Challenging White Feminism Through Intersectionality: Historical Perspectives and Contemporary Realities
Explore the historical roots of white feminism and its intersectional challenges through key figures like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sojourner Truth, and Ida B. Wells. Unpack the importance of intersectionality in feminism today by addressing issues such as the wage gap and racial disparities in maternal mortality rates. Join the discourse on how inclusivity and diversity are essential for a truly equitable feminist movement.
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White Feminism and the Challenge of Intersectionality Dr. Karen Gaffney, English Department Raritan Valley Community College
Elizabeth Cady Stanton World Anti-Slavery Convention, London, 1840 Women were not allowed to speak Women s Rights Convention, Seneca Falls, NY, 1848: Declaration of Sentiments The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over her. Who is woman ? Who is ignored? Nearby indigenous Seneca just passed constitution inc.voting rights for women and men (Freedman 21) White, middle-class, heterosexual identity is normalized
Sojourner Truth Ain't I a Woman? Women s Rights Convention, December 1851 That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman?
Ida B. Wells 1913: suffrage parade in Washington, DC to support women s right to vote White women activists told Wells that black women had to march in the back of the parade, in a segregated section Wells: Either I go with you or not at all. I am not taking this stand because I personally wish for recognition. I am doing it for the future benefit of my whole race.
What gets ignored today when feminism is not intersectional? Wage gap, 2015 For every $1 a white man earns, White women earn 76 African American women earn 62 American Indian women earn 58 Latinas earn 54 https://www.aauw.org/2014/04/03/race-and-the-gender-wage-gap/
What gets ignored today when feminism is not intersectional? Black moms across the US are three and a half times more likely to die in childbirth than white Americans. (The pregnancy-related mortality rate is 12 per 100,000 live births for white women, and 40 per 100,000 for black women.) https://www.vox.com/health-care/2017/7/3/15886892/black-white-moms-die-childbirth-north-carolina-less
What gets ignored today when feminism is not intersectional? Life expectancy trans women of color - 35 years https://www.huffingtonpost.com/addison-rose-vincent/the-state-of-emergency-co_b_7981580.html white women - 81 years https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/04/20/474884894/life-expectancy-drops-for-white-women-increases- for-black-men
What can white feminists do to develop a more intersectional approach? Critique white supremacy, patriarchy, capitalism, heterosexism at same time How are white women complicit in white supremacy? Learn about social construction of whiteness If feminism is reinforcing oppression, is it really feminism? Recognize that it is only when the most marginalized are free that we are all free #BlackWomenLead
Thank you to the Womens Center! Email: Karen.Gaffney@raritanval.edu Blog: dividednolonger.com Twitter: @dividednolonger Facebook: Divided No Longer
