We need to talk about “aesthetic feminism” because it is a huge barrier as to why we aren’t progressing in society. Your feminism should not end at a heavily privileged person telling you “you’re a goddess” and with you sharing a pretty infographic.

That’s not feminism.

Aesthetic feminism is often something that a lot of white, cisgendered, heterosexual, thin, privileged women engage in.

Your feminism needs to be challenging because what we’re hearing and seeing is so many injustices in our society, they should be making us uncomfortable.

Within feminism we shouldn’t “settle”, it’s not easy to discuss a lot of feminist issues, I get it. It can be very challenging but that doesn’t mean the issues have gone.

A lot of the narratives that you hear from cishet, white, thin, conventionally attractive, privileged “activists” are the REAL experiences of those who are in marginalised communities. Surely we should be amplifying them? Listening to them? Learning from them? Praising THEM?

Feminism that isn’t intersectional isn’t feminism. And by this I don’t mean performative intersectionality. I’ve engaged in that too and I took the time to learn what intersectionality ACTUALLY is and how to engage it within my life, activism and surroundings.

As a white woman do I speak from experience on racial issues? No. I amplify those who have those experiences.

As a cis woman do I speak from experience on trans issues? No. I amplify those who have those experiences.

So why do SO many “feminists/activists” take over the microphone and not pass it on? Why do SO many people continue to engage with that? Because they are used to aesthetic feminism and “activism” where the person saying it, pleases them aesthetically, that’s not feminism.

I’ve made this thread as a following reply only, purely because people need to listen to this.

And one final point about aesthetic feminism, it’s something many privileged people profit off. Vile right?

(There’s nothing wrong with earning a living but at least don’t profit off people’s trauma and lived experiences just because it means you can then buy a house in London at the age of 22)

I encourage you all to read this piece written by the incredible @vnbrkl !!!!!!! https://elcofresuena.es/lgtb-y-feminismo/feminism-doesnt-need-any-more-repackaging-it-needs-intersectionality/

And if you want some wonderful intersectional feminists and activists to engage with, check the list out below! https://twitter.com/fatpheebs/status/1335956546346504193