Why Feminism Must Discuss the Intersection of Race and Gender

Editor’s Note: While we at Everyday Feminism think that this spoken word performance is brilliant in its deconstruction of exclusionary feminism, we do want to note the use of the word “crutch” to denote something used for support, which is ableist in nature. For more information on ableist language and alternatives, check out this article.

In 2011, Flavia Dzodan succinctly summarized responses to white feminism with this quip: “My feminism will be intersectional, or it will be bullshit.”

And it’s true.

Feminism must be mindful of all struggles of inequality — even when it makes white feminists uncomfortable having their white privilege pointed out.

Check out this spoken word poem by four feminists showing why feminism must be intersectional around race and gender.

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This poem was performed at Brave New Voices, a poetry festival and international network of organizations committed to the voices of the next generation. It was created by Youth Speaks and was the first youth-centered poetry slam in the nation. Follow Youth Speaks on Twitter @youthspeaks.

The performers are Ashia Ajani, Abby Friesen-Johnson, Toluwanimi Obiwole, and Alexis Rain Vigil.