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Is Gender a Social Construct? in 7 Minutes

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An excerpt from 'White Anti-Racist Activism: A Personal Roadmap' by Jennifer R. Holladay.

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We can't all become full-time activists - but we can all make a difference. Words: Susan Devaney and Moya Crockett.

The theme of this year's International Women's Day is #PressForProgress, to encourage people around the world to take action and push for gender equality. While few of us have the time or resources to quit our jobs to become full-time activists, that doesn't mean we can't do our bit to help the cause.

In fact, there are countless ways that we all can make a difference - so if you talk the feminist talk, it's time to start walking the walk.

"There are lots of different ways to get involved with activism, and it's important to remember that everyone's capacities are different," says a spokesperson for activist group Sisters Uncut. "A good place to start is by checking yourself and your own relation to the sorts of forces that make feminist activism more necessary - whether that's your power to vote, your wealth relative to others, your privilege based on race, sexuality, gender, ability, mental health - and then seeking to redress some of these imbalances."

Below, we've rounded up 13 ways to make the world a fairer, kinder, more equal place for all women.

1) Identify what gets your blood boiling

When the world seems to be going down the plughole, prioritising a single issue can feel impossible - but you don't have to fix the world in one go. Spreading yourself too thinly will leave you feeling exhausted, and you're more likely to make a tangible difference if you focus on one thing.

Ask yourself: what do you feel most passionately about? Perhaps you want to help close the gender pay gap, support refugee women, campaign against the closure of domestic violence refuges, get more women into parliament - or maybe you're fired up by something else entirely. Research organisations that are already working on these issues, and find out how you can get involved.

Gabby Edlin is the founder of period poverty grassroots organisation Bloody Good Period, which provides asylum seekers with menstruation products. She says that knowing you can't do everything is a crucial part of effective activism.

"It's easy to feel like you're being pulled from all angles," she says, "but you have to stay focused. We sometimes get hassled for not catering to schoolgirls or homeless people, but that's because Amika George and The Homeless Period are already doing brilliant work in those areas. We have our own area, and we stick to that."

Remember, concentrating on one topic doesn't mean you don't care about the others; it just means you've made a thoughtful decision about where to expend your energy.

2) Donate

Organisations and charities cannot function without money. From helping fund essential services to contributing to the cost of conducting research into gender inequality, donating a little of your monthly salary really can go a long way.

"Never underestimate the power of your pound - women's rights organisations and women's rights defenders need funding now more than ever, and a small regular donation goes a long way," says Esmerelda France, who works for Womankind Worldwide and describes herself as a "quiet activist".

"Think about the amount you spend per week on takeaway coffee or sandwiches. If you went without those for one day a week over one month you'd actually have a tidy sum to donate, and you wouldn't be any worse off for it."

Most grassroots organisations and charities welcome any donation at any time, but giving regularly allows them to plan their work more effectively - so if you can, set up a monthly direct debit.

To ensure that your feminism is as intersectional as possible, read widely. You can become a member of many women's charities, which may give you access to newsletters, events and magazines to keep you in the loop. Or check out Gal-Dem, Media Diversified, Black Ballad, Pink News and Diva for think pieces and news from the perspectives of women of colour, LGBTQ women and non-binary individuals.

"Campaigning for women's rights isn't just about protesting on the streets. Often the most empowering activities involve educating yourself about women's issues, and standing in solidarity with women and communities whose voices are more marginalised than your own," explains Sam Smethers, chief executive of the Fawcett Society.

Alternatively, try picking up a book about an area of feminism that you've never considered before. Playing the Whore: The Work of Sex Work by Melissa Gira Grant, Barbara Fawcett's Feminist Perspectives on Disability and the essay collection The Things I Would Tell You: British Muslim Women Write are all guaranteed to provide food for thought.

4) Have conversations

Reading everything and anything on your chosen subject matter is a great start, but getting others involved is also important. Invite your flatmates to an event, tell your friends about that fantastic book you just read, or share illuminating articles on social media.

Equally, don't be afraid to challenge others on their beliefs. This is particularly true if you're privileged in one way or another. If you're white, straight, cisgendered or non-disabled, don't leave it to others to speak out against racism, homophobia, transphobia or ableism. Difficult conversations are a vital part of changing culture, and intersectional feminism means paying attention to issues that don't only affect women like you.

