Feminism is a complex movement with a multitude of subsections that are often overlooked. In itself traditional feminism isn’t malicious. However, the complete disregard for intersectionality causes traditional feminism to fall behind and fail to protect the people it was made for. The objective of traditional feminism is to advocate for women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes. This focus suggests that all women are equal, which neglects the oppressive structures already put in place.
Women are not only marginalized for their sex. The discrimination continues through other parts of their identity, such as race, ethnicity, ability, class and so on. This means that all women are not inherently equal, and traditional feminism neglects to acknowledge this.
White cisgender able-bodied women are the basis of traditional feminism and without regard for intersectionality, traditional feminism will only achieve equality for one group. Women of color, disabled women, transgender women, underprivileged women and other minority identifiers will be left behind.
Feminists cannot scream for change and equality while simultaneously ignoring the injustices that their own communities face. We cannot diminish the voices of those disproportionately affected by discrimination. Intentional inclusion of our differences is necessary for us to learn from one another in order to progress within the movement.
Intersectional feminism incorporates and acknowledges these pieces of individual identity in order to achieve equality for all kinds of women. Individual identities can overlap to put different people at a greater disadvantage. When these differences are acknowledged, the feminist community can work together to advocate for all women. Advocating for women who are experiencing overlapping oppression allows for normally overlooked issues to be tackled while still holding the main objective of making all women equal.
Women must look within themselves and recognize the disadvantages and privileges they possess. The self-awareness that comes with this realization allows women to become allies and tackle issues that are unique to different communities. Getting rid of the ignorance that surrounds identity is necessary to highlight the individual voices and experiences that are constantly suppressed.
If women don’t advocate for each other and accept the differences among each other, there won’t be a system that accepts any of them. Traditional feminism should be a gateway towards intersectional feminism rather than an end goal. Becoming a feminist and learning about the movement should push towards a more inclusive movement rather than settling for a general goal with no action or specificity behind it. Intersectionality is necessary for the progress of the feminist movement.
