What I Want My White Feminist Friends to Know

Channel your feminism into advocacy that extends beyond your own benefit.

Hi, white friends. Let’s get to it: You and I have work to do.

As I’m sure you’re learning, in the grand scheme of privilege, you and I are very, very lucky. In that privilege we both have an important role to step up and take. We’ve been silent and complacent for a long time.

As you rally for feminism, I want you to understand the ways your Black sisters can be stereotyped and devalued and harmed every day of their lives. I want you to acknowledge the generations of work Black women have put into organizing, educating, and protecting. I want you to realize your feminism may be limiting and harmful and selfish because it centers white feminists like you.

I want you to find some way, somehow, to stand in the middle of a room, neighborhood, or city where you are not the majority and see what that feels like. I want you to take steps to expand your network into places where you can learn from and appreciate Black women. They have so, so much to teach us. I want you to understand why some people may distrust you or dislike you, and to not take it personally and double down, but strive to listen with an open mind and empathize with the fear.