Women of colour call out white feminism

Alysha Hira: “White feminism to me is kinda like an invalidation of like, my womanhood because I’m not included in the white feminist movement. I’m not included in their protection, I’m not included in their battle for rights. They’re basically saying, ‘You’re not good enough.’ [That’s] from people who are supposed to relate to you on similar struggles. Of course, white people in general don’t necessarily relate to my colour experience especially me, being a second-generation Canadian, they don’t understand what that’s like. But we should all understand what it’s like to have uterus and feel oppressed and to be misunderstood because we’re women. Apparently, we’re supposed to like wear makeup and nail polish, and that’s it. Nothing else. We’re apparently not allowed to be educated, we’re not allowed to be passionate about our rights. And so for other females or other ‘feminists’ or other uterus-bearing people to say that I’m not good enough because the colour of my skin is a major slap in the face.”

Jasmine Gill: “Feminism is supposed to be about fighting for equality, and I think it’s important to recognize that there are many different types of inequality that can be experienced, sometimes all at once. Understanding that race, sexuality, socio-economic status, ability, and even like level of health, affect the way people are treated. That’s important, if we’re trying to build a society where people are respectful and accepting to everyone and where people are given equal opportunities.”

Kiran Kant: “I think it’s pretty plain and simple: if your feminism isn’t intersectional, then you clearly don’t understand the true meaning of the word. As a woman of colour and feminist, I’m offended when people view these issues as separate. Feminism is supposed to be all-inclusive, covering every gender, sexuality and race. This brand of ‘white feminism’ is problematic, and damaging to the movement. Like yes, it is fact that women earn less then men, but as our skin tone darkens, our paycheque lowers as well. For every white feminist that demands equal pay for women, there are a hundred women of colour screaming, “For ALL women!” When only a selection of people benefit from your feminism, then you need to reevaluate your definition of oppression.”

Nina Mosallaei: “We’re supposed to be united and be fighting this fight together as women, but how can we when women of colour, or, the ‘others,’ are grouped away from the ‘normal’ feminists, the white women? It’s exhausting to be thinking you’re aiming for the same cause, only to be reminded again and again that your cause is not only different, but harder. You do not qualify to have as much of a voice as you think you do.”

Laila Aabedi: “White feminists see the hijab as a symbol of oppression forced on Muslim women. I don’t think a lot of us Muslim women are oppressed. If anything, I think we are liberated in ways Western women aren’t. The hijab allows women to no longer be valued in a materialistic manner, like her looks or the shape of her body. The hijab basically forces others to judge her for her intelligence, kindness, honesty and personality. It’s a way to judge a woman for what actually matters: her inner beauty. My parents said I can wear it when I’m ready, which I’m not at the moment.”

Jen Quach: “White feminism? I think they need to understand that people of colour are oppressed on a different level than white women are. Like, I’m in the business program and while white women are fighting for equal pay and opportunities as men, I’m working twice as hard just to be heard and be taken seriously. Being an Asian woman, I’m stereotypes as docile, obedient…basically like someone’s personal secretary. It’s harder for me to be respected.”