by Kemi Seriki
On January 20th, 2018, I went to the Women’s March in NYC without affiliation with any group. I just went on my own as a woman who is standing up against the patriarchal social system in America and worldwide. There were different groups at the rally, including the Me Too Movement, Amnesty International, YWCA, LGBT, Rise and Resist, and many more. Since I did not go with a particular group, I marched down with different organizations, and I asked if I can carry their plaque. The march drew tens and thousands of people, mostly women demanding to protect women’s rights, including equal pay, protection of women’s reproductive rights, LGBT issues, and women’s protection against sexual assault. There were many creative and colorful signs displayed and knitted pussyhats worn by women to make a statement. Even though the march was meant to be inclusive, only a few women of color at the rally.
Brief History of Women Movement
Historically, the women’s movement began in 1790, and it comprises of three waves. The first wave was in 1790 and 1920. During these times, the campaign was dominated by white women who, at that time, were overtly racist towards people of color. The challenges faced by women of color were not considered or worth the focal point of discussion. In the 1850s, there was a division among those involved on whether to campaign for the abolition movement to emancipate slavery, end segregation and racial discrimination, or focus on women’s rights. On May 29th, 1851, Sojourner Truth delivered her famous speech “Ain’t I A Woman” during the Women’s Convention in Akron, Ohio, to speak openly about the injustice women of color face.
The second wave of the feminist movement began in 1950 when the movement split into two. One group focused on race and inequality, and the other group, dominated by white women, concentrate on the original plan. While white women formed a collation to outlaw alcoholic beverages which they view male drunkenness as detrimental to family structure, women of color established their club, which focuses on civil right principles to secure education in the community of color, expose the injustice of lynching, and fight for equality for a future generation. Tired of being pushed to the sideline, in 1968 black feminist organization was formed with the logo “Sisterhood is Powerful” to address racism and gender discrimination faced by women of color. Out of the black feminist movement, Womanist was born. In 1983, Alice Walker coined Womanism to embrace a woman’s wholeness, which is not only based on her gender and class but the cultural custom that formulates her existence.
Dialogue with a Marcher
After the march, I headed to the nearest McDonald’s restaurant to use the bathroom. There was a long wait, and almost everyone standing in line came from the rally. While waiting, women were reflecting on the rally and their observations. A white woman standing behind me gestured in my direction, and she inquired if she could ask me a question. She wanted to know why a few women of color came to the rally. I was puzzled by such question, and I could not understand why I have been initiated to speak for other women of color who decided not to come to the rally. In order words, I would be a spokesperson in “explaining Blackness.” A few minutes before my bathroom time, I thought about how best to explain my view of why many women of color may have decided not to come to the rally.
I briefly talked about the history of the women’s movement, which white women dominated during the early times. At that time, women of color were dealing with a more daunting issue than just gender inequality. I further explained that without the civil rights campaign in the 1960s, the women’s movement would not have advanced in gaining ground on economic and gender equality. For verification, I referenced Gloria Steinem, the social, political feminist activist in the 1960’s and 1970’s. To bring it close to home, I asked her if she is a mother of a male child, which I felt that we might have in common. She said that she has a son in college, and at that moment, there is a connection of motherhood, which I told her that I am also a mother of an adult black male. I asked if she ever worries about her son’s safety anytime he goes outside that, he may be killed or brutalized by the police or experience racial profiling or face everyday racism experienced by people of color. She acknowledged the issues raised, and she said: “Yeah, it’s true.” At that time, it was my turn to use the bathroom, and the conversation ended. As I headed to my car to go home, I saw some white women with signs “Black Life Matters.” I thought to myself. It is uplifting seeing these women acknowledging that diversity is needed and “Black Life Matters.”
Feminism with Inclusivity
The United States population is diverse racially and ethnically, which is interrelated with gender, race, class, religious value, cultural nationality, and immigration. Within these various groups comes with different challenges. For example, African American woman definition of feminism is beyond gender inequality but include race and class. Gender struggle for immigrant women is distinct according to cultural and religious belief systems from the country of origin and how women are valued in such a society. An immigrant woman from a country in Africa may face oppression because of her gender and race or just being an immigrant. Still, she may also battle with cultural beliefs that are oppressive towards women and highly promote patriarchy. For the feminist movement to survive, it must be inclusive to address the broader issues beyond the original mission.
