Nerd is my Gender
What's yours?
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SlutWalk or WhiteWalk?
Do a Google search for SlutWalk and see how many people of color you can find. Go ahead, I already set up the link: SlutWalk images. There’s one on the second page. One. I tried to scan through overhead photos of crowds, just in case this was the result of misrepresentation by the media, but no such luck.
First, read this: http://www.peopleofcolororganize.com/activism/slutwalk-whiteness-privilege-sex-trafficking-women-color/
Then this:
“There is an article (or many many) circulating labeling SlutWalk and its organizers as white supremacists (and a few others things which we aren’t, like all law students). This article was written with reflection, analysis & some necessary criticism, but there are some criticisms we would bring to it also. We are not all white or white supremacists and it’s so sad that people truly think we are. SlutWalk’s representation has been predominately of white women or those who appear white - this is a valid and necessary critique. We may not have done as good a job as others would want and need to see in discussing race, racism or white privilege. We’re constantly working to learn more and do better. It’s important to bring different groups of women, in different parts of the world, who are experiencing sexual violence into the conversation as this article does. We always need to acknowledge the people, in unfortunate increasing numbers, who are being sexually violated. But SlutWalk started in Toronto without any idea of it happening elsewhere. We focused our message locally to discuss sexual assaults upon women, men, children and all genders in Toronto and in Canada. This includes discussing sexual assault experienced by people of colour including indigenous communities that have outrageous accounts of murdered and missing women in Canada, and the experiences of women and people of different abilities, of women who live in poverty and all people who experience exploitation and sexual violence, the experiences of students on campuses, people in their Canadian homes, queer people and the marginalization and violence they face and so many more. We ARE some women of colour and have been working with many women of colour and people of colour as organizers, speakers, supporters, survivors and participants. Assumptions are being made based on names and photos. Do we need to do better to include more representation and address more issues critically? Yes. But is it okay to paint a big, expansive group of people with the same ‘white’ brush and tell them they’re all ‘white’ regardless of their skin colour, heritage, experience and community? No. Please help us share this information and encourage people to engage in conversations with those involved in SlutWalk. We’re a diverse group of people and don’t believe in the supremacy of any identity.”
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slutwalk (via grrrlvirus)
This response makes me feel as though these women didn’t read the entire article. Instead of getting defensive and starting off by saying that they are being labeled white supremacists (which they are NOT, I repeat, NOT being labeled as) why not respond to some of the issues being brought to question. The title about white supremacy is bringing up the point that the organization has found it better to use white leadership and the media has found it more appropriate to only interview white feminists on the merits of Slutwalk. This is subtle white supremacy because it reproduces the idea that white women’s stories are somehow more relevant, important, or worthy than women of color. The media also paints the picture that only white women have opinions of merit worth debating SlutWalk and that women of color might not have anything to say. And if women of color were more involved with SlutWalk, maybe the media might ask more feminists of color their opinion on the walks merits?
No one ever fucking called you a white supremacist. If you want to understand and learn more, know this. The very idea that you wanted to include women of color’s voices as a second option, the fact that you had to learn and listen to even begin thinking about women of color and their experiences, still expresses the values of white supremacy. Not because you are a white supremacist, but because you have the privilege to think of us as a second group, an after thought, an other. It is white supremacy and its very ideals and systems that make these disputes possible. That make it so that it takes hordes of women of color to say something before white women begin thinking about how they can be more pro-active.
I don’t think assumptions were being made just on photos. This article you are responding to makes note of the various women who are interviewed and get spotlight time over any kind of woman of color. You don’t see a problem with this? Furthermore, to not address the issue of the police and the fact that even if you decided to organize solely in Toronto, that police collaboration might not be the best way to create what seems like a safe space for women of color. The same women who you say experience disgusting violence and fear, the same women who also are likely to get less justice and service for that violence and fear, less access to healthcare for that violence and fear, less sympathy and access to someone to listen to for that violence and fear.
After I finish this, let me just say, its also a bad start to say we are also women of color. Let us hear the women of color. THEY HAVE THEIR OWN FUCKING VOICES. We don’t need to meld into yours to have a voice. If the women of color in your organization feel this way, let them say this. Give them a voice. As a woman of color, let them say, this was not our intention, we did not mean to be to come off as exclusionary. They can share their stories about how the organization welcomed them and made them feel comfortable. And if those women of color don’t want to speak or tell their story, that is cool too. But don’t say, Oh “we are some women of color” and expect that to erase the critique and real substance to that article. Its like you are trying to discredit the critique that was made in the first place. Just as the article said that woman who was interviewed and complained about her spotlight time just had to condescendingly correct her did. Even if you don’t believe in the supremacy of any one identity, society does. And when women of color talk and explain ways to make us feel that you really want to get rid of that, maybe its time to just shut the fuck up and listen. This might be harsh, but I got pissed the hell off seeing this.
(via strugglingtobeheard)
Now, go back to these SlutWalk images and rethink your feminism. Srsly.
(Source: facebook.com)
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what is the difference between these two images?
