International Women’s Day by a confused feminist.
There is a bittersweet taste in my mouth at the mention of International Women’s Day. I both relish the opportunity to celebrate women, in any capacity, and shy away from the reminder that it tends to be a certain type of woman who is celebrated, or a certain type of woman afforded the luxury of doing the celebrating. International Women’s day serves as a reminder of the stark, and shameless discrepancy between men and women and the ruthless and seemingly unwavering discrepancy between races of women. It’s hard to feel bonding with a sisterhood that feels self-serving. The hypocrisy often feels deafening. It is thus no surprise that many women have stepped away from mainstream feminism, or‘white feminism,’ and moved towards a feminist stance that resonates as being accepting of every woman: read every body.
However, complaining about mainstream exclusionary feminism is a little 2019. Making a game about feminist hypocrisies is a lot more 2020, so let’s play a game of Faux-Feminism.
In 8 easy steps you can avoid bumper-sticker-styled feminist manifestos (see: “Let’s smash the patriarchy”) and confront how the patriarchy is suffocating us all. The only way to break through is by criticizing each of the ways we are all implicit.
Do you
1) Think Malala is a hero but avoid the girl in your class with a hijab because your atheist views do not mesh with her ‘extremism’?
If you leaned in to this one, it might be a good idea to break out of your narrow world view. We recommend listening to rapper Neelam and checking out artist Hassan Hajjaj’s portraits of some badass Niqabis and Hijabis as part of step one.
'Nikee Rider' by Hassan Hajjaj
Do you
2) Talk about helping disadvantaged women but buy fast fashion?
The cheap clothing that lines the high street is made from the blood, sweat and tears of women. Their poverty has forced them into abominable working conditions, and they are paid below minimum wage. It begs the question: what is the true price of our clothing and what are we willing to trade?
Hold your brands accountable to the sustainable and equitable standards you deserve. To curb climate damaging over-consumption, try a clothes swap or buy vintage.
Do you
3) Care about the environment but work for or support organisations which are directly harming the planet?
People tend to have a myopic view about what individual actions have the greatest consequences. Sometimes it takes a tough re-look to evaluate action-benefit. We know that climate change will disproportionately affect those most vulnerable, and women across the globe. Of course, many people are unable to pick which organisation they work for, being forced into a job due to economic circumstances. However, if you are one of the privileged few with a choice, ensure the company you work for or support has divested from fossil fuels, and is investing in a more sustainable world rather than hindering its development
Do you
4) Break through the glass ceiling solo or do you offer up seats at the table?
Making your way to coveted career positions is a huge accomplishment. However, that position comes with the responsibility to help others who may have not had the same opportunities you have. Lend a hand, that way we all prosper.
Do you
5) Say that you believe all victims, but actually only believe some women?
It is hard to maintain your values when someone is accusing someone you know or love of rape or violence against women. No one is expecting you to be able to turn off your love for that person in an instant, but we are definitely expecting you not to publicly endorse that person. I know you could have ‘never imagined it happening’but here’s what: it happened.
Do you
6) “Not see colour” and consequently ‘celebrate’ discriminated cultures by copying their clothes, hairstyles or speech?
I recognise that cultural appropriation is a divided topic. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, it genuinely perplexes me that anyone would have the arrogance to disregard huge swathes of women openly stating that they find the way you appropriate their culture to be disrespectful and offensive, yet having the gall to do it anyway. Just put the cheongsom down, and step away from the cornrows.
Do you
7) Say you support all women, but find yourself slut shaming your ex’s new girlfriend?
I think many women are guilty of this one, and truly it’s hard not to. We are told by society to compare ourselves to each other from childhood and strip each other down to reveal our own merit. It is no surprise that when an ex-love who you may or may not still have feelings for has moved onto someone new, to compare and contrast yourself at her expense. We do this instinctively for our friends also, as if it is a loyal badge of honour. If you have been the friend who is being consoled at an ex moving on, you know that being told you are prettier, funnier and more intelligent than the new girl does little other than to fuel your deep-seated insecurities. A phrase like ‘No-one can ever be you and that is your power’ accepts that the new girl may be prettier, funnier and more intelligent, but will never have your unique insight, your laugh and your quirky character traits that make you all the more lovable.
Do you
8) Love to visit Africa but contribute to the extraction of its resources, in a Western-facing, self-serving way that strips African economies?
*Puts her iPhone down*. This one is difficult to address on an individual basis, as many of us are probably unaware of how the companies and countries we support are actively suppressing African economies. This keeps the poor poorer, and the rich richer. The amount of money given in aid pales in comparison to the amount of revenue extracted from African countries. Learning that all the women in Africa have less money than the 22 richest men (globally) was startling. Taking an active role in educating ourselves about how we are continuing to steal from Africa, and holding our governments and organisations accountable is step 1. Learning about the relationship between iPhones and violence in the Congo is a good adjunct.
Artwork by Eduardo Relero
There is no feminism without true equality. Many of us live in a bubble surrounded by the same friends, the same city, the same crowd. We rarely come into contact with people who differ greatly to us in terms of perspective or world view, which is true in both liberal and conservative circles.
On this international women’s day, I implore you to critically analyse the ways in which you may have, without being fully conscious, harmed women. It is a united call to arms as we are all complicit. On a holiday which has become a mainstream commodity, it is about pushing ourselves to become better so that we can support all women, in all walks of life and not just those immediately around us. The world is only becoming more interconnected, and so ignorance over how each action may have consequences is becoming less and less acceptable. It doesn’t need to be an act of anxiety but can be an act of pride and love. Taking pride in the power of your actions and remembering W.H Auden’s beautiful words “We must love one another or die”.