We Need to Talk About White Feminism—Part II
Last month, we discussed why it’s important to talk about white feminism, and—more specifically—why it is harmful not to talk about it. (If you feel confused or defensive after reading this, make sure to check the part I of this series.) Today, let’s focus on what white feminism looks like, so you get savvy at spotting it.
White feminism has a limited idea about what feminist issues are
Whenever women of color talk about the issues that are more prevalent in their communities (e.g., police brutality, Black maternal death rates, attacks and murder of trans women, racism, voting suppression) white feminists will say that these are race problems, not gender problems. These issues, they argue, are outside of the scope of the feminist movement. So, if you ever hear a feminist say something along the lines of “we’re not talking about (insert any issue that pertains to women of color, queer, low-income or immigrant women), we’re actually talking about gender.” or “talking about this issue is divisive” well, chances are you are dealing with some form of white feminism.
Corporate feminism
Corporate feminism means demanding that a few women achieve positions of power to “break the glass ceiling,” while ignoring the systemic unequal structures that further block low-income women or women of color from these leadership roles. This type of feminism is satisfied with a world where there are more women CEOs and political leaders, yet it is comfortable with other current inequities.
For example, corporate feminism focuses on closing the wage gap between men and women, while it ignores how Latina and Black women make significantly less than white women in the first place. As Mikki Kendall, the author of the book Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women that a Movement Forgot, said:
“It's great to want to be a CEO or to be president, but you should also probably make sure that your neighbors have enough food to eat and their homes are safe.”
Ignoring Stereotypes
Toni Morrison made a very emblematic observation in this 1971 New York Times article. She noticed how Jim Crow signs for white women were designated “White Ladies,” while the signs for Black women read “Colored Women.” Morrison highlighted how the word ‘lady’ implied “a quality softness, helplessness and modesty” while ‘women’ implied that black women were: “unworthy of respect because they were tough, capable, independent and immodest.” Language matters, and this language really exemplifies how womanhood is seen differently according to race.
White feminism fails to deal with this narrative or even buys into it to this day. This is particularly problematic because the stereotypical image of white women’s ‘purity’ is fundamental in the perpetuation of racist stereotypes that depict Black men as predators and dangerous. In this narrative, Black men are the ultimate threat to a supposed white lady’s victimhood, vulnerability and purity--and this discriminatory image has been used as a justification for racial profiling.
An example of this happened this year on Memorial day in Central Park, when Amy Cooper tried to intimidate Christian Cooper, a bird watcher who requested her to leash her dog. She threatened to call the police saying that there was, in her own words, an African American man threatening her life. Basically, she was weaponizing the racial stereotype against Mr. Cooper.
An intersectional feminist approach calls out this narrative and harmful behavior, while a white feminism approach ignores it and sees it as a race problem, one that is isolated from women’s issues.
White feminism fails to call-out white supremacy
It is vastly documented how women of color have historically called out racism in the mainstream feminist movement. And it is equally documented how a great number of white feminists were unwilling to call out white women when they supported exclusionary narratives in the movement and beyond (make sure to read the book This Bridge Called My Back or the The Combahee River Collective Statement to get a better taste of this).
A white feminist approach ignores the historical relationship that white women have with white supremacy. For example, some leaders in white supremacist organizations were women (e.g., WKKK), many in the movement against school desegregation were women, confederate statues were often erected by women (most notably through the United Daughters of the Confederacy.) and even some feminist leaders supported eugenics. (Also, make sure to check our article about the 19th amendment to learn more about how white supremacy played out even in the suffrage movement.)
But this is not something we can only read in history books. More recently, in 2020, several female business founders step downstep down after being accused of supporting toxic workplaces for people of color they employed (oh, hi there corporate feminism). So, just because someone is a woman, it does not mean that they can’t perpetuate oppression. Again, white feminism ignores that.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. A few other examples of white feminism practices include: Carceral feminism (when feminists exclusively advocate for increased policing, prosecution, and imprisonment to create justice for women, as if the justice system worked equally for all of us and police violence wasn’t an issue), tone policing (when white feminists try to silence the voices of women of color by labeling them aggressive or angry), the white savior complex (when feminists think they are more rational and civilized than other women and should “free” other groups of women.), cultural appropriation, the whitewashing of the contributions of people of color in feminism among others.
It goes without saying that all of the practices described are anti-feminist. Let’s be vigilant to spot, avoid, and call out all of these exclusionary approaches.
And stay tuned. Next month, we will discuss intersectionality. See you soon to talk about solutions!
We Need to Talk About White Feminism—Part I
If you identify as feminist, you probably have come across the term “white feminism.” It’s all around social media, in women’s marches, protests and sometimes even in our (nowadays socially distanced, I hope) social life. But do you really know what white feminism means? Can you spot it when it’s in action? More importantly, can you see how it affects your own actions and views about issues of gender? To help you answer some of these questions, we are launching a 3-part series where we will break down this term. We believe that it is only by understanding the issues related to the exclusionary nature of white feminism that we can fully embrace a more inclusive and intersectional approach. This series is particularly important for white intersectional feminists, who should take the lead on fixing the problems we will be talking about--it is not the responsibility of women of color to do this work.
