The Segregation of Feminism
Although our country has been considered desegregated for years, many feminist groups of color are unable to work with white feminists. The experiences of people of color and white people are vastly different, and this causes a variation in beliefs and values; these differences make it hard to for women of color to relate to white feminist ideals.
Feminists of color had a late start to the feminist movement because they had to deal with segregation first. Women of color were not only oppressed because of their gender, they were also oppressed because of their skin color. Women of color worked to desegregate while the feminist movement was building. According to Winefred Breines feminist of color questioned white feminists for worrying solely about gender equality, when people of color were in danger during the civil rights movement.
Women of color were not a the forefront of feminism because they were preoccupied with other issues regarding inequality. To this day women of color are not treated completely equal,and our society still works in the favor of the majority. According to Mary Ann Clawson a major reason that feminists of color are unable to work with white feminist is privilege. Privilege is an uncomfortable subject to talk about, so many people ignore it. When privilege is ignored the problem only continues to grow.
Feminists of color are fighting for rights that white feminist have had for years. Because of racial inequality white feminists and feminists of color find it hard to relate to each other. White feminists are often unaware of their privilege and this causes an even greater divide. Feminists of color and white feminists are being further separated by their differences, instead of using them to create dialog.