ALL FOR ONE
Charlotte Baryo
From the top right, clockwise: Muslim woman, transgender man, Indigenous man, Black woman, albino woman, Latinx woman, Asian woman, Black man
Feminism has often been focused on how oppressive systems like sexism, racism, the gender binary, etc. impact and create inequalities for women. And yes, women are the people who most visibly suffer. There are discriminatory hiring practices, sexual harassment, the pay gap, the pink tax, and often verbal degradation that women experience. Effects that impact Black, Latinx, and impoverished women at higher rates.
But it is not just women that bump up against societal systems. All men are oppressed by these same forces and it is important for them to realize that. They are needed in order to create equality of the sexes.
Feminism should be a mutual understanding between all people that, in order for true equality to exist, all oppressive systems need to be deconstructed and the most marginalized of the people need to have their voices heard and supported.
MOVIE OF INFLUENCE
BiblioCommons
This movie reflects the experiences of a multitude of men and boys. From positive interactions with each other to the negative effects of racism, patriarchy, and societal gender roles.
An ideal and inclusive form of feminism requires that men understand and fight against these oppressive institutions. And that they understand how their privilege may affect other people and can promote healthy change.
A Fight Against TERfs
Photo of Marsha P. Johnson from Biography.com
Marsha P. Johnson was a transgender activist during the Stonewall Riots. As a woman of color, most movements were already excluding her needs or people of color in general. But during the protests for equal rights for LGBTQ+ people, a new term emerged.
TERF, an acronym that stands for Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist, means the belief that transgender women should not be a part of feminism because they are not "real women". What would their stance be on transgender men?
This sentiment is rather concerning, as it also insinuates that men should not be considered a part of feminism just because they do not have XX chromosomes.
Feminism is tackling the roots of gender norms, sexism, and racism in the name of equality. Institutions that affect men just like women; so why should they not be a part of the solution?
"This is not a men vs. women issue. it's about people vs. prejudice"
-Laura Bates
"i'm a feminist, just by the virtue of the fact that I believe in equal rights for everyone"
-Daniel Radcliffe
A PERSON I ADMIRE
An Instagram post from mattxiv
Matt Bernstein is a queer, Jewish man in NYC. On his Instagram page, he combines art with powerful messages, sharing positivity and inclusivity. A majority of his posts relate to the LGBTQ+ and some of the adversities they experience or fight against every day.
For a large part of history, transgender women were not considered women and they were excluded from important movements (such as the Stonewall Riots and, more recently, feminism). Feminism is not complete without including LGBTQ+ folks.
"to those accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression" -Anonymous
AUTHORS ON FEMINISM
Renya Ramirez
Renya Ramirez is a Native American activist and writer. In one of her papers, Race, Tribal Nation, and Gender, Ramirez writes about the struggle of accepting feminism and the woman's rights movement in the tribe. Often, the fight for women's liberation is swept under the rug; out of fear that it will weaken their activism against racism and colonialism. This ignores that the institutions that perpetuate racism and colonialism would have to be deconstructed to achieve intersectional feminism.
The Combahee River Collective
This collective is a group of Black feminists and lesbians that have been meeting since the 70s. They believe that feminism is for everyone. Additionally, they do not have any of the advantages that other groups may have; they face sexism, racism, homophobia, classism, and a lack of access to resources. So, by liberating and gaining equality for those in the Combahee River Collective, all of the institutions that marginalize others would have to be confronted. Feminism benefits all only when it serves the needs of those most oppressed.