My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: October 5, 2021
The Trouble With White Women: A Counterhistory of Feminism is an important read for anyone interested in the history of feminism.
Feminism vs. Intersectional Feminism
Kyla Schuller traces the beginnings of white feminism along with its counterhistory of intersectional feminism, something which has been around for as long as white feminism. Each chapter examines a white feminist, as well as an intersectional feminist. Schuller begins with the original white feminist Elizabeth Cady Stanton and goes all the way to Sheryl Sandberg. Some intersectional feminists discussed are Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, a leading abolitionist-feminist, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, politician and activist.
Schuller explains how white feminism tends to prioritize white women’s needs and concerns, while neglecting the struggles that women of colour face. While white feminism is self-serving, intersectional feminism supports racial, economic, disability, and sexual justice, in addition to gender justice.
Thoughts on The Trouble with White Women
White feminism is not something that needs to be made more inclusive, but rather it needs to be trashed and begun anew.
I am a huge fan of AOC, but before reading this, I did not consider how much pressure she is under to represent her constituents around the clock, to fight for equality, and to look good while doing it all. It’s a lot for just one person.
For regular reading updates, see Goodreads.
Thank you to Bold Type Books/ Perseus Books for providing me with an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.