Stay tuned and let’s dive in!
What Is White feminism?
Simply put, white feminism is a branch of feminism that exclusively looks at the experiences of white, straight, cisgender, able-bodied, middle- and upper-class women. In other words, it only cares about women who have most of the privileges that society can offer—besides, of course, being a woman. Because it exclusively focuses on this demographic, white feminism inaccurately universalizes womanhood, assuming that the white-normative aspirations particular to this group of women reflect all women’s aspirations. This is extremely harmful, because by making white, cis (insert the whole list here) the default, white feminism totally marginalizes everyone else’s concerns. But before we go into more detail, let’s first get some misconceptions out of the way:
Isn’t talking about white feminism divisive?
No, quite the opposite. The only way to actually unite all women is to acknowledge the vast diversity in our experiences and educate ourselves on how race, class, sexuality, nationality and other identities intersect with gender. But white feminism does not allow the space to do that. The main reason why some people feel that critiquing white feminism divides us is because they probably had a false sense of unity in the first place.
If we don’t see how white feminism operates, chances are it is because we are currently operating within its lenses and are—inadvertently or not—overlooking a whole range of experiences within gender. The only way to solve this, is by acknowledging how white feminism influenced our perceptions on gender. We are already divided in many ways. Not talking about this division will not magically make us come together; it will just make privileged women more comfortable.
Are all ‘feminists who are white’ white feminists?
Of course not. White feminism is an ideology, not a race. If you are white, there is no need to feel defensive when anyone calls out white feminism. They are not talking about the color of your skin; they are talking about a type of activism. Yes, most (but not all) white feminists are white. But that’s because it’s easier to assume—and be comfortable with—the idea that the experiences of white women are universal when you are one. But nobody is saying that there is some inherent quality to being “white” that makes white women bad feminists. Critiquing white feminism is never about silencing white women or rejecting white women’s experiences. It’s about supporting all voices in the movement.
Are all white feminists racist?
To answer this question, we need to understand the difference between impact and intent. Beverly Tatum brilliantly explained this difference in her book Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?. According to her, the ongoing cycle of racism is “like a moving walkway at the airport.” People walking on the conveyor belt, in this analogy, represent actively racist individuals, deliberately promoting and identifying with the direction of white supremacy.
Many others, however, are not actively trying to move in the direction of racism (or white feminism) and are simply standing in the moving walkway. Just by being bystanders, however, they are still moving towards the same destination as those who are actively racists. That is, their intent is different from their impact, because they are still reinforcing a lot of racist beliefs even if they are not actively being racists. A lot of white feminists fall into this group. They don’t consciously understand that they are complicit in the oppression of others by leaving white feminism unquestioned and merely standing still.
There is a third type of person, however. The type of person every feminist should aim to become. They are those who recognize the motion of the conveyor belt and choose to walk in the opposite direction. As Tatum explains, this type of person: “see the active racists ahead of them, and choose to turn around, unwilling to go in the same destination as the White supremacists. But unless they are walking actively in the opposite direction at a speed faster than the conveyor belt—unless they are actively anti-racist—they will find themselves carried along with the others.” Doing this requires more work, but it is the only way to create an actually inclusive feminism.
To become this type of feminist, the first step we all need to take is to educate ourselves on how white supremacy operates in the women’s movement. It’s only by recognizing the direction of the conveyor belt, that we can turn around. That’s why conversations about white feminism are so important, it helps bystanders to recognize the impact of their inaction, and how white feminism is often the “default.” Remember, the impact of feminism comes from our actions, not our intentions. See you “in a couple of weeks,” when we will go into more detail about what white feminism looks like today.
Feeling Like A Fraud? Let’s Talk About Imposter Syndrome
Have you ever felt like a fraud? Thoughts like you don't know why you got that job or you don't understand why people like your work? The truth is nobody is 100% confident all the time but, how can you tell the difference between the standard "butterflies in your stomach” from your brain screwing you over? It has a name: it is called the Imposter Syndrome. It's a phenomenon that occurs with high achieving individuals, mostly women. People who experience this syndrome tend to believe they are a fraud or that they are fooling others. They're convinced that they are faking their way to their accomplishments, and they believe people will find out about them eventually.
It is estimated that 70% of the population has it, myself included. In college, whenever I got compliments, or even when I get a promotion at work, I would ask "why". Why are these people saying I'm smart? Why do they want to give me a promotion? I would even run away from opportunities because I didn't believe I was worth it, I thought "they will find out I'm a fraud sooner or later.” It turns out I was wrong, not them. My past is filled with opportunities life gave me and I dismissed them because I never felt I was good enough, because I never believed in myself.
The idea for this article came from a chat with a friend. She told me she was diagnosed with this syndrome after seeking help for her anxiety. She would faint or have stomach aches every time she had to go to a job interview, or any other time she needed approval from others. Discovering her condition and getting treatment was "life changing," she said. And that's how I learned about the syndrome, and how important it is for all of us to be aware of it.
The symptoms may vary, but the most common ones are negative self-talk and constant feelings of self-doubt. That's how it starts, the syndrome strikes in you a cycle of self-sabotage, and it is serious enough to trigger psychosomatic signs in those who have it, like panic attacks for example.
