Why #SolidarityisforWhiteWomen Is So Important

[ismnotwasm]

Last edited Tue Aug 13, 2013, 10:10 PM - Edit history (1)

(I don't know how many are aware of this hashtag, or the history behind it, but i thought I should post something here)

Right now on Twitter a well-known Black woman blogger @Karnythia has started a trend online with the hashtag #SolidarityisforWhiteWomen. I have seen related tweets coming from publications such as Al Jazeera and Colorlines.

Of course, there are the people who automatically jump to the conclusion that #Solidarity is about hating on White women who want equality for ~*everybody*~, and that people of color participating in the tag are just race-baiting. That’s a given. And I’m sure most of said people are not actually reading the hashtag, they are just responding to the name. For those who aren’t aware, it should feel like a punch to the gut. I promise you that being excluded from the mainstream feminist movement feels much worse.

To be clear though, this hashtag is about holding “allies” accountable. It should be self-explanatory! For too long, White, straight, cis, able-bodied women have been the face of feminism.




Read #SolidarityisforWhiteWomen to understand what marginalised people are trying to say. Feminism is supposed to be for people marginalized by patriarchy, but so far it only uplifts the women pictured above.

Here are some gems from #Solidarity


More:

http://andthenkeirsaid.com/2013/08/12/why-solidarityisforwhitewomen-is-so-important/

[ZombieHorde]

1. I agree that this is very important.

Many of the early feminist pioneers had access to money, which gave them the freedom to do the important work that they did. WOC were too busy working just to survive, so they didn't have as much time. So the main feminist think tanks were composed of white women with access to money, and naturally, their biggest concerns were the first ones addressed.

[Arcanetrance]

2. My niece and I were talking about this the other day

She was saying that when you look at thing for feminism it still seems to be geared toward a socially acceptable group of women. Basically white women with what society deems proper fat ratio and bone structure the whole nine. She said came away feeling like main stream feminism isn't for her.

[ismnotwasm]

3. Which proves the point of the twitter movement I think

There used to be, in feminism, something called "Standpoint theory" -- an ill-advised philosophy that basically said the experience of being female was the same for everyone (that's simplifying it, but close enough)

What. A. Crock.

There are many different ways to experiences, and the privileged experiences of middle-class heterosexual whiteness does NOT speak for all women. Or all people.

I'd rather face an uncomfortable truth than live a self-righteous lie.

I hope your niece finds a fit in Feminism, and I invite her to 'The One Billion Rising' movement; it's a world- wide protest against violence against women. You hear voices from many cultures and from all over the world.

http://www.onebillionrising.org/

[Arcanetrance]

4. I'm trying to get her to sign up here and maybe be able to talk to some of the women who post in

this group. Cause while I support feminist issues as a male I'm very limited in what I can help with. Sadly tho in this family I seem to be the only one she can talk to as the other women are kinda anti feminist.

[ismnotwasm]

7. Sure

And If she likes politics DU, while not feminist per se, is an open door to many faces of feminism. (As well as those with anti-feminist thought; but those are not the point) I've found lots of good stuff and links and blogs from posters here.

[CrispyQ]

13. I'm ashamed to admit I was guilty of thinking that.

"the experience of being female was the same for everyone"

It wasn't until I read on the fem forums at DU that I woke up. Then, when I started taking the bus again, I really noticed it. I get more deferential treatment that WOC, even if it's as simple as the empty seat next to me will be the last one taken. Like my personal space is more privileged because I'm white. Class probably has something to do with it, too, but that is also kind of linked to race, as I've had more opportunity throughout my life & my mother & grandmother, too.

Justice. We would be better creatures if we worked to achieve it.

[1StrongBlackMan]

5. Thank You for making this post …

Very interesting; but I doubt it will be well received on DU, outside of HoF … too many truths.

But that said, clicking on stuff at the site led me to this:

http://blackgirldangerous.org/new-blog/2013/6/17/8-ways-not-to-be-an-ally

Great stuff!

[ismnotwasm]

6. Nice!-- My favorite and why these discussions are not well-received

2. Make every thing about your feelings

The hurt feelings that resulted when you were called out on racism/transphobia/ableism/etc. are totally more important than the impact of the actions you are being called out for in the first place. Really. I'm not even being facetious. Psych! I mean, I know it feels like your feelings are Consideration #1, but they're not. I have been guilty of this ridiculousness myself in the past. I think everybody is guilty of it sometimes. But that still doesn't make it okay. Try to remember that people who have been impacted by your racist/transphobic/ableist/etc. words or actions are the ones whose feelings need attention right then. Not yours.

[1StrongBlackMan]

8. Yep ...

I liked that and it is totally appropriate for my white liberal experience ... But I really couldn't pick a favorite. I kinda like 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and in light of the recent "Quote a Black Guy to Attack a Black Guy"posts here, I really like #8.

[redqueen]

9. Oh look, it's Inna Shevchenko

https://twitter.com/binaemanvel/status/367201254453153792/photo/1

[JustAnotherGen]

10. Oooh

I'll try looking on my smartphone in a little bit - blocked on this connection from twitter. But your 'voice' has been greatly missed.

[redqueen]

11. Heh....

It's true though. This white liberal feminist shit needs to be called out, and I'm damn glad that Hugo is getting called out too.

[ismnotwasm]

12. Goddam!!!

And for your comment

[ismnotwasm]

14. Thousands stage rival rallies in Tunisia ahead of Westerwelle visit

Two competing demonstrations were held in Tunisia's capital Tunis on Tuesday to mark the 57th anniversary of landmark women's rights legislation.
Anti-government parties said tens of thousands of people took part in a march from central Tunis to parliament buildings in the suburb of Bardo. Mainly female secularist protesters chanted slogans for women's rights and against the moderate Islamist Ennahda party.
"Tunisian women today are telling the Islamists 'Get out, we want a modern government,'" one protester named Sonia told news agency Reuters.

Many in Tunisia fear that religious radicals are gaining too much influence over the country's political discourse. The governing Ennahda party, however, has to find a way to appeal to both secularists and Islamists. (10.08.2013)
A few kilometres away a pro-government demonstration drew a smaller crowd, although thousands were reported to have taken part. Government supporters gathered in the capital's central Habib Bourguiba Avenue, the epicenter of the 2011 revolt that overthrew veteran strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
"The Tunisian woman is with elections and against the toppling of the government," read a sign waved by one Ennahda supporter.
Women's Day commemorates the enactment of a series of laws passed in 1956 which banned polygamy and gave women rights to equal pay and education. Known as the Personal Status Code, the laws were the most socially progressive in the Arab world.

So, thousands of women-- protest with their clothes ON, imagine that.

[kwassa]

15. No, this can't be Inna, this woman is wearing a top.

Case closed.