but this was recent so I remember it.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/2836970-Is-being-an-ally-really-all-that-women-can-do-if-they-dont-also-belong-to-another-at-risk-group

There was a recent thread here about this that had some great posts that finally kind of settled this for me! Will see if I can find it.