If you struggle with Imposter Syndrome, you probably credit your achievements to "luck" constantly, rather than give the credit to yourself and your hard work. As the name of the syndrome itself, you feel like you are an imposter, you don't believe you are capable of those achievements, or you believe you don't deserve recognition.
Here are a few more signs to pay attention to:
1 - You have difficulty accepting compliments (not even "You're beautiful");
2 - You feel a compulsion to be the best;
3 - The fear of failure can paralyze you (red flag!);
4 - You're convinced you're not enough - and this speech goes on and on inside of your head.
Another friend of mine agreed to share a little about her own experience, and how she felt when she found out about the Imposter Syndrome:
“I didn't know I was suffering from Imposter Syndrome. Actually, I didn't even know it existed. I am very communicative, and I was always very convincing. Usually, everyone around me would get influenced by my ideas and suggestions. But instead of being proud of myself, I thought they were enchanted by my silly and fun way of speaking. I thought I was lucky.
"I'm lucky. That's why I got this job.
But I shouldn't be here..."
"I'm not as good as they think."I’d have never thought that I have been sabotaging myself for so long. Being aware of the syndrome made me pay closer attention to my behavior in a way I’ve never had before. And that was when I realized that if I didn't prove to myself that I was capable, I’d keep on losing opportunities, not appreciating recognition, and worse than that, I’d be losing my self-confidence more and more over time.”
To overcome Imposter Syndrome is not easy, but it's possible and necessary in order to own your future and be successful. So here goes a few tips:
Identify it
If you are experiencing these feelings, it's ok. Apparently, most high achievers are. So start recognizing them, and remember that it is just a condition, not a life sentence.
Share
We are never alone (especially in this case). By sharing your experience, you might be surprised by the amount of support you can get from people who either are currently in the same situation as you are or who have been there before.
Reaffirmation
Let's replace these negative thoughts with empowering ones. Shall we? You are capable, you are smart, and you are good at what you do. It is crucial though to be kind to yourself and to understand that you are unique, and the world needs your skills!
Look for Help
Look for expert help - either support groups, a therapist, or a coach, but it is extremely important that you find help and don't allow this condition to take over your life!
~ Accept your accomplishments, don't fear failure, and embrace opportunities.
Celebrating the Centennial of Women’s Right to Vote: Three Facts to Keep in Mind
100 years ago tomorrow, Tennessee became the 36th and final state needed to ratify the 19th amendment as law, hence guaranteeing women's constitutional right to vote. As much as it is tempting to just focus on celebrating the suffragettes’ accomplishments and bravery, we also need to talk about some of the ugly truths behind this centennial milestone. That’s because ignoring the history that we don’t like should not be an option. To understand and address our current issues, we need to first acknowledge the full history of previous generations, which includes their shortcomings. As we kick off this anniversary, I gathered 3 uncomfortable—yet crucial—facts for all of us women (especially white) to reflect on.
1. The 19th Amendment Did Not, in Practice, Grant Access to The Ballot Box to All Women
The idea that after 1920 all women could vote in the U.S. is a myth. In practice, the 19th amendment protected mostly white, middle- and upper-class women. Yes, the 19th amendment blocked all states from denying voting rights based on gender, which—in theory—should have been enough to guarantee all women’s right to vote. But because the 19th did not say anything about race, it didn’t guarantee much for women of color.
Millions of women — especially black women in the Jim Crow South— could not vote because of poll taxes and “literacy tests” that were used to purposely disenfranchise them. In Virginia, for example, a college-educated black woman named Susie W. Fountain was stopped from voting because she “failed” a sham literacy test that consisted of a blank piece of paper. Fountain is only one of the countless cases of voter suppression against black women post-19th amendment.
It took about 45 more years for women of color—through the Voting Rights Act, which outlawed discriminatory voting practices—to finally enjoy their constitutional right to vote. It’s vital to remember that to this day voting suppression persists, most notably through voter ID requirements and the placing of polling booths in areas that are difficult to access for marginalized communities.
2. Racism and White Feminism Influenced the Suffrage Movement in Many Ways
White suffragists often excluded people of color from the movement. In many suffrage marches, black women were forced to the back of the line –when they were included at all. No black women attended the famously celebrated Seneca Falls convention. Moreover, after the passage of the 15th amendment, which gave black men the right to vote, some well-known white suffragettes began using racist rhetoric to push for women’s right to vote. Although some suffragists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony opposed slavery before the civil war, their alliance with abolitionists deteriorated after black men got the vote before white women. Then, some white suffragettes began to argue that white women were more qualified to vote than Black men and at times even made alliances with opponents of Black suffrage.
The mainstream suffrage movement, often deliberately, undermined or blatantly dismissed the voices of women of color. When the black suffragist Mary Church Terrell, for example, requested the movement to address women of color‘s concerns, some white feminists claimed that black women’s disenfranchisement was a race problem — not a gender problem. And to this day, a branch of feminism that centers on the experiences of privileged women and ignores intersecting issues of race persists. Stay tuned to our blog in the next few weeks to learn more about “white feminism,” and how it endures to this day.