5) Organise a fundraising event

Most organisations will gladly accept donations gathered at fundraising events (you may have to get approval to officially fundraise for some charities, though, so make sure to do your research). Throw a dinner party where everyone donates what they would have paid at a restaurant, go on a sponsored walk, organise a comedy night or pub quiz, sell your old clothes on eBay... The options are limitless.

"Whether it's running a 10k, asking your office to raise money by wearing Suffragette purple for the day or hosting a bake sale, you can join us standing hand in hand with survivors to make sure no woman faces domestic abuse alone and every survivor gets the help she needs," says Katie Ghose, chief executive of Women's Aid.

6) Think carefully about where you spend your money

The phrase "the personal is political" was popularised in 1969 by second-wave feminist Carol Hanisch, and it's as true today as it was then. Consider what and where you buy: support women-owned businesses wherever possible, and shop mindfully via ethical retailers.

"Fashion has always been an industry that empowers the women who wear beautiful garments and accessories, but not necessarily the women who make these pieces," says Sameena Mawji, who co-founded online shop Ethical Stories Ethical Me with her sister Shivani.

"Choosing to shop with ethical brands that ensure a fair wage and a safe working environment is an act of feminism and a huge push towards equality, not only between genders but also between different groups of women."

Want to shop ethically this International Women's Day? Check out our round-up of feminist gifts that actually benefit the women's movement.

7) Challenge offensive media coverage, marketing and advertising campaigns

Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are your friends here. Spotted an objectifying advert, a sexist headline or a needlessly gendered product? Snap a picture and post it on social media with a witty takedown, making sure to tag the brand in question.

Tessa Trabue is a member of the campaign group Let Toys Be Toys, which calls on children's companies to ditch unnecessarily gendered labelling. "We have found social media campaigning to be extremely effective," she says. "Since our campaign started in 2012, 14 major UK toy retailers and 11 UK children's book publishers have agreed to ditch the 'girls' and 'boys' signs and labels. We achieved this mainly by highlighting them on Twitter."

8) Ask her to stand

The more women there are in politics, the more likely we are to see policies that benefit women, so it's in all of our interests to get more women in Westminster. If you want to get into politics, these pearls of wisdom from female MPs might inspire you.

But some of us are like Oprah: we know that we just " don't have the DNA" for a life in the public eye. If that sounds like you, you can still encourage other women to run for office. Activist group 50:50 Parliament have an initiative called Ask Her To Stand, where you can nominate women you think would make brilliant MPs.

"Studies show that women have to be asked a minimum of three times before they begin to see themselves as potential leaders," says 50:50 campaigner Isabel Adomakoh Young. "50:50 Parliament has the resources to assist women on their way to Westminster, so Ask Her To Stand and help us help them!"

9) Volunteer

You might not have time to volunteer every week, but that doesn't mean you can't chip in. Many women's charities rely on volunteers to help out on a more occasional basis, such as taking photos, stewarding at events or filming fundraisers.

Find an organisation working towards a cause that you're passionate about and drop them an email - one-off volunteering opportunities might not always be advertised online, so it's worth speaking to someone directly.

10) Take to the streets

Protests, placards and speeches are some of the first things that come to mind when we think of activism. It's important to note that not everyone can attend demonstrations: travel costs, social anxiety, physical disability and/or fear of violence are just some of the reasons that people may not be able to take part in mass protests, and that doesn't mean their activism is not legitimate.

However, if you are able to attend, protests can be a powerful way of showing solidarity with a cause. Anna is a member of the anti-racism group Movement for Justice, which is organising protests in support of the women on hunger strike in Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre. (Sisters Uncut is also supporting the hunger strikers via the #HungerForFreedom campaign.)

Anna highlights the importance of "standing shoulder to shoulder with the women of Yarl's Wood, giving them strength". She adds: "Every woman joining us at the windows, every ex-detainee speaking, shouting, leading the demonstration on the outside - all leave stronger. When we stand together we feel our power."

Writing is a great way of spreading the word about a subject you're passionate about. The Fawcett Society actively recruits bloggers, and many global publications welcome blog posts from people with something to say. Or if you prefer to march to the beat of your own drum, set up your own website or blog: WordPress and Squarespace are quick and easy to use.

