I’ve been reflecting on my blogging and my feminism a lot lately and, no matter how I frame it, I just keep coming up disappointed with myself and my blog.
While I’m proud of the posts I have written and (for the most part) still believe every word I have written, although some of the REALLY old posts make me cringe just a bit at how much I didn’t know, I have not done nearly enough to highlight the many intersections of oppression that exist within our culture and the feminist movement.
My personal definition of feminism believes that all oppressions are linked and need to be fought together. Politically and ideologically I am very concerned with GLBTIQ issues, class issues, and issues of race in addition to the gender issues and sexism I blog about so often… unfortunately, I don’t think my writing reflects this intersection nearly as well as it should.
I honestly hesitated to make this post for awhile because I don’t like the way in which it makes inclusiveness seem like some grand, abnormal gesture. To be clear: I am not looking for praise here, I don’t deserve praise, if anything I owe apologies for not being an effective ally in the past. I posted this because I wanted this statement to be public and recorded so that my readers know where I stand and will (hopefully) feel encouraged hold me to my promise to work towards being a better ally in my blogging.
Here’s where I promise to educate myself and start blogging more about GLBTIQ issues, race issues, class issues, and so on… I truly do plan to educate myself much more (starting with a whole stack of books from my Women’s Center’s library) and start taking a vocal stance on these issues; but this isn’t enough. I fear that as a straight white middle-class woman I simply do not have the depth of experience necessary to contribute much anything of value to these conversations… which is why I am making my second resolution: to link more.
As often as I can (at least once a week) I’m going to compile a list of posts here on important issues that I cannot personally speak to, by bloggers who I respect and admire a great deal. Practically this doesn’t serve much of a purpose – these posts would still get read without my linking them, their voices would still be heard… in all honesty these bloggers will be doing me a favor in allowing me to link their work. I view this decision as symbolic at best – an earnest attempt to reflect these issues on this blog in the capacity that they deserve, but I am incapable of doing justice to.
I’m going to reflect on this more in the days ahead as I try to shift the focus of this blog to a more inclusive one. If you have any suggestions I’d love to hear them in the comments and/or via e-mail (imaginejill@gmail.com) Also, if you’ve written a post that you’d like linked here (or even posted in full here, with credit of course, and linked back to you) let me know via email – the more voices represented on here, the better!
– J
Imagine Today 
I have to admit that I can relate to your dilemma. For awhile now I have been so conflicted with the term WOC. I realize that it is meant to be inclusive but more often than not it tends to stand for Black women thus marginalizing other very important voices. As a womanist I have seen first hand some of the mistakes of feminism as it relates to race and yet I see the same thing reoccurring within womanism with the difference being that the privilege is given to Black women. I have begun to seek ways to broaden the conversation to ensure that WOC really does mean WOC but it is a difficult journey.
Thank you so much for your comment! Your blog is actually one of the main reasons I was inspired to make this post and take a critical look at the message I was communicating through my activism. I really appreciate your input.
– J
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