3. History Books Focus on White Suffragists, But Women of Color Were Central in the Women’s Suffrage Movement
Most of us think of the names of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony when we think about the 19th, but there is a vast list of suffragettes of color that were fundamental to the movement, from whom we unfortunately hear less about. We need to celebrate these women, who—despite the extra barriers that they faced—vigorously fought for our right to vote.
For example, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, who was a visionary intellectual in the fight for women’s rights and in a meeting of the American Equal Rights Association in 1866, she gave a groundbreaking speech on what we today call intersectionality. She was an acclaimed speaker and shared stages with activists such as Frederick Douglass and Lucretia Mo. Another widely respected women’s suffrage activist and abolitionist was Sarah Parker Remond, she was a member of the American Equal Rights Association, and voraciously toured the northeast to support and preach about women’s voting rights.
Other important figures were Ida B. Wells, co-founder of the NAACP, who used her journalism to highlight racist issues in the South. Adelina (Nina) Otero-Warren, a central figure that helped pass the 19th Amendment in New Mexico and helped spread the word about the suffrage movement in Spanish. Marie Louise Bottineau Baldwin, who focused her activism on the rights of Native American women. Dr. Mabel Ping-Hua Lee, an academic who relentlessly advocated for women’s right to vote, but probably never voted because of her status as a Chinese immigrant. The list goes on and on.
As We Celebrate the Centennial of the 19th, Let’s Challenge Any Type of Exclusionary Narrative
Let’s fully acknowledge this history when we celebrate this centennial. The work of women of color, who highlighted how racism, sexism, and all forms of discriminations are bound together was vital and continues to be vital today. Intersectional feminism—a feminism that acknowledges the interconnected nature of these issues—is the only type of women’s movement that can truly benefit us all. But to achieve it, we need to face the imperfect parts of our history and appreciate the work of the women who came before us.
A feminism that ignores the role that white supremacy has historically played is, by definition, a white supremacist feminism. History isn’t over—we are all collectively still writing it—and it is up to us to make sure that the women’s movement becomes a fight for all women and by all women. These suffragists of color refused to accept a limited white-centered gaze on gender issues—and so should all of us. Happy 19th Amendment anniversary!
Author’s note: I’m a white-passing Brazilian woman living in the U.S., and the issues raised in this article are intended to be focused on non-white voices. Please, seek out more information from women of color. Here are some books suggestions:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/313110.This_Bridge_Called_My_Back
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32809732-daughters-of-a-nation
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/353598.Black_Feminist_Thought
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32951.Sister_Outsider
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/635635.Women_Race_Class
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51378.Feminist_Theory
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36687229-hood-feminism
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6792458-the-new-jim-crow
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35099718-so-you-want-to-talk-about-race
‘Tampon Tax’: What It Is and Why You Should Care
What does Viagra, Chapstick, donuts and dandruff shampoo all have in common? They are all exempt from sales tax in most U.S. states because they are considered basic necessities. What’s missing from that list? Menstrual products. Periods are a part of the lives of roughly half of the population on the planet, they pretty much make the reproduction of human life possible – and yet, 33 states still tax menstrual products as luxury items.
This sales tax—usually called the ‘tampon tax’—definitely deserves our attention. Put simply, tampon tax means the revenue earned from the value added tax charged on menstrual products. But does this mean that there is a specific tax on tampons? No, it doesn’t.
Sales taxes are charged on all “tangible personal property,” and menstrual products are included in this group. But the thing is, states also have the authority to make sales tax exemptions for products deemed “basic necessities,” usually groceries, certain types of foods, drugs (yes, you can include Viagra here), and even clothes in a few states. So, when a state sales tax is imposed on menstrual products, it essentially means that these products are being categorized as ‘luxury items.’
I know…Apologies for stating the obvious, but tampons, pads, cups and other menstrual products are definitely not luxury items. These products are vital on a monthly basis for
all menstruating people. The tampon tax is an extra financial burden that women, non-binary and transgender people must bear on top of the cost of already expensive and biologically necessary items. As all menstruating people well know, these items are absolutely needed for us to go to school, to work, to socialize—to basically be able to participate in public life.
But Is it Really a Big Deal?
To a person with a steady income or with accumulated wealth, spending a few extra dollars on tampons or pads every year might not sound like a huge deal. But for women with a lower socioeconomic status, tampon prices can be a big part of their income. In fact, forty percent of non-elderly U.S. adults had difficulty meeting a basic need like food, housing or health care in 2018, according to a research conducted by the Urban Institute. For the menstruating people in this group, the tampon tax has a real impact. With nearly 14 percent of girls and women living below the poverty line in the U.S., the price for essential menstrual products is no small issue.
But to fully understand the relevance of the tampon tax on menstruating people’s lives, we need to first understand what period poverty means. According to the Vision and Voice of Women in Medicine (AMWA), "period poverty refers to the inadequate access to menstrual hygiene tools and education, including but not limited to sanitary products, washing facilities, and waste management." Period poverty risks social isolation and is a health issue. It increases the chance of infection due to the use of unhygienic alternatives, for example toilet paper, newspaper or even socks instead of proper menstrual products.
