Blanco 1

Midterm Paper
Dr. Isgro
3.05.2015
Gabriella Blanco
Hidden Histories: The White-washing of Feminism
Recently at the 2015 Oscars, actress Patricia Arquette used her acceptance speech as a
platform to push for gender equality, specifically in regards to equal pay in the workplace. She
called upon all the women in America and all the men that love women, and all the gay people,
and all the people of color that we've all fought for to join the fight (McGeorge). Her statement
illustrates a variety of issues with current mainstream feminism, and its lack of inclusivity
specifically in regards to people of color and those within the gay/queer community. Past events,
as weve been taught, are often white-washed, and the histories of marginalized people because
hidden or erased within our mainstream representations. Although there are many hidden
histories of marginalized people that deserve to be exposed, this reflection will focus specifically
on the exclusion of WoC within the feminist movement, and the importance of inclusivity when
it comes to social justice. Arquettes statement lacks acknowledgement of her place of privilege
as a white cis-women, ignores the inclusivity of all the isms including feminism, neglects
prominent WoC activists, and disregards the experiences of WoC and the issues they face. In this
paper, white feminism is defined as a set of beliefs that allows for the exclusion of issues that
specifically affect women of colour. It is "one size-fits all" feminism, where middle class white
women are the mould that others must fit. It is a method of practicing feminism, not an
indictment of every individual white feminist, everywhere, always (Mamzelle). It is a particular

Blanco 2

practice of feminism that is mostly illustrated in the mainstream, and is often what people first
think of when one mentions feminism.
In contrast to white feminism, the more inclusive definition of feminism is one that
includes all races, genders, sexualities, ethnicities, and abilities in the fight to create a more equal
and safe environment for all. Feminism is the struggle to end sexist oppression. Its aim is not to
benefit solely any specific group of women, any particular race or class of women. It does not
privilege women over men. It has the power to transform in a meaningful way all our live
(Serano). Failure to acknowledge this creates a false perception that individuals fall into a single
identification, and that there is no overlap between genders, sexualities, and race. This is clearly
not the case and there are many people who fall into more than one marginalized group such as
WoC or non-hetero women and these individuals tend to face oppression the most. Theres an
assumption among theorists that to struggle against sexism means to struggle against racism
(Paradis). Identity, as we know it in modern times, has become increasingly complex. The
concept of identity is a very personal one, but it is also how we connect and group with one
another (Weeks 43). Identity is very important because it links individuals together that share
common lived experiences that differ from others. A persons identity can include a rich
diversity of presences, neither one excluding the other (Weeks 43). A single persons identity
can include many different labels such as their race, gender, and sexuality among other things,
and all of these elements overlap and co-exist. It is important to acknowledge the
interconnectivity of individuals identities and how these issues overlap and co-exist within
society as well; resulting in the need for a more inclusive application of feminism.
There is no lack of WoC activist involved with feminism, or womanism a term that
WoC have felt more comfortable claiming (Butler). The issue instead is the lack of representation

Blanco 3

of WoC feminist, whose voices often go ignored or are questioned, or their activism goes
undocumented (Silliman 1). Its a common misperception that WoC arent involved in feminism,
and that they lack a presence or interest in feminist ideals, but instead its just going unnoticed
and unpublicized. In addition, WoC are often reluctant to associate themselves with the feminist
movement because they cant image having the same problems are white people and
mainstream feminism is made up of only white people addressing white problems (Paradis). An
important step to changing this existing social structure would be to listen to those sharing their
experiences. If one is in a position of privilege, it is important to acknowledge what that privilege
means, and its effects. White women are in a position of privilege over WoC, and their
experiences are incorrectly seen as universal. It is difficult to imagine experiences that contradict
with personal beliefs subscribed to how the world works, but it is essential in order to create a
more inclusive feminism. We do not have racial, sexual, heterosexual, or class privilege to rely
upon, nor do we have even the minimal access to resources and power that groups who possess
anyone of these types of privilege have (Butler). Simply by being white, it allows access to
power or experiences that are unlikely if of color.
White Feminism ignores the issues that WoC face, and instead focus on problems that
only a certain class/race commonly faces- middle-class white women. Women of color have
never had the luxury of simply focusing on womens issues. Considerations of race, racism, and
economic and social injustices have always intertwined with issues of patriarchy and sexism
(Butler). For example, the struggle for reproductive justice was very different between white
women and WoC, but only the white history is ever illustrated. White women focused
predominately on the right to choose to have an abortion, as well as a right to have access to birth
control. In short, it was a struggle to regain the right to not have a baby. For WoC, the fight was

