Feminism for women of colour...

[AnotherEpisode]

As a black woman, I quite often feel sidelined within feminism.

I don't feel feminism addresses the difficulties faced by women of colour in western societies and quite often I feel I am drawn to race issues over feminist issues because of this.

I absolutely have more difficulties in this society because of the colour of my skin than I do because of my sex.

I feel that the lack of understanding towards racism amongst feminist circles gives me a stance of one over the other in which racism usually wins, which is unfortunate really!

This article, although written in a strong, comical and sometimes rude tone, gives a good insight!

thegrio.com/2015/02/23/patricia-arquette-blacks-gays-white-women/

Not sure why I'm posting but I'm interested in a wider perspective especially people's thoughts on the article!

The Xxed, you don't need to apologise. I know there are topics that are sensitive and I react when a man does something similar.

I just think that as long as there is mutual respect and a willingness to engage and understand, that it's important to have the difficult discussions. And I do appreciate that there is not a hive mind for black and ethnic minorities.

I don't understand your question Xx, as I haven't referred to cutting or vaginas at all.

'An example of getting it wrong (which has happened to me a couple of times) might be assuming any woman from an African background has either undergone FGM or had some experiences related to it when in fact it is a localised and by no means widespread practice. Plenty of Africans find it as inexplicable and horrific as Europeans do.'

I don't care personally about bme but obviously we are not a hive mind. I know nothing about fgm for example.

Desert flower is about stamping out fgm everywhere but what do grass roots organisers suggest in a UK context. I think that technically I don't mind school examinations if all children had them ifywim. Otherwise it must be awful to be that one girl from the wrong bit of Africa who has the special check up.

Ethnic minority I neither like nor dislike-it is a useful term and often the most accurate.

'Ethnic' on its own I strongly dislike. Everyone has an ethnicity, I'm no more nor less ethnic than anyone else.

Things being described as tribal or ethnic (outside the narrow context where one is in fact talking about characteristics or things emanating from a specific tribe) e.g. in fashion ("tribal prints") infuriates me.

Still not clear, Xx

Urban or street fashions = black
Gives me rage too

How did the conversation around FGM start? how did you find out they hadnt been cut?

One of the reasons that "people of color" is used in the US is to avoid "minority" which is acquiring negative connotations now in the US, and of course "non-white" which suggests that white is the default or the norm.

I don't mind ethnic minority, it's a descriptive term not a pejorative one (imo).

whodrank that's an interesting point. Is there an organisation that deals solely with fgm in the UK?

It's also different in the US because most people have an ethnic identity other than American.

How did I find out who hadn't been cut?

The African woman being referred to in the "example of getting it wrong" is me. White people assuming that I might have undergone some form of FGM, or narrowly escaped it, or come from a group that practises it.

I haven't, didn't and don't. I found it annoying that these people seized on a topic with a lot of media traction that they did not understand and lazily made assumptions about my relationship to it, based on having an African background (because we Africans are all the same, obvs).

I am only aware of the woman who was on TV who campaigned in a Britain only context. She has been featured in the guardian a bit. Cannot look her up at the moment

Ratbag what did you same. That is so outrageous I think I my eyebrow would be scratching my hairline on response. Did you keep a straight face?

whodrank are you thinking of Leyla Hussein and daughters of eve?

ratbag seriously? That's worse than the dimwit who asked whether I had an arranged marriage.

Yes enormouse I am. She is the one.

ratbag I see I was confused, howeved that does highlight the fact that people believe they should have access to black women's bodies. Including white women.

That they should be able to ask painful and personal and questions.

Interestingly desert rose seems to advocate speaking out to say it isn't ok. Supporting victims and letting them tell their stories. And a support hot line to report suspected fgm and get help if you are survivor

Nope it was leyla hussein. Very striking looking woman I Googled her, she was definitely the one I saw previously.

Daughters of eve do not recommend school examinations based on their website.

FGM and they way its discussed and who discuses it is extremely political. The met have revealed they are increasing surveillance of 9 key boroughs to help end the practice and secure a conviction. Which is weird since the boroughs they have chosen are already heavily surveiled.

HSCIC are going to start collecting data on where and when FGM has taken place in April. There is very little evidence its taking place in England.

Brilliant article [[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/fgm-top-gynaecologisthits-out-at-political-prosecution-for-female-genital-mutilation-9213200.html]]

A highlight from the article.
Dr Erskine said: “I have yet to see anyone born in the UK who has had FGM. I know it happens, but it is rare. All the women I have seen with FGM were born outside the UK and were cut before they arrived here.”