Katie Braman

Professor Moore
WMGST 399 - Reflection #1
February 20, 2020

Intersectional Feminism

When Sojourner Truth, an African American abolitionist and women’s right activist said,

“life is a hard battle anyway, and if we laugh and sing a little as we fight the good fight of

freedom, it makes it all go easier,” I think she was acknowledging that in the battles we

encounter in life, we need to lighten up and not take things too seriously at times because in the

end it will be okay. Black Feminist/Activist Thought is the capstone seminar for my second

major, Women’s and Gender Studies. The way I hope to approach the course is to try to

synthesize my thoughts, values, and beliefs about feminism with the ideas of the scholars,

activists, and writers who are paving the path of the movement for others. To understand the

truths about feminism as well as to embrace the differences that shape my perspectives will

allow me to strengthen my own identity and where I fit in the world. As someone who possesses

little knowledge about black or any other feminist thought and rhetoric, I plan to approach the

readings and discussions with an open mind, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn from

others. While at this point in my life, I do not consider myself an activist about any particular

topic or cause, I want to find my voice within the realm of feminism that seeks equality for all

women.
 Watching Roxane Gay’s TED Talk, “Confessions of a Bad Feminist”, I connected with

many of the messages she shared. For example, at the beginning when she laid out the

foundation of feminist truths, I felt energized by her words:

● Women are equal to men

● Women deserve equal pay for equal work
● Women have the right to move through the world as we choose
● Women should be free from harassment or violence
● Women have the right to easy, affordable access to healthcare
● Women have the right to be respected

These principles seem to be common sense, yet there are women all over the world who struggle

to secure these basic rights. Supporting these issues should be a no-brainer for people, but

unfortunately they are not. Therefore, the struggle continues. To add to her message in a way that

moved me even further, Gay said,

There's more. When we talk about the needs of women, we have to consider

the other identities we inhabit. We are not just women. We are people with

different bodies, gender expressions, faiths, sexualities, class backgrounds,

abilities, and so much more. We need to take into account these differences

and how they affect us, as much as we account for what we have in common.

Without this kind of inclusion, our feminism is nothing.

For me, this statement was the most powerful declaration she made in her TED Talk. In essence,

we are all working to achieve the same basic understanding of feminism while respecting the

notion that WE ARE DIFFERENT! Gay’s ideology blends well with Kimberle Crenshaw’s

framework of intersectional feminism by embracing the notion a woman’s identity “interesects”

with other identities to create combinations of discrimination. In my opinion, the lack of

tolerance, acceptance and respect is at the core of how we struggle to mesh together a unified

thought and platform on feminism. The idea of intersectionality reminds me of a country music

song by Kenny Chesney, entitled ​Get Along​ and it includes lyrics like “we have a long, long way

to go, we ain’t perfect but we try, always give love the upper hand, can’t we all get along?” This

catchy tune puts out a simple message that society seems to struggle with. . . getting along with

one another.

A final point in her TED Talk, Gay embodies inclusive feminism. I like the idea that we

need to support women’s choices. Life is hard and as women, we need each other regardless of

our differences. No matter what race, sexual preference, class, ability, or gender expression,

women should be celebrated for who they are and the decisions they make. In order to do this

successfully, women need to be brave and show courage by supporting other women and NOT

supporting the vices in our culture. Afterall, the end goal is to achieve equality. Throughout the
semester, I hope to find my own voice on the topic of feminism that I will carry with me well

beyond my St. Olaf experience.