I've just come across this video on AJ+ Youtube channel that is a Qatari channel. I know there are a lot of videos about white feminism but I think this one resonates with and summarizes a number of topics addressed in the readings we're doing for next class, especially Mohanty's.
Enjoy watching...
Interesting. Thank you. I do agree when they're talking about inclusion and diverse experiences that need to be recognized. Same thing in my experience when I'm home and rallying for equality, we tend to forget that class, level of education, language, and status separate us and thus other people benefit from the improvements or changes more than others. White feminism is an interesting aspect where I've interacted with a number of white college students who tend to be shocked that women of color want the same things they want. It's as if they don't deserve any of these things, at-least not yet. However, I do believe that all this is manifested from the privilege that people don't recognize they have until someone points it out. Otherwise, this was an interesting video, thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the interesting video!
ReplyDeleteAs a male person, I have been confused about how I can/should make a commitment to feminism which attempts to deconstruct the male-centered, misogynistic systems. I do not mean a male person cannot be a feminist, but when I say I am a feminist, I feel I am taking over feminism (although I acknowledge that I don’t have much “power” to take over an entire social movement). I totally agreed with an activist in the video suggests that “only thing that white women can do to change mainstream white feminism is to step back and center the voices of women.” I do not think that this is not only about white feminism and non-white feminisms, but any kinds of social movements and issues of representation. I am not sure if I am a “qualified” feminist but as a male person who engages in a lot of feminist theories and discussions, I think that I need to be silent. Nobody can speak for others. As a male grad-student from one of the most “developed” countries, I cannot speak for women, people with low education, or those from the global South. As a privileged in many ways, I think that what I can/should do is to be silent. But I think that being silent is not enough because even if the privilege start to be silent, it does not ensure a safe/comfortable space for the marginalized to speak out. I think that the privilege need to strategically use their privileges to de-center their privileges voices and center the marginalized/ignored voices.
I think what you are proposing is really important but how many privileged women/men/feminists are aware of this and ready to step back and leave the platform for those who have no voice?!
DeleteHowever, small steps like raising this concern and raising awareness about it will have the ripple effect.