The notion of feminism is nearly two centuries old. Simply put, feminism is about taking action against structures and beliefs that oppress women and discriminate based on gender. This fight and the name in itself, has faced criticism for being one-sided. Feminism is blamed for promoting and protecting women at the cost of men and other movements. The intersectional feminist would disagree. 

Feminism is not about the supremacy of women. It’s about equity and undoing centuries of marginalization. For feminist success, understanding how systems of inequalities are entrenched and feed off each other is critical. In a complicated world, disadvantages and marginalization are not simple because identity has layers. Each trait that you use to describe yourself is part of a large system that crosses over to create a web of society that is highly stratified. 

Intersectional Feminism: What Does It Mean? 

Coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, intersectional feminism recognizes this overlapping nature of identities and oppression. All inequalities are not made equal, and hence an intersectional feminist acknowledges that different factors such as race, caste, sexuality, and economic status intersect with gender to create more disadvantages for some people than others.

Intersectional feminism talks about intersecting circles of discrimination. The concept gained fire during the 1960s or the second wave of feminism. While the first wave was largely restricted to legal rights for white women, the second wave called for intersectionality. Different female groups were formed to talk about their experiences which were strikingly different due to intersectional identity. The period also gave rise to some excellent literature, among those Bell Hook’s famous Ain’t I a Woman?

Intersectionality introduces the concept of double disadvantage. For example, a black woman is discriminated against both for her race and her gender. Similarly, a “lower” caste man in India and an “upper caste” woman both face discrimination, albeit differently. Hence they understand each other because of the concept of minority bonds—differently marginalized groups join together to fight structural inequalities.

Because of minority bonds, one marginalized group empathizes with another, having had similar experiences. So, for intersectional feminists, a natural extension of rights for women is rights for all. Historically, the feminist movement has intersected with other civil movements. They have borrowed from and inspired other struggles throughout the world.

Feminism and Allyship 

Extending rights to all genders is not limited to the empowerment of heterosexual women. Intersectional feminism advocates for the equality of all genders, not just the binaries. Historically, the first pride parade in 1970 coincided with the peak of second-wave feminism. One spark led to another, leading to the second wave of feminism gaining solidarity and inspiring other movements, including black feminism and the LGBTQIA+ movement. 

When feminism advocates that women are made and not born (Simone De Beauvoir), they further trans-rights. When gender roles are understood as social constructs rather than biological facts, opportunities broaden for all individuals. Discrimination against women and discrimination based on gender and sexuality are intertwined, and hence speaking for one should be speaking for all. Heterosexual ciswomen are in a position of privilege in areas that exclude LGBTQIA+ individuals. It is hence a responsibility to use their privilege to advocate for equality. 

This advocacy can be in the form of using non-gendered pronouns, introducing yourself with pronouns, or other acts of allyship.

Feminism and Marxism

Marxist feminism is another type of feminism that emerged in the 1900s. Feminists and Marxists both speak against institutions created to oppress particular sections of society. Marxist feminists hence analyze how capitalism and patriarchy sustain each other. 

Traditionally, lack of access to resources and profit hoarding have been used to cripple women’s independence. Before 1974, women weren’t even allowed to have individual bank accounts or credit cards. Betty Friedan, in her book Feminine Mystique, describes in detail how the ‘empowered housewife’ image was created to keep women at home. Why? So that companies could continue selling them products through sexual sell.

Feminists and Marxists are hence complimentary theorists about structural inequalities and how new systems are needed to create an equal world.

Feminism Vs Men?

No. Feminism is not against men. Feminism is about undoing the historical wrongs and creating an equal playing field for all. In fact, male feminists are crucial to the movement.

Male feminism in history has been important in the journey of empowerment. Examples include 19th-century reformers in India fighting against Sati and for girl education. Or Charles Fourier coining the term feminism in 1837.

Intersectional feminists and male feminists realize that patriarchy adversely affects men. It limits their role to a stereotype and prohibits opportunities for them as well. Hence, male feminism is a natural and important part of the fight for equality.

Conclusion

Feminism is not just a movement but a philosophy for life. It is for all and helps all groups. Because of the interconnected nature of inequalities, when one movement makes progress, it cascades into creating change in another. It's time we all bond together in our lived experiences, support each other, and make the ideals of feminism a reality.