Questioning Feminism, In Regards to Race

You know, when others accuse me of being a Feminist, I am not insulted. As a young girl, I always felt this way. Sure I indulged in frilly femme things as a child, (and even a little now , in heavy moderation) but after getting out of that phase I took notice of how females were treated in society. Of course, like every other girl, I was immediately reminded of my class from the age of seven or so; some 7th graders from the other side of the campus went around harassing young children-and one decided it was ok to lift my skirt up, and then ask other boys to join along in doing such. Such uneventful encounters occured throughout most of my adolescent years. But before that, I always did ask default,textbook feminist questions to myself ,such as  "Why are girls pink and why are guys blue? I like blue!" or "Why is it that guys don't get their pants pulled down in public by girls'? I didn't know how to define what it was I felt until  I came across some Naomi Wolf articles on some CD my mom gave me for educational purpose. Sure I knew "of" feminism , but I didn't see the point of aligning myself with feminism since most of the feminism I saw being practiced was "Sex Positive" things.


I as a Black woman, must have seen something I couldn't describe or identify before,again. I continue to ask myself "Does Feminism Have Room For Black Women?" . Often I see feminist websites that are fairly poplular get flustered and angry when Black feminists (or non feminists,or "womanists" -cool word by the way) call White feminists out on their privilege. They often say "It's about women, addressing racism is a distraction.". This got me thinking..should Black women abandon the label Feminist? It seems like it's the same old thing again. Everytime we're feeling (or hell we ARE) excluded,we make our own brand of something. Whites were plastered everywhere on the television set, and then came in BET (I know I know, BET Sucks and it's blacksploitation all over again. Work with me!) to try to smooth things out, a little.


Much like patriarchy benifits the Black man very little-could Feminism for Black women do the same? I'm not the brightest star in the sky, so I'll try to explain this to the best of my abilities.

IF...

• Whites are the default race...

• Then the default race for Feminists are White women...

• So if White Women are fighting for White women's needs

• Where does that leave the Black women?

This is why I question Feminism.



For the record, I am not attacking Feminist women-I am simply stating my opinions . I have a high regard for rad fem views and feminism as a whole. I'd like to be proud to be called a Feminist, but I'd also appreciate it if I had a home waiting for me at the end of the freedom rainbow.