Or why not try journaling? Journaling every day is an offline contribution toward the movement, and can help you sort through your views and values. Your writing doesn't have to go viral for it to be valuable.

Online petitions are often dismissed as a form of digital virtue signalling, but many have been seriously useful in raising awareness of feminist issues and effecting change. Seven out of the 10 biggest successful UK petitions of all time were started by women, with victories ranging from Asma Elbadawi (who convinced the International Basketball Federation to allow female players to wear headscarves) to Laura Coryton, who launched the campaign against the tampon tax.

"The internet has disrupted the traditional power dynamics of politics - now anyone with a wifi connection can get their voice heard, mobilise an army of supporters and create change," says Kajal Odedra, UK country director at Change.org. "This is particularly true for women who have historically been left out of major debates and decision-making."

Last but not least, practice self-care. It sounds so simple, but in our social media driven world, taking time out can actually be rather difficult. Whether you opt to undergo a digital detox or take time time out to go for a long walk, looking after yourself is vital to staying calm and healthy as you press for progress.

Stylist's Visible Women campaign is dedicated to raising awareness of women who've made a difference, celebrating their success, and empowering future generations to follow their lead. See more from Visible Women here.

Images: Unsplash / Rex Features / iStock

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13 simple ways to press for progress this International Women's Day

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skip to main content Open site navigation Close site navigation Copyright © 2010-2018 Stylist Visible Women Posted by Stylist Team Published We can't all become full-time activists - but we can all make a difference. Words: Susan Devaney and Moya Crockett.

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Intersectional Feminism: What is it? | FACTUAL FEMINIST

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If you have wondered why there are so many millennials on campus telling people to check their privilege, demanding trigger warnings, calling people out for micro aggressions, and retreating to safe spaces, the Factual Feminist has the answer: Intersectional feminism.

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In honor of March 8th marking International Women's Day, join WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the top 10 women's activists of all time. Without these women, the world would be a much, much different place. Special thanks to our user Muppet_Face for submitting the idea on our Suggest Page at WatchMojo.com/suggest!

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The social construction of gender and its influence on suicide: a review of the literature

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In developed Western societies, it is well known that more men than women commit suicide each year, whereas women are more likely to be involved in su...

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Each week, In Theory Kimberlé Crenshaw is the executive director of the African American Policy Forum and a professor of law at Columbia University and the University of California, Los Angeles, law schools. takes on a big idea in the news and explores it from a range of perspectives. This week we're talking about intersectionality. Need a primer? Catch up here.
Intersectionality was a lived reality before it became a term.

Today, nearly three decades after I first put a name to the concept, the term seems to be everywhere. But if women and girls of color continue to be left in the shadows, something vital to the understanding of intersectionality has been lost.

In 1976, Emma DeGraffenreid and several other black women sued General Motors for discrimination, arguing that the company segregated its workforce by race and gender: Blacks did one set of jobs and whites did another. According to the plaintiffs' experiences, women were welcome to apply for some jobs, while only men were suitable for others. This was of course a problem in and of itself, but for black women the consequences were compounded. You see, the black jobs were men's jobs, and the women's jobs were only for whites. Thus, while a black applicant might get hired to work on the floor of the factory if he were male; if she were a black female she would not be considered. Similarly, a woman might be hired as a secretary if she were white, but wouldn't have a chance at that job if she were black. Neither the black jobs nor the women's jobs were appropriate for black women, since they were neither male nor white. Wasn't this clearly discrimination, even if some blacks and some women were hired?

Unfortunately for DeGraffenreid and millions of other black women, the court dismissed their claims. Why? Because the court believed that black women should not be permitted to combine their race and gender claims into one. Because they could not prove that what happened to them was just like what happened to white women or black men, the discrimination that happened to these black women fell through the cracks.
[Intersectionality: A Primer]
It was in thinking about why such a "big miss" could have happened within the complex structure of anti-discrimination law that the term "intersectionality" was born. As a young law professor, I wanted to define this profound invisibility in relation to the law. Racial and gender discrimination overlapped not only in the workplace but in other other arenas of life; equally significant, these burdens were almost completely absent from feminist and anti-racist advocacy. Intersectionality, then, was my attempt to make feminism, anti-racist activism, and anti-discrimination law do what I thought they should - highlight the multiple avenues through which racial and gender oppression were experienced so that the problems would be easier to discuss and understand.

