we need to talk about white feminism: from social media ‘feminists’ to the Suffragettes

If your feminism only caters to white, middle class, cis women — is it really feminism?

In this episode, we talk about white feminism: a version of feminism that often only represents the experiences of white, cis, middle-class women — leaving out women of colour, LGBTQIA+ women, disabled women, and those impacted by class, colonialism, and systemic oppression.

From the exclusion of Black women in the suffragette movement (something your history teacher might not have mentioned) to the often pink, commodified feminism we see from large figures today — let’s deep dive the history and current displays of white feminism, looking at:

⁃ What is white-feminism?

⁃ the Suffragette’s exclusion of black women

⁃ choice feminism

⁃ Pop culture figure, influencers, and white feminism

⁃ How to be more intersectional in your approach

This episode was largely collective from the Taboo on the Bus community to be as inclusive and considerate to everyone’s viewpoints and experiences as possible. I understand I am a white woman and aim to be contributing to this conversation without taking space away from more important voices. Please use this as a potential basepoint, or small part of your understanding, and consider the voices, stories, and input from those more affected by these issues from marginalised communities. Reading list below!

This episode isn’t about shaming individual women — it’s about encouraging all of us to think more critically, be more intersectional, and hold ourselves (and the people we look up to) to a higher standard.

#tabooonthebus #whitefeminism #intersectionalfeminism #popfeminism #suffragettehistory #genderequality #choicefeminism

Reading list:

BOOK

Ain't I a woman : black women and feminism

hooks, bell, 1952-2021.

Main stock ; 305.4208996073

Me, not you : the trouble with mainstream feminism

Phipps, Alison, author.

The Right to Sex: Shortlisted for the Orwell Prize 2022 Kindle Edition

by Amia Srinivasan

“Diversity Within”: The Problems with “Intersectional” White Feminism in Practice

Christoffersen, Ashlee ; Emejulu, Akwugo

Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women White Feminists Forgot Hardcover –

by Mikki Kendall (Author

White Tears Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Colour Paperback – 21 Oct. 2021

by Ruby Hamad (Author)

Your silence will not protect you

Lorde, Audre, author.

2017

Bad Feminist Paperback – 21 Aug. 2014

by Roxane Gay (Author)

What a tine to be alone - What a Time to Be Alone: The Slumflower's Guide to Why You Are Already Enough

Chidera Eggerue