The Radical Feminist Divide: The Derailing & Watering Down of Radical Feminist Analysis
Radical Feminism has been the topic of discussion for decades. In recent times, it’s become a hot topic due to the label ‘TERF.’ Now full disclosure, I’m a woman who’d be labeled a ‘TERF’, I don’t care! My greater issue is with how the word gets thrown around to describe any woman who has an issue with men who identify as trans. This is problematic because the TE(RF) stands for Radical Feminism.
Women who don’t agree with Queer Politics now claim the label of radical feminist while disparaging it, or disagreeing with it entirely. This makes it harder for actual radical feminists to organize, and develop discourse outside of Queer Politics. When Radical Feminists speak out, now there are tons of het-partnered, gender critical women shaming you for discussing how women uphold gender (femininity).
Radical Feminism seeks to get to the root of female oppression. How can we dismantle patriarchal structures when we refuse to discuss the things that help to maintain patriarchy? You can’t criticize gender ideology and scoff when reminded that you uphold gender yourself. The root of gender ideology is GENDER. Trans is the result of gender, not the cause.
There needs to be a division between ‘Gender Critical’ Feminism & Radical Feminism. This article is me drawing the line in the sand and making myself clear. I still struggle with upholding gender myself, I’m not perfect. That’s why I label my perspective as rad-learning. However, I still love Radical Feminism & I care about Radical Feminists. It’s harder to speak out about deeper concepts when women feel personally attacked by critique.
It’s okay not to be a radical feminist, it’s okay to reject labels entirely. It’s not okay to take up space in groups that you don’t like, or align with. You can’t manipulate and change a political ideology to fit your personal needs, you must change yourself to fit it’s needs. If you can’t do that, that’s okay, but Radical Feminism is just not for you. I believe that there needs to be a directional shift in our community, away from that Gender Critical short sighted analysis. Gender abolition is at the center of gender critique, and we can’t forget that. I will always believe in speaking out against the mainstream narratives we’re fed, but our analysis must be multi-faceted.
Feminism is about women and girls, women and our issues should be at the center of our politics. Issues as in plural, multiple, not just one. Our community spends so much time arguing with incels on social media and confused men. Our time is valuable, it can be used to find the women close to us and mobilizing our communities. We can and have to organize if we want to see real change. We have to organize for more than just Queer Politics. Whenever I see women coming together, I see them coming together to protest only against Gender Ideology. We need that energy, but what about the women and girls who need us too? This is not the only issue women are facing, when it disappears, our issues will still remain. We have to show up for it all, not just one. Here are some ways to show up for the women around you and consciousness raise to spread feminist ideas:
Donate to Women’s Shelters (money, menstrual products, clothing, canned foods, and in person volunteer time)
Online Activism (use Canva to create educational infographics, carrds, or blogs)
Consciousness Raise (listen to the women around you & talk to them. Listen to their experiences without judgment and apply feminist analysis. Share info + Books with them.)
Radical Feminist Book Clubs (Gathering on Twitter Spaces, Discord, or Zoom to read with a group of women)
RadFem Org’s To Support + info on Organizing (https://womansplaceuk.org/ https://www.womensliberationfront.org/volunteer https://wedo.org/feminist-organizing-toolkit-planning-virtual-meetings/ https://4w.pub/a-starter-guide-to-womens-political-organizing/ https://www.filia.org.uk/latest-news/2022/1/7/how-to-launch-a-consciousness-raising-group-in-your-local-area )
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