You might be surprised to know that in the U.S., the richest country on earth, period
poverty is a thing. In fact, 1 in 4 Women struggled to purchase period products in 2017 due to lack of income, according to the National Diaper Bank Network. 1 in 5 teens have struggled at some point to afford period products and 84% of American teens have either missed or know someone who has missed school due to period poverty, according to a research commissioned by Thinx & PERIOD.
On top of the income burden, people with uteruses can’t even get period products through government assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid. Also, pads and tampons are one of the most-requested items in shelters and food banks, as reported by Bloomberg. So, yes, state sales taxes on these products are definitely a big deal.
So, Why Can’t We Get Rid of the ‘Tampon Tax?’
Because of the way that the tax system works in the U.S, there can’t be a national legislation for
sales taxes; hence change needs to occur at the state level. And because each year states generate millions in revenue from the tampon tax, abolishing it is obviously not easy.
The loss of revenue is the most commonly used argument in favor of the tampon tax. Some even argue that creating exemptions for individual items is unreasonable. For example, Katherine E. Loughead, a policy analyst at the Tax Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington said: “Every time another exemption is passed, it means the tax rate that applies to everything else will have to increase in order to generate that same amount of revenue,”.
But it might be worth remembering that the current administration managed to pass a $1.5 trillion tax package that cuts individual rates and slashes the top corporate tax rate. So, seemingly the loss of revenue is not necessarily an unmanageable problem. Also, focusing on revenue loss actually misses the central point in the conversation around the tampon tax, which is that menstrual products are, undeniably, basic necessities. As long as there are exemptions in sales taxes, the discussion should be focused on which products are in fact essential—not on what the tax revenue impact of eliminating these taxes is.
But There Is Progress Being Made
The tampon tax has been abolished in several states, as well as in other countries. Canada's tax on feminine hygiene products, for example, was lifted in 2015, after thousands signed an online petition on the matter. In Britain, the tax will be abolished once Brexit is complete, and until then, taxes from menstrual products are being put into a special fund for women’s health. Germany, India, Malaysia and Australia have also ended the tax. Also, between 2016 and 2018, Nevada, New York, Florida, Connecticut and Illinois eliminated the tax, while many other states also introduced bills to do so.
There is evidence that the public opinion is shifting towards ending the tax. The market research company OnePoll surveyed 2,000 women in the U.S. in 2019 and found that 67 percent of respondents thought a tax on period products was sexist. Advocacy around menstrual equity—i.e., the adequate access to menstrual hygiene products and education about reproductive health—has gained traction in recent years. Some advocates are even seeking to mobilize legal action based on the idea that the tampon tax is unconstitutional. The campaign Tax Free. Period., for example, was founded in June 2019 and aims to end the tampon tax with the argument that, because it only applies to people who menstruate, it constitutes a form of sex-based discrimination, which basically means that it is unlawful.
Conversations around period poverty expand beyond the tampon tax, though. They also include making menstrual products available in public restrooms, prisons, shelters, schools, as well as the implementation of educational programs and campaigns to end the stigma around periods. Menstrual hygiene is essential for people’s health and for their ability to participate in public life—it should be available for all. The fact that menstrual products are still subject to sales taxes as luxury items in 33 states is a testament that there is still a long way to go until we achieve menstrual equity. But change will come as more people continue to use their voices to convey the idea that menstrual products are a right, not a luxury.
Take action:
https://www.period.org/get-involved
https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/tax-free-period-lola-campaign-tax-day/
https://www.taxfreeperiod.com/protest
https://hashtaghappyperiod.org
Life in NYC Post-Pandemic: Are We There Already?
The pandemic is far from having an end. In New York however, as we cope with the idea of a foreseeable future of mask-wear and social distancing, we seem to be rushing back to some sense of normality. Right this second, the priority seems to be figuring out what "the new normal" will look like. The numbers of Covid-19 cases have dropped and the news has reported our first day of 0 registered deaths caused by Coronavirus, which sounds like good news except for the fact that other states are still struggling as their statistics reach the peak of the curve we have all tried to avoid. Going back to socialization can be triggering for some and be a relief for others. Either way, as we witnessed the city of New York that had fallen into a long and deep coma wakes up again, we marvel at the possibility of having our lives back. Which raises the question: are we going back to normalcy? And there's an even more important one: is it safe to?
As we try out new habits and get rid of old ones, life designs itself in front of us and what have we learned since then? Many of us have left the Big Apple and have gone to smaller towns, quieter towns. Industries in the most diverse fields have adapted and so have we. As many of us are contemplating the nuances and adaptabilities of working remotely, some of us managed to stay in New York, either for unconditional love for their city or for the hope that things will look better anytime soon. Is "the new normal" believing?
Let's say that, hypothetically, an effective vaccine for Covid-19 has been announced, would we simply go back to our regular lives as if nothing has ever happened? Historically, it takes decades to permanently change a society and yet, we are still fighting some really old habits such as racism, homophobia or violence against women. The point is if we can not guarantee that we will change the behavior that generated this whole pandemic situation, why are we so eager to get back to normalcy instead of thinking about ways to educate ourselves so a pandemic never happens again? There are many nuances under the umbrella of this subject that we must address if we want the world to actually change.
