10 Ignorant Things You Should Never Say To A Black Feminist

Yet, people, even the well-meaning ones, still bombard Black feminists with questions and comments that undercut our commitment to equality. Most of these ignorant comments stem from a fundamental lack of understanding of what it means to be a Black feminist. Here it is, in a nutshell: Black Feminism arose when Black women realized their specific needs — racism and sexism, specifically — weren’t being addressed in the Black Power Movement or the Women’s Rights Movement. We were constantly told to address either sexism or racism, even though these identities are inextricably bound for us.
I’ve identified as a Black feminist since 2012, and it’s unbelievably frustrating to be misunderstood.
So, I’ve compiled a handy list of idiotic shit you should not say when you encounter a Black Feminist like me: Beyoncé, literally, stood in front an emblazoned feminist sign during MTV’s Video Music Awards. Nicki Minaj has highlighted how vocal women are treated differently than men. Rihanna’s song “Man Down,” is all about a woman overcoming a sexual assault. How much more feminist should they be? I guess showing some skin and twerking makes them less feminist. I get it: The male gaze sucks. But get this: Black women have been subverting the male gaze for a long time. And actually, it’s revolutionary for Black women, who’ve been painted as sexually deviant to find pleasure in their bodies. This line is particularly grating coming from white feminists who so readily highlight male privilege, but can’t see their own. Steinem may have founded Ms. Magazine, but she didn’t do it alone. And hello, she even admitted this past March at Black Enterprise’s Women of Power Summit that Black women taught her feminism. In the words of the patron saint of classy clap backs, Beyoncé, we’ve been on. Stop erasing us. Also: Tone-policing simply derails important conversations. Whether I’m cussing or speaking “politely,” my message remains the same: Stop contributing to oppressive systems. Plus, I love being Black. Denying a part of my identity to justify your racism is unacceptable. For example, mainstream feminists love toting out the “women make 79 cents to every $1 a man makes.” That stat only applies to white women, since Black and Latina women make much less. Recognizing how race, sexuality, and other intersections impact women of color, and standing with them, is the ultimate act of sisterhood. White women’s tears have ruined lives and changed history. Also, white women are notorious cultural appropriators. Miley Cyrus, anybody? What about the co-opting of “squad goals,” “on fleek,” and a number of other words that originated in Black communities, but are credited to white women? You’ve harmed us too, so no. However, when we’re having conversations about the ways that Black women have been oppressed, piping up with “not all white feminists” derails the convo and places the spotlight back on you. Allyship is not eating up space with your feelings.
There’s a social media saying that I love: “Shhh! It’s Black girl time.” That applies here. Don’t be this person. We’re not indicting you. We’re indicting the system.

title: “10 Ignorant Things You Should Never Say To A Black Feminist” ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-02” author: “Sheila Mccray”

Yet, people, even the well-meaning ones, still bombard Black feminists with questions and comments that undercut our commitment to equality. Most of these ignorant comments stem from a fundamental lack of understanding of what it means to be a Black feminist. Here it is, in a nutshell: Black Feminism arose when Black women realized their specific needs — racism and sexism, specifically — weren’t being addressed in the Black Power Movement or the Women’s Rights Movement. We were constantly told to address either sexism or racism, even though these identities are inextricably bound for us.
I’ve identified as a Black feminist since 2012, and it’s unbelievably frustrating to be misunderstood.
So, I’ve compiled a handy list of idiotic shit you should not say when you encounter a Black Feminist like me: Beyoncé, literally, stood in front an emblazoned feminist sign during MTV’s Video Music Awards. Nicki Minaj has highlighted how vocal women are treated differently than men. Rihanna’s song “Man Down,” is all about a woman overcoming a sexual assault. How much more feminist should they be? I guess showing some skin and twerking makes them less feminist. I get it: The male gaze sucks. But get this: Black women have been subverting the male gaze for a long time. And actually, it’s revolutionary for Black women, who’ve been painted as sexually deviant to find pleasure in their bodies. This line is particularly grating coming from white feminists who so readily highlight male privilege, but can’t see their own. Steinem may have founded Ms. Magazine, but she didn’t do it alone. And hello, she even admitted this past March at Black Enterprise’s Women of Power Summit that Black women taught her feminism. In the words of the patron saint of classy clap backs, Beyoncé, we’ve been on. Stop erasing us. Also: Tone-policing simply derails important conversations. Whether I’m cussing or speaking “politely,” my message remains the same: Stop contributing to oppressive systems. Plus, I love being Black. Denying a part of my identity to justify your racism is unacceptable. For example, mainstream feminists love toting out the “women make 79 cents to every $1 a man makes.” That stat only applies to white women, since Black and Latina women make much less. Recognizing how race, sexuality, and other intersections impact women of color, and standing with them, is the ultimate act of sisterhood. White women’s tears have ruined lives and changed history. Also, white women are notorious cultural appropriators. Miley Cyrus, anybody? What about the co-opting of “squad goals,” “on fleek,” and a number of other words that originated in Black communities, but are credited to white women? You’ve harmed us too, so no. However, when we’re having conversations about the ways that Black women have been oppressed, piping up with “not all white feminists” derails the convo and places the spotlight back on you. Allyship is not eating up space with your feelings.
There’s a social media saying that I love: “Shhh! It’s Black girl time.” That applies here. Don’t be this person. We’re not indicting you. We’re indicting the system.

