Feminist Inclusivity

Abstract

Intersectionality and the promotion of inclusivity have been considered a cornerstone of this third wave of feminism (Zack, 2005). And yet the exclusion and marginalisation of specific groups of women remains a salient problem for feminist activists. Although both early and later third wave texts typically demonstrate a commitment to diversity (Walker, 1995; Redfern and Aune, 2010), certain groups and identities are more prominent than others are. Indeed some issues that affect specific groups of women continue to be addressed at a rather superficial level. Analysing feminist debates and modes of activism allows us to explore the extent to which inclusive discourse has been translated from theory to praxis. The dominance of white, middle-class able-bodied women continues to be an issue for feminism and feminists on both sides of the Atlantic (Zack, 2005; Penny, 2014). Whilst online spaces have ‘opened up’ potential sites for greater inclusivity, it is not always clear that those voices have real influence within the wider movement, specifically in terms of shaping campaign agendas. There is of course any number of specific group identities that could be explored in relation to feminist inclusivity. However, this chapter focuses on the most salient and contentious identity categories within feminist debate: race, trans, sexuality, age, class, and disability.