Sarra Ben Ghorbal

WGSS 2000

Extra Credit Assignment #1

Not Done: Women Remaking America

Intersectional feminism is a movement that recognizes gender equality and ways in which

women's identities, such as race, class, religious conviction, sexual orientation, and culture,

affect their oppression and discrimination experiences. Crenshaw, a scholar, first used

intersectional feminism in 1989, described it as the various dimensions of inequality and how

they function together. Overlapping people's different social identities to create discrimination

experiences connects fights for liberation and justice. The fight for equality solves the problem

of injustices based on gender and reduces oppression. Between the 1960s and 1990s, feminism

was all about reproductive rights and sexuality. The Covid-19 pandemic has exhibited

inequalities and discriminatory practices; therefore, intersectional feminism is still prevalent.

The documentary not done: Women Remaking America was directed by Sara Wolitzky

and premiered just before the presidential elections in 2020. The film focuses on four years

feminism, from elections done in 2016 to women's marches. It covers personal experiences and

stories of writers, activists, artists, and political figures. The film flashbacks on women's

movements and progress, clearly indicating their work is not done (Wolitzky, 2020). It featured

women such as Tarana, Jodi Kanter, Megan, and Portman. The film title, not done, means that

one will be free when everyone is free, and that is their power as women as they fight for

equality. The film is a reflection of sisterhood as they interviewed different women all in one
film. The film encourages feminists of the next generation to take up the challenge and fight for

equality.

Intersectional feminism organizing in 2017 led to the women's march as told by Linda,

Kantor, and Megan in the documentary. It was a worldwide protest after President Trump’s

inauguration as his statements were considered offensive. The goal was to advocate for human

rights, notably women's rights, reproductive, environment, racial religion, etc. The main march

was in Washington, but others were held worldwide and was streamed on social media platforms

such as Twitter. Women-led the march from different backgrounds and races; the organizers

clarified the protests were about protecting women's rights. Sarsour referred to the protests as a

stand on human rights concerns such as healthcare, gender, immigration (Wolitzky, 2020). To

follow up on the march, organizers posted a campaign of ten actions for one hundred days. The

march received support from celebrities and politicians such as Hillary Clinton.

Black lives matter was the first movement on social media which cleared the way for

feminism and racial justice; the co-founders are Alicia and Patrisse. The movement started with

co-founder Alicia's Facebook post when George was acquitted of Trayvon Martin, a black

teenager's murder. However, after a year, another black teenager was murdered, the movement

became a national organization. George Floyd's died in the hands of a white law enforcement

officer sparked protests all over the world. Black lives matter has forced everyone to have a

conversation of what needs to be done. The movement faced many challenges, such as the claim

that it is a symbol of hate. The movement focuses on police violence, mobilization of women,

and domestic worker's rights (Wolitzky, 2020). The fact that the founders were three women

shows that women are fighting for equality in all life dimensions.
 References

Not Done: Women Remaking America. (2020, October 27). Retrieved December 10, 2020, from

https://www.pbs.org/video/not-done-women-remaking-america-46xqjh/