Blanco 4

for the right to refuse forced sterilization the right to have a child. Both issues revolved around
the right to have control over ones body, but the issues opposite (Silliman). The reproductive
justice movement is now deeply associated with white women and the right to abortions. The
issues of forced sterilization were one that white women never had to face, and so it wasnt on
the list of feminist issues. These sterilizing tactics was linked to eugenics, and a plan to control
the population or to subtly stop the reproduction of WoC (Silliman). This is deeply linked to
racist ideals, and illustrates the powerful link between racism and sexism.
Discussions around the white-washing of feminism often bring up debate or criticisms.
Questions arise revolving around the role of white feminist in WoC feminism, and how to
correctly raise awareness of WoC issues without overstepping. There are incorrect beliefs that
much like POCs reluctance to join white feminism, that white women have no right to be
involved in WoC feminism. This is untrue because there is a way to be an ally without stealing
the conversation, or becoming the face of the cause. Simply, one must acknowledge their place
of privilege, and must listen to the lived experiences of those who have faced the injustice of
racism and classism first hand especially in regards to their experience as a WoC. Its difficult
for people to believe things that they have never experienced themselves, but its very important
to listen. Debate also arises around the issue of attacking other feminist within the feminism
sphere where there are much bigger issues at hand. In the big picture, there are large issues that
feminism still needs to tackle, but that doesnt minimize the damage of ignoring WoC
experiences. Those who are being oppressed in this situation by so-called feminist have every
right to speak out and criticize those who they feel are harmful to their cause. These very allies
can turn out to be the most harmful people to WoC feminism because they have a position of
privilege that can be used to send inaccurate representations to the mainstream when it comes to

Blanco 5

issues within the cause, and those being harmed by said representations are criticized when
speaking out.

WORKS CITED
Butler, Anthea. "Women of Color and Feminism: A History Lesson and Way Forward." RH Reality Check.
RH Reality Check, 28 July 2013. Web. 05 Mar. 2015
McGeorge, Allistair. "Patricia Arquette's Oscars Acceptance Speech Causes Backlash after She Urges
Gay People to Join Equal Pay Battle." Mirror. MIrror, 23 Feb. 2015. Web. 06 Mar. 2015
Mamzelle, Batty. "This Is What I Mean When I Say "White Feminism""BattyMamzell. Blog Spot, 10 Jan.
2014. Web. 06 Mar. 2015.
Paradis, Danielle. "Hey White Feminist: Don't Forget about Women of Color."Arts MIC. MIC, 3 July 2013.
Web. 6 Mar. 2015.
Serano, Julia. "Whipping Girl." : Cissexism and Cis Privilege Revisited. Blog Spot, 4 Nov. 2014. Web. 06
Mar. 2015.

Blanco 6
Silliman, Jael Miriam. "Women of Color and Their Struggle for Reproductive Justice." Undivided Rights:
Women of Color Organize for Reproductive Justice. Cambridge, MA: South End, 2004. N. pag. Print.
Weeks, Jefferee. "Necessary Fictions." Sexualities & Communication in Everyday Life: A Reader. By
Karen Lovaas and Mercilee M. Jenkins. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2007. N. pag.
Print.Mam
zelle, Batty. "This Is What I Mean When I Say "White Feminism""BattyMamzell. Blog
Spot, 10 Jan. 2014. Web. 06 Mar. 2015.