I see people all the time say Feminism needs people like Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. Because they are young and famous and outspoken about being girls. Here’s the thing that’s my problem: I’ve never ever heard a white woman say “Feminism needs black women.” The presence and contributions of black women to feminism is just not important and isn’t seen as valid critiques of either the patriarchy or feminism. Nicki Minaj’s original point was speaking out about how the intersection of her race and her gender has disadvantaged her professionally. First, Taylor Swift made it about her and was like “But we’re friends! Are you mad at me!” and then Miley Cyrus made it about how Nicki was rude or mean. No other women characterized Taylor Swift as rude or mean when she took a stand against Apple Music. A professional woman speaking out about how her career is being dismissed because of her race and gender is labeled mean by two of music’s biggest Young Feminists. Both Taylor Swift and Miley can take a seat. Did anyone see Rebel Wilson’s bit using police brutality as an excuse to wear a stripper costume and comparing police brutality to being disappointed at your stripper? That’s Young White Feminism failing black women. Miley Cyrus loves to benefit financially from the bodies of black women and then cast them aside when she’s done with them. She loves to use black men as props to suggest their sexual danger to her as a white women then cast them aside when she’s done with them. Amber Rose and Blacc Chyna wore dresses last night with the comments that get thrown at them “Slut” “Whore” “Gold Digger” and no applause from Young White Feminists. Where is the statement saying “Feminism Needs Amber Rose”? Now imagine if Miley did something like that? Or Taylor? Remember when Beyonce took a break to raise her baby and people gave her shit for that or changing her name to include Jay-Z’s last name? Or when Michelle Obama talked about raising her children and loving to be a mother? And the shit she got?–Without white women realizing that for black women the choice to be a mother and devoted wife is usually not possible because of financial reasons and historically, the separation of black families and the ability and desire to do so is a feminist act reclaiming a female identity once denied to them? Where is Feminism saying “We need black mothers!!”? Miley isn’t a feminist because her feminism only benefits herself and her sexual liberation came at the expense of black women’s dignities and because she tone polices black women speaking about their oppression. Taylor Swift isn’t a feminist because she only promotes young white rich women and because she uses black women as props and puts on a black voice and uses black language as a joke and because she doesn’t view the contributions of a black woman speaking about her professional struggles as valid but instead as personal complaints or attacks. Both women read “Angry Black Woman” in what Nicki says. Feminism needs to understand and dismantle this trope so that the voices of black women and their expression of emotion - anger included - is seen as worthwhile. They wanted NIcki to be and Angry Black Woman but Miley damn near shit herself when she got it in person. In conclusion: Fuck Miley Cyrus.
Ali Barthwell (via chinolajuice)
For all of you who have feelings about the ‘What’s good?’ callout, feel free to reblog THIS instead.
(via daji-ruhu)
