my understanding of a radical woc feminism
nubian on Feb 1st 2006
an attempt to briefly define my idea of a radical woc feminism:
women of color are not a monolithic group. our economic conditions, ethnic identity, “raced” identity, and sexual identities are diverse. and even within those identities, language, geographical location, age, and our immigrant vs. “native” status, play a strong role in how we interact and move within society. however, the term does connote and foster an idea of solidarity, as our individual conceptions of reality through these social hierarchies, are products of our existence within a society that deems all brown female bodies as inferior to white-heterosexual-males and females, respectively. through this common bond, radical women of color have negotiated a space of positive dialouge in the constraints of the margins, as we work to construct a progressive image of women that contrasts with preconceived notions of women of color’s passivity and victimhood. it is within our complexities, that the concept of a radical woc feminism draws on difference in order to engage a collective feminist framework.
a fundamental perspective of a radical woman of color feminism, lies in the explicit focus on the gendered relations of power infused with other forms of discrimination; a race-class-gender framework. a radical woman of color feminist process, allows for a critique of the concept of patriarchal oppression (i tend to use this term sparingly), through an objective lens of race. specifically, such as how white women are seen as complicit agents of a white patriarchical structure, since they share privileged experiences with white men, in the subordination of women who are not white–a radical women of color perspective also understands that this same white patriarchal structure, has dictated the social constructs of male identity from a black males hyper-masculinity to an asian males feminized masculinity.–so, it is safe to assume, that one objective of a radical woc goal is for both men and women of color to form collectives that work to combat racist oppressive social institutions. women of color also realize that our identities are too influenced by white patriarchy which, doesn’t necessarily position us as fully liberated just because we call ourselves “radical” women of color, instead, we are aware of our ability to criticize and begin the process of forging new identities.
i do not want to imply that men of color did not have gendered ideas of female inferiority before contact with white supremacy. but, i embrace a radical woc feminism because of the space that i am offered to challenge traditional norms by distancing myself from aspects of “tradition” that discriminate against women. my adoption of a radical feminism, sees men of color as beneficiaries and victims of patriarchal structures and that if not addressed, can only harm women. i do encounter tensions from men of color who believe that i am subverting some form of a nationalist agenda, as they maintain that i have denied my “black identity” and therefore, my history. rather than to be deterred, i see these situations as proof of the anxieties produced by the fragile systems of domination, oppression and patriarchy that are set in place.
like all feminisms, a radical woc version has its pitfalls. i must address that the term carries intellectual weight, as it has roots in an institutionalized academic and activist setting. the cultural capital of the academy maintains its power, as scholars have the ability to define others. and as scholars of color who identify as a “woman of color,” we have become the voice of authority. which brings up the question, how can we really be “radical” when we have some “access” to move within the white patriarchy like white women? (a question for discussion perhaps?)–or more specifically, how can we not be?
plus, i think, that my lived experience and other womens narratives similar to mine, are not the end all solution to an emancipation of women of color. but, i do think that a collective feminist practice for women of color has to be offered for a new vision—a vision that attempts to resituate us as carriers of cultural agency. one that does not capitalize on the “shock value” of our “oppression”–instead, it interrogates and deconstructs the various forces that perpetuate inequality and injustice.
category: race
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hmm you seem to have gotten all your work done very quickly
some hiatus
lol
Carajo mujer, good, deep heavy food for thought. Currently I struggle with the word feminists mostly because of the fact that many of the white women who fall under that catagory are suspect of me as a feminist because of choices I have made and/or because I have been “used” by white feminists.
::thinking::
First *applause* . I also think WOC feminism adresses issues of class dialogue that white feminism avoids entirely. Too often it discussions are centered on upper class women ,their offspring and desires. Identity is forefront in WOC feminism and with comes an absolute necessity of orienting the writer or exminer in text and contect. RWOC feminism is much more aware of privilege and access in all it’s forms because it constantly confronts and is confronted. Too often in non WOC feminism their is a lone voice of a women of color (my recent Bitch magazine) about the lack of women of color. In RWOC feminism I appreciate the affirmation and examination of life that niether begins or ends solely with in the gaze of white culture or desire of mainstream identity.
hola la mala:
quiero decir that i feel the same way about white feminists. i’m sorry–may be not–some of those women are so fucking blind, so fucking holier than thou, and so fucking willing to judge because another woman doesn’t fit in their safe, middle-class construct of liberal feminism. White feminists use women of color ALL the time to hide their racism, their internalized sexism, their homo/transphobia–the list is long. Because one quotes Lorde, Morraga, Mohanty, or Williams, they couldn’t possibly be racist or classist, to name a few.
so what can a white girl do to not be the ‘annoying white chic’ who feels the unbearable shame of being a white person in this world where so many injustices have been done/are being done to not only women of color, but people of color BY white people? i don’t think i ever step on anyone’s toes, but reading what some of you have to say, it looks like i could be doing it without even realizing.
Hmm, I like the term WOC feminism. I assume it’s similar to womanism, which is a term that many black women prefer over feminism.
Nevertheless, one of the reasons why I initially avoided LGBT organizations is because of the prevalence of white females who only see oppression through their unique experiences as white women in America
As with many sensitive issues in life, you must first approach an issue with an open-mind and be prepared to overcome your own internalized prejudice. However, you rarely find people who are willing to seriously deconstruct their unconscious views of other social groups.