Hiding behind feminism allows the problematic girlboss to rebrand and remain unanswerable to the harm she has caused. Inclusivity is worn as a skin to deflect bad behavior. TW: Sexual Harassment, Sexual Abuse By Gloria Oladipo Nadya Okamoto has been described as “inspirational” and a “leader of the menstrual movement” after founding the non-profit “PERIOD”...
Category: Feminism
How Men Can Be Slightly Less Trash
Cisgender men need to intentionally open themselves up to more than just their own perspectives, opinions and experiences. Cisgender men often ask me what they can do as “allies” or “accomplices” to women, femmes, trans and GNC/nonbinary people. I am usually willing to offer my thoughts on the matter, but I am often discouraged because...
Honoring Asma Jahangir, Pakistani Feminist Trailblazer and Human Rights Activist
Asma’s life and work is the very definition of South Asian feminism and in many ways is also a blueprint for future human rights and feminist activism in Pakistan and beyond. Fierce and fearless Pakistani human rights activist, feminist trailblazer, and democracy advocate Asma Jahangir died on Feb. 11, in her hometown of Lahore, but...
White Feminists, We Can Still See Your Cis White Supremacy Under Your Pink Pussy Hats
When rich white women get to board the train from the suburbs donning their treasured pink pussy hats, and they get to say this march is for me, who are they ignoring in the process? By Ally Sabatina Jan. 20 marked one year since Donald Trump was sworn into office as president and with it...
Dear Rose McGowan, Here’s Why I Won’t Be Watching ‘Citizen Rose’
Rose McGowan seeks to bask in the glow of a compassion only reserved for white women whilst the footprints of her Doc Martens are pressed into our backs. I employ what one could call a ‘survivor’s leniency’. As a complex PTSD sufferer because of multiple sexual assaults, and the recipient of intense therapeutic support which...
2017 IS THE YEAR WHITE FEMINISM CHECKED HERSELF INTO HOSPICE AND REFUSED TO DIE
May white feminism stay and die in 2017. They have really outdone themselves. My newsfeed curation is constantly being managed by my trigger-happy fingers that have turned ‘unfollow’ into a reflex reaction. Yet, I can be laughing uproariously at some delicious black comedy and I know on the horizon Becky Conquistador waits in her boat...
Aurora Perrineau Deserves Justice From Lena Dunham’s Violent Whiteness
White women have a legacy of protecting white men, even if it means hindering their own progress and especially when it means gaslighting Black women. [TW- mention of sexual assault.] Men who attack and harass women, other men, non-binary, trans and gender non-conforming people live in our social circles. It’s a culture and it’s unavoidable but...
“Bitches Don’t Know What They Want”: On Unsolicited Dick Offers And Misogynoir
We support and we march in support of black men, but we can’t get to work or home without fighting through dick offers and bitch insults from them. By M. Shelly Conner Let’s be clear: I paid three dollars and a hug for street harassment. Or assault. I still don’t know what to call it. I...
Incels: The Vile, Extremist Community of Men Who (Really) Hate Women
Incels’ misogyny goes beyond everyday sexism. TW: This essay contains discussion of sexual violence and gendered violence against women. It also contains passages from men who express extremely abusive, dehumanizing, and violent misogynistic beliefs. Incel – (n.) involuntary celibate or involuntary celibacy The incel community is a monstrosity far worse than “nice guys” and those...
All of Us: The Insidious Ways That Patriarchy Harms Everyone
Patriarchy prevents society from realizing that abuse broken down is a power dynamic that defeats the right of choice, which only harms everyone involved. By Barbara Muhumuza “People get used to anything. The less you think about your oppression, the more your tolerance for it grows. After a while, people just think oppression is the...