What is White Feminism?
Cover image from Mic's video called, "Have You Tried White Feminism?"
White feminism is a white woman crying, "That isn't very 'women-empowerment' of you!" when you're trying to explain to her how her actions, behavior, and/or language are racist. White feminism is when white women only want to talk about sexism, misogyny, the patriarchy, or the "positive" aspects of history. White feminism is pink pussy hats (which are trans-misogynistic). White feminism is taking #metoo and not giving credit to Tarana Burke. White feminism is outraged about sexual assault when Hollywood elites are affected, but not blinking an eye when it comes to the fact that there are no statistics for missing and murdered Indigenous women in the United States because our government just doesn't deem it worthy of inquiry. White feminism is waking up, looking in the mirror, and the thought never crosses your mind that you are a white woman.
White feminism is not grappling with how, as white women, we are oppressors too. White feminism does not look at itself, does not aim to de-center itself, and is only concerned about its own social and economic capital. White feminism is refusing to confront and account for the ways we cause harm due to the blinders that come with white privilege. This means white women have to work really hard towards being more self-aware, conscientious, and humble. White feminism is embodied perfectly in the suffragettes. If you’re not fighting for poor womxn, Black womxn, Indigenous womxn, LGBTQIA+ folx, trans, non-binary folx, then you are practicing white feminism. If you are a white woman who doesn’t believe that racism and white supremacy have anything to do with climate change then you are a prime example of white feminism. White feminism is an ugly beast to tame and it takes a lifetime of work towards uprooting it and keeping it in check.
Here are some sources for learning more about White Feminism:
White Women You Need to Talk About Racism
On Prisons, Borders, Safety, and Privilege: An Open Letter to White Feminists
NO INVISIBILITY CLOAK WHITE FEMINISM WON’T SAVE AZIZ ANSARI FROM HIMSELF
Marina Shut Up's Video on White Feminism
No Sugar Added: We Need to Talk About White Feminism
White Feminists Need To Call Out Racist Attacks on Leslie Jones