We certainly can not change everything at once but, taking time to reconsider old habits and new ones, choices in life, business we purchase from, etc, is a beginning. The list is vast but we must do the work we are responsible for. This is a small portion of the greater picture of this problem but, it is worth it to take a look into. It is a good starter to look critically and considerably at how we behave in society: what and where we purchase; how we treat people; what is our relationship with privilege and what we are doing about it; can that vacation trip to Europe wait? Can that trip to the country to see a beloved one wait? More important than asking ourselves these questions is to think about them collectively. Because if there is one thing this pandemic has shown us is that there is no such a thing as a wall setting us apart. As an unified worldwide nation, we either gather together to defeat Covid-19 or we're all going to sink. Haven't we lost enough already?
Ultimately, whatever work we do right now, we might not be able to see it in the long run. It is kind and generous to think though, that every effort we make here will reflect an improvement for the generations yet to come. To that end, I would like to propose an exercise: think of someone you love more than anything, now imagine that this person will be born two generations ahead in a healthier and happier world. If you could somehow travel to the future to meet them and tell what you have done that contributed to this world of theirs, what would you like to be able to say? At the end of the day, one's work might change the reality of the society they live in, one's collective work with their equals though might change an entire civilization.
Scars: A Body Map of Rediscovery and Self-esteem
Scars tell a story. I have this vivid memory of me as a kid playing near the fire pit during the St. Peter Holidays in the little farm I grew up in in Northeastern Brazil, where it is tradicional to barbecue cashew nuts. That night, I got too close to the splashing oil from the nuts and had a third of my right leg burnt. The scars never faded away, neither did my frustration and shame of having scarred legs. Which led me to forever wear pants no matter how summery the weather was. It is hurtful and traumatic to go through life in a society where beauty standards are impossible to meet.
This reality is changing though, because people began to share their struggles and fears. To enlighten this conversation, I have interviewed with a couple of impressive women. Nathalia, who was born with a condition called Nevus— a birthmark that fills up one's body and face with what they call a mole on the skin, and Marianne, a breast cancer survivor who had gone through a double mastectomy in 2014. Their scars tell a story. To learn them is to heal.
Scars are like maps. They can be gentle reminders of our whole trajectory. Our victories and losses. And they all are a huge constellation that constitutes us. However, it's vital to reflect on the role these scars play in our lives, because even though they're an important piece of our story, we are who we are in spite of them.
Acceptance is an everyday job. We will face good and bad days in the process of healing and accepting ourselves. Nathalia has gone through nine facial surgeries that resulted in asymmetrical facial features. "I don't see that my face is asymmetrical. I am Nathalia.", she declares.
We must teach our children empathy and acceptance. People will see you for what you put out there. Naturally, there will be people who won't be able to see that, but that is not on you. That's on them. Nathalia remembers her childhood as the hardest time. From the age six to eight, she recalls kids bullying her by calling her by the names of horror movies characters. "Bullying is an act of power.", Nathalia enlightens.
Social Media holds togetherness. The internet world naturally reflects both good and bad human behavior; however, it is a powerful tool that we must use to our advantage. Marianne recalls earlier in 1994, when she first learned about her diagnosis, that there was no social media and she didn't know anyone who had cancer. Years later, she would create an IG account to share her artistic work, a cathartic way to alleviate the pain from radiation. "My art tells other women that they are not alone in this.", she says.
Our scars don't define us. In 2018, Nathalia started talking on her social media channel about her condition. "When I talk about it and I am vulnerable, people respond in a positive way.", she attests. After her first appearance in a conference in Chicago with other people who also have Nevus, Nathalia's desire to inspire others began to grow. That's how she met EmpowHer NY and, after being invited to talk in one of our TakeOvers, Nathalia has been invited several times to give speeches where she would share her story and inspire others. Finally, in 2019, she founded Loving My Dots. She has also participated in a very prestigious event called The Real Catwalk that happens in London annually and brings together everybody who has any sort of physical condition. Loving My Dots has grown, it's featured in the magazines and thousands of people have reached out at her to either thank or congratulate Nathalia for the extraordinary work she's doing.
The change begins within us. To Nathalia, acceptance is the word that defines most of her story. It is part of the healing process to mourn our wounds, but it is valid to perceive them in a way that can be uplifting and cheerful. Both can be true. It comes a moment though where one will hold us back from living a fulfilling life and the other will help us move forward. To Marianne, it is hurtful to realize that everything she knew was taken away from her; however, to realize that "There is light in the end. It is going to get better." kept her moving forward. She was part of the Being Flat Movement in which she met several women with similar stories as hers. She was also invited to participate as a model in the runways for AnaOno— a fashion brand that designs lingerie for breast cancer survivors. "We all were honored to walk, knowing we were doing something way bigger than ourselves.", she declared.
No one will love us before we do. Self-love echoes from inside out and it makes a huge difference on how others perceive us. "I never knew I had the courage I have.", Marianne says. That's the thing about sharing our stories, we never know who's heart we will end up touching. These women touched mine and I hope they touch yours, too. Later that day, while researching, I found a picture of a fortune cookie on Marianne's social media account that said "Turn your scars into stars.". In spite of immediately thinking "that's easier said than done." I then had a thought: if I will carry my scars forever with me and I don't care to turn them into stars, at the end of the day, there will be no bright sky to look at after the sun sets.