Intersectionality is an analytic sensibility, a way of thinking about identity and its relationship to power. Originally articulated on behalf of black women, the term brought to light the invisibility of many constituents within groups that claim them as members, but often fail to represent them. Intersectional erasures are not exclusive to black women. People of color within LGBTQ movements; girls of color in the fight against the school-to-prison pipeline; women within immigration movements; trans women within feminist movements; and people with disabilities fighting police abuse - all face vulnerabilities that reflect the intersections of racism, sexism, class oppression, transphobia, able-ism and more. Intersectionality has given many advocates a way to frame their circumstances and to fight for their visibility and inclusion.

Intersectionality has been the banner under which many demands for inclusion have been made, but a term can do no more than those who use it have the power to demand. And not surprisingly, intersectionality has generated its share of debate and controversy.

Conservatives have painted those who practice intersectionality as obsessed with "identity politics." Of course, as the DeGraffenreid case shows, intersectionality is not just about identities but about the institutions that use identity to exclude and privilege. The better we understand how identities and power work together from one context to another, the less likely our movements for change are to fracture.
[Why Equal Protection may not protect everyone equally.]
Others accuse intersectionality of being too theoretical, of being "all talk and no action." To that I say we've been "talking" about racial equality since the era of slavery and we're still not even close to realizing it. Instead of blaming the voices that highlight problems, we need to examine the structures of power that so successfully resist change.

Some have argued that intersectional understanding creates an atmosphere of bullying and "privilege checking." Acknowledging privilege is hard - particularly for those who also experience discrimination and exclusion. While white women and men of color also experience discrimination, all too often their experiences are taken as the only point of departure for all conversations about discrimination. Being front and center in conversations about racism or sexism is a complicated privilege that is often hard to see.

Although the president's recent call to support black women was commendable, undertaking intersectional work requires concrete action to address the barriers to equality facing women and girls of color in U.S. society.

Intersectionality alone cannot bring invisible bodies into view. Mere words won't change the way that some people - the less-visible members of political constituencies - must continue to wait for leaders, decision-makers and others to see their struggles. In the context of addressing the racial disparities that still plague our nation, activists and stakeholders must raise awareness about the intersectional dimensions of racial injustice that must be addressed to enhance the lives of all youths of color.
Explore these other perspectives:
This is why we continue the work of the #WhyWeCantWait Campaign, calling for holistic and inclusive approaches to racial justice. It is why "Say Her Name" continues to draw attention to the fact that women too are vulnerable to losing their lives at the hands of police. And it is why thousands have agreed that the tragedy in Charleston, S.C., demonstrates our need to sustain a vision of social justice that recognizes the ways racism, sexism and other inequalities work together to undermine us all. We simply do not have the luxury of building social movements that are not intersectional, nor can we believe we are doing intersectional work just by saying words.
Latoya Peterson: Intersectionality is not a label. Lauren Sudeall Lucas: Why Equal Protection may not protect everyone equally. Alyssa Rosenberg: How 'Orange Is the New Black' wins at illustrating identity
Brittney Cooper: Black lives matter - all of them.

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Opinion | Why intersectionality can't wait

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Each week, In Theory Kimberlé Crenshaw is the executive director of the African American Policy Forum and a professor of law at Columbia University and the University of California, Los Angeles, law schools. takes on a big idea in the news and explores it from a range of perspectives.

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It has been 100 years since women won the right to vote in Britain. More accurately, it's 90 years since young women were able to vote; 2018 actually celebrates 100 years since suffrage was given to women over 30.

Feminism is held up as one of the most successful social movements of the 20th century. But ten years ago, when Catherine Redfern and I were planning our book on reclaiming feminism, some said young people just weren't interested in "the f word" anymore.

Back in the 1990s and early 2000s, young women were portrayed smashing glass ceilings in Louboutin heels, and feminism seemed rather outmoded. Many women thought of themselves as post-feminist, feeling there was no need for feminism, since gender equality had been achieved. But this wasn't really true, and a lot of the fear about calling yourself a feminist came from the negative stereotyping of feminists as bitter " killjoys ".

It's still needed

Things have changed. Feminism is now less despised because it's more obviously needed. Women in the UK have been living under a regime of austerity since the 2008 economic crisis. They have shouldered 86% of the income loss from changes to the tax and benefits systems since 2010, simply because they are more likely to be welfare recipients in the first place.

