What is intersectional feminism and why is it so important?
What is intersectional feminism and why is it so important?
Intersectional feminism is important. It’s vital. It’s important to acknowledge that everyone has their own unique experiences of discrimination and oppression and we must consider everything and anything that can marginalise people – gender, race, class, sexual orientation physical ability etc in a patriarchal society. Intersectional feminism addresses a larger problem than just sexism – the systemic oppression of minorities who are marginalised by society. Sex workers being one of those groups!
Sexist/rigid/oppressive ideas are so embedded in us and our culture that genuine equality is difficult to quantify. From childhood we are catagorised, conditioned and fed ideas through the media, schooling, peers, family, culture – these provide the stories that shape our ideas about our own identities and the world around us. ‘Boys’ and ‘girls’ grow up with different experiences of the world around them, they experience differing expectations, language and tone, opportunities, socialisation and develop their sense of belonging and identity based on the data they are given. It’s all fun and games with our gender reveal parties, or when the girls are enjoying hair braids, dollies and pretty dresses and the boys are loving the rough and tumble, cars and sports. But what does this gender bias and conditioning teach us as developing humans? And what are the toxic undertones that perpetuate an inauthentic and unfair society? At the Ethical Cam Community we want to share some handy discussion points around intersectional feminism as we think it’s incredibly important!
Intersectional feminism is about everyone healing from the gender binary – Feminism is about equality for all regardless of the categories we inherit from society – including but not exclusively gender! Gender bias limits us, it prevents us from having the freedom to find out who we really are outside of the expectations that are put onto us. Therefor anyone who is affected by this gender bias is an ally in our fight for freedom and equality. We are in this together.
Intersectional feminism values our ownership over our own body and personal expression – When we take away the limits to what we are told is acceptable to do with our own bodies then we are free. This includes our creative expression, non gender conforming fashion, sexual expression and anything we choose to do with our bodies including sex work! Sexist censorship, stigma and shame around sensuality and sexual expression are byproducts of the patriarchy. Feminism is not respecting women who choose to cover their bodies and confirm to gender normative roles in society, feminism is just respecting women. ALL women.
The patriarchy is upheld by women who shame other women – We are conditioned into a culture of comparison ,judgement and oppressive social structures which make it very difficult to go against the grain. This coupled with intergenerational trauma is a major factor in the ‘good girl’ effect. On many occasions, in order to be given a seat at the table of opportunity we are expected to conform and we can be drawn into shameful social practises such as shaming other women in order to gain status. Shaming other women is never feminism. Whether that is shaming trans women, gay women, sex workers, it’s never ok and it feeds into the problem we are all up against. We are all on the same team.
Its ok to feel empowered in your femininity – but this should not be the only route to power! – At The ECC we do so much to promote embodied empowerment practises, self love and compassion and reclaiming our sensuality. Yet its important to open a discussion about this sometimes being our only route to our own power! Societies gender bias keeps us out of boardrooms, dismissed in conversations and repressed sexually and emotionally. Wouldn’t it be nice if we were allowed to inhabit our masculine energies so easily without it being a threat to the status quo?
We would love to have an open discussion with our members and the wider community about the importance of intersectional feminism! Please get in touch with us or share any resources or ideas and remember, we are all on the same team in the fight against oppression.
Elle x