PRIDE MONTH - Ways To Actively Enhance Allyship For The LGBTQ+ Community
The word of the moment is action in these unprecedented times. Since the last time we talked about ways to become an anti-racist because we can no longer accept things the way they are, I figured it was also time to do my homework in regards of the LGBTQ+ community around me. As a straight woman, I acknowledge my privilege of walking into places the LGBTQ+ community has been denied to enter; however, being aware of that is not enough. In order to accomplish that, it is crucial to do work of understanding the role we play in this society and educating ourselves about what we can do to help. Consequently, taking action is essential to fight prejudice against the LGBTQ+ community and to assure their right to live and to be in this world.
We must fight for tolerance. I will dare to say that the lack of it is the root of all the evil society has inflicted on the minorities through time. We talk very much about acceptance, but we can not expect everyone to accept one's truth or life choice, we have however the right to demand respect for it. Because tolerance is the foundation of a more fair society. At the end of the day, we don't have to agree with one another, but we must tolerate the differences that constitute the society we are surrounded by. Notice that acceptance is debatable, but tolerance is not negotiable.
We must educate ourselves. Education is another important word this year because in school, we are not taught how to navigate social awareness and justice, nor how to read the nuances that form the environment we grew up in. Instead, we have been conditioned to fit in according to certain models, leaving no room for observation and learning of how diversified life choices can be, especially the ones related to our sexuality. Now that the internet approximates people all over the world, there are several reliable channels we can gather knowledge from. Once we learn more about the LGBTQ+ community, their fears and struggles, their beauty and value, we will better understand how to become their allies and we will feel more equipped to fight along with them.
We must educate others around us. To educate ourselves is a great step towards a safer future for the LGBTQ+ community, but that is just the beginning. It makes a great difference to be aware of our surroundings and stand up when we witness prejudice. We must as well teach our children how to appropriately navigate social situations in which they encounter people from the LGBTQ+ community. Regardless of which generation you belong to, one's uniqueness should be celebrated and respected, especially in a world where everyone has always been conditioned to blend in, because we were taught that sameness means safety and acceptance.
We must normalize the different. Diversity has been a trendy theme for the past decade or so. The more we explore what the world has to offer, the more we understand we are not alone in our uniqueness. The same thing happens when we are talking about the LGBTQ+ community, we can not change the way we were born. Society is the one that must change the way it treats the LGBTQ+ community. Uniqueness is beautiful and it must be respected and preserved.
Heterosexuality is not the norm. The first transgender that History registered was named Lili Elbe— a danish artist who was born a male and went through a sex reassigment surgery in 1930. It is worth reflecting on the fact that the LGBTQ+ community has always existed, but now they have more access and more visibility. You know that old conservative neighbor of yours who always says "There wasn't this much LGBTQ+ in the past.” The thing is there were, and the difference is that now we can no longer ignore their existence. Sometimes it is not about what we see, it is about how we see and that makes a huge difference in the way we perceive reality. When we see it through different lenses, our perspective about it also changes, and that is powerful. It makes us resourceful and equipped to defeat this patriarchal sexist society we live in.
Amplify the LGBTQ+ voices. Use your social media channels to increase awareness, to share their stories, to bring these people to light. There are countless artists in this community that could use some good media exposure for a change. There certainly are LGBTQ+ people in show business and those have greater audiences, but there also are painters, doctors, literature professors, scientists to name a few. Professionals who are in fields considered more reputable according to society, and that LGBTQ+ people struggle to conquer space in.
Ultimately, to guarantee the right to live inside their own body is just the top of the iceberg. The LGBTQ+ community has also to fight against violence and hatred. They must fight for acceptance of those in their own families and friends, they must fight for the right to love and to be loved. Basic premises that should be granted to all. If those who fit in the normative standard in society don't stand up for those who don't, none of us will ever be safe.
Black Lives Matter: We Must Stand Up. There Is No Other Time Than Now.
In an exclusive interview, Ingrid Silva — Founder of EmpowHer NY, talks about the latest events regarding this historical moment for black people all over the world, and gives us an insightful overview on how we can start a positive and impactful change in our society once and for all. The global pandemic didn't stop people from going to the streets and claiming for the rights of the black people to exist in the world, nor stopped them from standing up and supporting the cause. The protests are a clear message that people are tired of promises. We want this reality to change and we want it now. In order to accomplish that though, we must take action.
We all seem to agree that diversity is one of the most effective ways to end racism. In many segments of our society, such as the workplace; the entertainment industry; the fashion industry; the political fields to name a few, we talk about diversity and how important it is to assure a diverse environment everywhere we go; however, in order to end hundreds and hundreds of years of slavery behavior, we must act to assure diversity, by including it in our daily lives and understanding that everything we do affects black people, in both professional and personal settings. I know that might sound overwhelming; however, "black people have been living under those circumstances since the very first day they were taken from their home countries", Ingrid elucidated.
"We must educate ourselves on how to actively fight racism because not being racist is not enough.", she reflected. The names of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery echo through the streets on the mouths of those who can not stand living in a world where black people are not safe and respected.