Meanwhile, the resurgence of the far right has led to violence and harassment against ethnic minority women, with Muslim women bearing the brunt of virulent Islamophobia. There is a stubborn gender pay gap (now 14% for full-time workers), and women pensioners in the UK face one of the worst gender income gaps in Europe.

The list goes on: gender-based violence is alarmingly high. Crime statistics show that one in four women, and one in seven men aged 16 to 59 have experience domestic abuse. The most harmful forms of abuse - sexual violence, especially - affect mostly women. Yet three-quarters of councils have cut funds to domestic violence services due to government budget cuts, and a third of referrals to refuges are now being turned away because of a lack of room.

It's gaining popularity

These examples of gender inequality explain why more people are identifying as feminists - especially young women. A 2013 Girlguiding survey found that 35% of girls and young women aged 11 to 21 were happy to call themselves feminists. In 2017, this was the case for 43% of 18 to 34-year-old women, according to a poll by Plan International, or 54% of 18 to 24-year-old women, according to UM London.

Today's feminist movement is more diverse than ever before. Feminism has become more attentive to the wider range of experiences of those oppressed by gender norms and stereotypes, including men, non-binary and trans people.

There's also greater awareness of the way that racism, anti-religious hatred, disablism or homophobia work alongside sexism, creating complex forms of prejudice and oppression. It's not so much that feminism has moved "beyond" sexism. Rather, a wider range of voices is now being counted as feminist. The HeForShe campaign, which encourages men to become advocates for gender equality, and Muslimah Media Watch, a forum where Muslim women critique how they are presented in the media and popular culture, are examples of this.

It's already happening

If the current situation has anything positive to show, it's that where there's injustice, there's also resistance. Young people are already challenging the forces feminist author bell hooks calls "white supremacist capitalist patriarchy" with style and skill - they don't need to be told how by older feminists. What's crucial now is to recognise the work they are doing and draw even more people to the cause.

Campaigns such as #TimesUp in the US and #tystnadtagning in Sweden have used the star power of famous actors - many of whom are young women - to draw a line under sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace, across all industries. Yet even worldwide movements can start with the actions of a single person: activist Tarana Burke has been credited with starting the #metoo movement more than ten years ago, based on her experiences as a youth camp director for Just Be Inc.

As these examples show, feminist activism takes many forms, from a single person signing a petition, to group protests on local issues such as the campaign to close Yarl's Wood detention centre in Bedfordshire, right through to large-scale actions coordinated by women's organisations, such as Women's March. Feminist acts can be taken through formal political routes. For example, by lobbying a local member of parliament, or by informal means, such as sharing information about a topic on social media or boycotting a company known for exploiting women employees.

Individuals can make a difference by working for a women's charity, becoming a local councillor or calling out sexual harassment wherever they encounter it. Even the conversations we have with our friends in our spare time can be a productive way to raise awareness about sexism.

There is no "right" form of activism and no one issue of greatest importance. A century ago, women's rights activists weren't all fighting for suffrage - some of them were working on other campaigns, such as equal access to university education, or a decent wage for working-class women. Nor did getting the vote solve other instances of gender injustice. So this 100-year anniversary is about much more than just "the vote". Feminism is a movement for gender justice, and it needs to be fought by many different people, in many different ways.
This article has been corrected to reflect the fact that Tarana Burke started the #metoo movement based on her experiences as a youth camp director for Just Be Inc, not Brooklyn-based Girls for Gender Equity, of which she is now senior director.

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Why feminism still matters to young people

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It has been 100 years since women won the right to vote in Britain. More accurately, it's 90 years since young women were able to vote; 2018 actually celebrates 100 years since suffrage was given to women over 30. Feminism is held up as one of the most successful social movements of the 20th century.

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Emma Watson at the HeForShe Campaign 2014 - Official UN Video

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Intersectionality | Nicole Ong | TEDxYouth@GMIS

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In her talk, Nicole has shed light on the ever-ambiguous word called Intersectionality, and how it pertains to us all. Deriving from her personal beliefs and values, she talks about the existence of many different women like her spanning the four oceans, illustrating the variety of people that have been marginalised by the idea of an ideal woman.