Why intersectionality is so important in feminism

A great read from Bitch Media on inclusive and intersectional feminism. The current women's rights movement needs to be willing to have more dialogues with individuals who feel marginalized and left out of the movement.

The author writes:

In short, unity is a two-way street. So far, inexperienced white cis feminists have taken up both lanes, assuring that anyone walking a different direction will assimilate into the throng. What's needed now is a movement that can get out of its own way, receiving and internalizing criticism in order to grow. That's the kind of movement I want to be a part of, because it's one that can win—for all of us.

I felt excluded by the pussy hats because what they represented had become the movement's mascot, and it didn't include me. But when I show up to march in protest of the newly reinstated abortion gag order, I'll be happy to wear one, because I recognize the importance of what it represents: a collective effort to liberate many different gender expressions and identities who have been oppressed because of their bodies. It remains to be seen whether I can expect my fellow marchers to return the favor. For the sake of our future and our freedom, I dearly hope I can.

In my opinion, I think that there are a lot of newly aware women who have joined feminist causes, and many of them are white women who are suddenly realizing that sexism effects them too. For many of these women, they are in the early stages of feminist identity development and may be blind to the issues of intersectionality, issues of trans-individuals, issues of women of color. We need to be patient, but not too patient, with bringing our sisters (and brothers; cis, trans, and queer) into the fold of intersectionality. We need to support each other, celebrate our differences, and be willing to converse. We can't move forward without an ongoing dialogue.