Diversity, inclusion and representation are practices to achieve race equality, but we all must compromise and make it happen everyday. Ingrid brought to the table a powerful solution to this equation. "Hire black people. And I am not just talking about servant positions, which are also noble jobs. Hire black people for strategic positions, leadership positions.", Ingrid defended. Big companies donate money to institutions that support black communities, but they don't have them around. In many industries, the amount of black people that hierarchically occupies positions of power does not mirror black people's demographics in most countries. It is urgent that black people navigate the same life opportunities white people do.
"Black people were nobody's slaves. White men invaded their land, they tortured, slaughtered and enslaved black people, as if they were less than a human being. The structural racism we witness today in these big corporations goes from generation to generation. We must educate our children, we must educate those around us. Racism is a cultural thing. Our sons and daughters will perpetrate the racism they see in their homes.", she concluded.
The non-racist behavior sees the worth and the beauty of every race. The anti-racist behavior sees the worth and the beauty of every race and teaches them to others.
The more diverse our surroundings are, the more likely it is that the next generation will understand and respect diversity even more. Ingrid advocates that education is a crucial element in this social dynamic. The affluence or the lack of education has an enormous impact on how black people have survived throughout History in this society. "Education means opportunity. When we invest in better education for black people, the greater are the chances they will thrive.", Ingrid states.
Finally, no matter how far we advance, our society doesn't respect the limits of black people's bodies. For Ingrid, "This is about the right to exist inside my own body.", the organic boundary that we live in and supposedly belongs to us. We must start respecting others, especially black people who have been suffering prejudice and outrageous crimes for so long. The work we are committing to do now is not only for black people, it is for all of us. "All lives matter" is a deceiving speech from those who are choosing to not do their part in this time in History. It is time to assure that black people have their voices, not only heard, but also occupying spaces they haven't occupied before. Black lives matter.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: We Must Talk About Prejudice
The Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, created by Congress in 1977, celebrates the Asian people's accomplishments and contributions to the United States. We can learn about the History behind this celebratory month for the Asian Pacific American Heritage in the US on their official website. In this article though, we intend to demonstrate how all of us play a part in this issue and in what ways we can defeat racism that has been inflamed by Covid-19 pandemic against Asian people.
In 2020, given the global Coronavirus outbreak, we must address an urgent and concerning issue: racism against Asian people lately. Even with all the information we have access to, many of us seem to ignore the proven reasons that led to the Covid-19 pandemic. Several episodes of racial hatred against Asian people have taken place, not only in the United States, but in other parts of the world. Anti-asian statements and hate speech are now part of their lives. In an era where leaving the house to grocery shop requires us to almost prepare to go to war, Asian people fear for their safety as well.
The internet has democratized information and has brought people together. On the other hand, it is a tool with which we can easily disseminate pretty much everything: from acceptance to isolation; from empathy to prejudice. That is why it is crucial to start conversations that nurture empathy and acceptance within all communities. After we finally seemed to fight for the rights of all people, regardless of their heritage, race, religion and/or sexual identity, we have witnessed online acts of racism against asian people. There are effective ways to fight these acts of hate back by good practices in our own virtual communities. We might think that certain actions are harmless, but they actually fuel prejudice and intolerance.
When a crisis takes place, it is inherently human, and easier, to look for someone or something to blame other than holding ourselves accountable for the part we played in it. The perpetrators of hate acts tend to blame Asian people given the fact that the Coronavírus pandemic began in Wuhan, China. What they fail to acknowledge is that this worldwide crisis is a result of years of dismissiveness with our mother nature resources and lack of accountability from several nations across the globe. The excessive mass production of all sorts of goods; the extraction of sources from the Earth without a proper plan to replace them; and the expansion of large metropoles invading into the natural habitat to name a few. The combination of these factors have culminated in the decimation of entire ecosystems and affected others to move from their habitat. The pandemic started in China, but it could have started anywhere else in the world.
In a crisis, it is normal to develop a sense of humor in order to conquer anxiety and fear in face of the unknown and social media is a vast source of humoristic tools to achieve that; however, it is important to pay attention to the memes we make and share online because they not only reinforce wrong assumptions between Asian people and the Coronavirus outbreak, but they also open the door to racist jokes that ultimately culminate in acts of hatred. We often hear the pandemic being called "China vírus" or "Wuhan vírus" which are misleading concepts. It is our social duty to educate those around us about this subject. For instance, we can correctly educate our children about Covid-19 and make sure they don't perpetuate hate speech or bullying in their classroom. They may actually be encouraged to offer support and compassion to their school peers who may be experiencing that kind of bullying.
Another way to help is to check on our Asian friends, see how they are doing during all of this and ask how we can help. It is frightening enough to live in the midst of a global outbreak and have had our world turned upside down in a blink of an eye, it is even harder if we have to also live looking over our shoulders all the time.
Conclusively, we must look after our beloved ones and after people in general because that is what constitutes our society. Amongst the several layers of privilege each of us experience or not, the only way we are going to survive this pandemic is if we stand for one another; if we take care of each other with the tools we have at our disposal; if we consider somebody else's struggle while making decisions during this pandemic; if we offer what is in our power to help. After all, it is not only about me or you. It is about all of us.