Pictures speak louder than words, especially when the pictures have words in them.
this privilege:
and this privilege:
a) about 10 years and a kick-ass job at Goldman-Sachs
b) racism denial vs. racism celebration
c) not a damn thing
I vote for d) all of the above.
UPDATE: Kimberlynn Acevedo, one of SlutWalk NYC’s organizers has posted a statement in response to the sign, and has announced plans to continue the dialogue. Here is an excerpt:
One of our march’s participants last Saturday held up and promulgated a racist, offensive sign. She was asked to take it down by one of our organizers as soon as it came to our attention. This sign symbolizes many of the critiques about SlutWalk not being a safe space for people of color, in particular Black women. We are taking it seriously and we absolutely condemn it and are horrified by it. This sign opposes the mission of SlutWalk NYC and its message is in direct conflict with the beliefs of its organizers. …
We are meeting with many of the groups which have critiqued SlutWalk NYC directly. We are meeting with Black Women’s Blueprint. We are attending an open meeting with Sister Song. We are holding a completely open meeting on October 13 at Walker Stage from 6-8 p.m. in order to discuss how to build a fighting movement. Further, we encourage everyone to take a look at the transcripts and videos of the speeches we have posted on our website and Facebook. We know we need to grow. We have been working on growth from the beginning. There were powerful, diverse and engaging speeches at the rally, many of which directly hit upon critiques of SlutWalk. THESE are the seeds of growth in our organization. We want to start a movement that passionately wants include the voices of all people, of all survivors, of all individuals who see merit in what it is that we are choosing to combat.
We hope you will join us.
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SLUT
This word is getting quite a workout in recent times. Between the Limbaughs who use it as a way to dehumanize and the Slutwalkers who use it as a way to rage against rape culture, the word “slut” is getting pulled in any and every direction with everyone trying to put it to use for their own personal agenda.
Some women are trying to grab a hold of the word “slut” and claim it as a badge of honor. It’s unfair how there isn’t a word for “women who love sex” that isn’t a horrible insult, unlike how words for “men who love sex” are all compliments. And from a certain perspective, women who love sex are the ones most entitled to use that word in any way they like.
The only problem is, conservadouchebags are the ones who continue to hold power in society. They’re also the ones who continue to decide that words like “slut” and “whore” are insults, and they’re the ones who have the power to use those words to harm women. Can women fight back and make “slut” an acceptable identity, much the way queers have with that word?
Perhaps. But as long as the word continues to cause harm, everyone needs to take a good look at why they feel the need to use it. ”Am I using this word for myself with pride? Or am I using it against someone else without their consent?” Until we succeed in our all-out takeover of society by flaming atheist liberal feminists (and why stop even then?), we can’t let our starry-eyed vision of a better tomorrow cloud our ability to see the realities of today.
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One of the things mentioned at the StL SlutWalk Summit this spring was “make the message more obvious in the advertising”. I think this is one of the most badass posters of all time. Designed by johnnymurdoc.
(via SlutWalk St. Louis)
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![“SlutWalk helps us keep our sexuality healthy from the diseases of fear, oppression, confusion, violence, self hate and fear of eachother.” Blue
[Image of woman of color wearing flowers in her hair and kissing into the air toward the viewer.]
(via Sex Positive St. Louis » Blog Archive » Blue Supports SlutWalk)](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6eekfp0j41qgm6edo1_250.jpg)
“SlutWalk helps us keep our sexuality healthy from the diseases of fear, oppression, confusion, violence, self hate and fear of eachother.” Blue
[Image of woman of color wearing flowers in her hair and kissing into the air toward the viewer.]
(via Sex Positive St. Louis » Blog Archive » Blue Supports SlutWalk)
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“Clothes can’t talk. The women in them can. I listen to her voice, not her fabric.”
(via Tim Supports SlutWalk)
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Sex-Positive vs Trans* Equality
There is no “vs”.
I’ll re-emphasize:
THERE IS NO COMPETITION.
I don’t know where this epic battle originated nor why it’s perpetuated to the levels we’re seeing online (mostly targeted at Laci Green and at the so-called “Tumblr SJ Community”), but it has its roots in bullshit.
That’s right:
BULLSHIT.
Tonight I’m going camping with some awesome trans* peeps. We need body autonomy, we need positive sexuality, we need acceptance, we need the support of sex-positive community.
Tomorrow I’m going SlutWalking with some awesome sexpoz peeps. We need body autonomy, we need positive sexuality, we need acceptance, we need the support of the transgender community.
And you know what? Maybe some of us has let the others down on both sides. But we’re trying. We’re looking forward. We’re coming together tomorrow night for a Transgender Panel at SlutWalk (I’m going to see many of the same people at both events). There is respect, there is concern, and there is hopefully increased understanding and compassion for each other.
So when I see all this SELFISH FOOLISH BICKERING all over my Tumblr and my internets, I am hurt. I am drained of my optimism and hope. Yes, things may need to be said, and people may need to learn lessons. But when it fucking goes to 11 and stays that way for as long as this has, it’s time to get a fucking grip and either BECOME THE SOLUTION OR SIT THE FUCK DOWN AND SHUT THE FUCK UP.
Genderqueer with a touch of happy humanism.