title: “10 Ignorant Things You Should Never Say To A Black Feminist” ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-09” author: “Tyrell Santos”

Yet, people, even the well-meaning ones, still bombard Black feminists with questions and comments that undercut our commitment to equality. Most of these ignorant comments stem from a fundamental lack of understanding of what it means to be a Black feminist. Here it is, in a nutshell: Black Feminism arose when Black women realized their specific needs — racism and sexism, specifically — weren’t being addressed in the Black Power Movement or the Women’s Rights Movement. We were constantly told to address either sexism or racism, even though these identities are inextricably bound for us.
I’ve identified as a Black feminist since 2012, and it’s unbelievably frustrating to be misunderstood.
So, I’ve compiled a handy list of idiotic shit you should not say when you encounter a Black Feminist like me: Beyoncé, literally, stood in front an emblazoned feminist sign during MTV’s Video Music Awards. Nicki Minaj has highlighted how vocal women are treated differently than men. Rihanna’s song “Man Down,” is all about a woman overcoming a sexual assault. How much more feminist should they be? I guess showing some skin and twerking makes them less feminist. I get it: The male gaze sucks. But get this: Black women have been subverting the male gaze for a long time. And actually, it’s revolutionary for Black women, who’ve been painted as sexually deviant to find pleasure in their bodies. This line is particularly grating coming from white feminists who so readily highlight male privilege, but can’t see their own. Steinem may have founded Ms. Magazine, but she didn’t do it alone. And hello, she even admitted this past March at Black Enterprise’s Women of Power Summit that Black women taught her feminism. In the words of the patron saint of classy clap backs, Beyoncé, we’ve been on. Stop erasing us. Also: Tone-policing simply derails important conversations. Whether I’m cussing or speaking “politely,” my message remains the same: Stop contributing to oppressive systems. Plus, I love being Black. Denying a part of my identity to justify your racism is unacceptable. For example, mainstream feminists love toting out the “women make 79 cents to every $1 a man makes.” That stat only applies to white women, since Black and Latina women make much less. Recognizing how race, sexuality, and other intersections impact women of color, and standing with them, is the ultimate act of sisterhood. White women’s tears have ruined lives and changed history. Also, white women are notorious cultural appropriators. Miley Cyrus, anybody? What about the co-opting of “squad goals,” “on fleek,” and a number of other words that originated in Black communities, but are credited to white women? You’ve harmed us too, so no. However, when we’re having conversations about the ways that Black women have been oppressed, piping up with “not all white feminists” derails the convo and places the spotlight back on you. Allyship is not eating up space with your feelings.
There’s a social media saying that I love: “Shhh! It’s Black girl time.” That applies here. Don’t be this person. We’re not indicting you. We’re indicting the system.

title: “10 Ignorant Things You Should Never Say To A Black Feminist” ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-29” author: “Chris Rameriez”

Yet, people, even the well-meaning ones, still bombard Black feminists with questions and comments that undercut our commitment to equality. Most of these ignorant comments stem from a fundamental lack of understanding of what it means to be a Black feminist. Here it is, in a nutshell: Black Feminism arose when Black women realized their specific needs — racism and sexism, specifically — weren’t being addressed in the Black Power Movement or the Women’s Rights Movement. We were constantly told to address either sexism or racism, even though these identities are inextricably bound for us.
I’ve identified as a Black feminist since 2012, and it’s unbelievably frustrating to be misunderstood.
So, I’ve compiled a handy list of idiotic shit you should not say when you encounter a Black Feminist like me: Beyoncé, literally, stood in front an emblazoned feminist sign during MTV’s Video Music Awards. Nicki Minaj has highlighted how vocal women are treated differently than men. Rihanna’s song “Man Down,” is all about a woman overcoming a sexual assault. How much more feminist should they be? I guess showing some skin and twerking makes them less feminist. I get it: The male gaze sucks. But get this: Black women have been subverting the male gaze for a long time. And actually, it’s revolutionary for Black women, who’ve been painted as sexually deviant to find pleasure in their bodies. This line is particularly grating coming from white feminists who so readily highlight male privilege, but can’t see their own. Steinem may have founded Ms. Magazine, but she didn’t do it alone. And hello, she even admitted this past March at Black Enterprise’s Women of Power Summit that Black women taught her feminism. In the words of the patron saint of classy clap backs, Beyoncé, we’ve been on. Stop erasing us. Also: Tone-policing simply derails important conversations. Whether I’m cussing or speaking “politely,” my message remains the same: Stop contributing to oppressive systems. Plus, I love being Black. Denying a part of my identity to justify your racism is unacceptable. For example, mainstream feminists love toting out the “women make 79 cents to every $1 a man makes.” That stat only applies to white women, since Black and Latina women make much less. Recognizing how race, sexuality, and other intersections impact women of color, and standing with them, is the ultimate act of sisterhood. White women’s tears have ruined lives and changed history. Also, white women are notorious cultural appropriators. Miley Cyrus, anybody? What about the co-opting of “squad goals,” “on fleek,” and a number of other words that originated in Black communities, but are credited to white women? You’ve harmed us too, so no. However, when we’re having conversations about the ways that Black women have been oppressed, piping up with “not all white feminists” derails the convo and places the spotlight back on you. Allyship is not eating up space with your feelings.
There’s a social media saying that I love: “Shhh! It’s Black girl time.” That applies here. Don’t be this person. We’re not indicting you. We’re indicting the system.