the-womanifesto:

I have heard multiple POCs say that white people should shut up a listen whenever someone is telling them that they’re being racist. So, as a general rule, how about we all do just that? If a POC says you just said something racist, resist the urge to get defensive and figure out how you can adjust your life so that you will not be racist again. And racism goes way beyond aggressive acts and derogatory words. Watch out for subtle racism. This is a good reference for that.

It’s especially depressing when I see it come from the feminist community. If you really want to claim that feminism is for everybody, make it safe for everybody. We claim all the time that the third wave is different from second wave and we’re not like the white-centric feminists before us but I still see it way too often. It’s not just on Tumblr either, but on a national level (remember the racist Slutwalk sign?)

I love feminism. I want to truly believe it is for everybody, but it’s just not there yet. It’s tainted with racist and cissexist people. I’m not going to give up on my movement, though, and I hope that one day we can make it be a safe space for any human being. But it starts on an individual level first. Check your privilege and any internalized prejudices you may have and then educate those around you. Don’t just let it slide when someone makes a racist comment. Don’t look away because it’s an uncomfortable subject for you. Confront it.