“For a movement that is meant to represent all women, it often centers on those who already have most of their needs met.”
Kendall stresses that mainstream feminism is myopic in nature when it boils down to be all-inclusive for all women. The main agendas tackled by the movement are centered around the problems faced by financially stable women. Therefore, women from the low-income background are left out from the feminist discourse, as they already feel dissociated from the cause. Furthermore, women from lower-classes are secluded because they engage in professions that do not align by the ideologies set by the mainstream movement. Kendall asserts that feminism should go beyond its perimeters and frame basic needs for women as part of the agenda.
“For women of color, the expectation that we prioritize gender over race, that we treat the patriarchy as something that gives all men the same power, leaves many of us feeling isolated.”
Kendall advocates for the feminist movement to understand the intersectional variables that women of color have to deal with. For women of color, the issue of race comes before matters of gender because they have to cope with being marginalized in both spheres. Mainstream feminism views the patriarchy from the perspective of white women and disregards the disenfranchisement of men of color. Therefore, the women feel isolated, as the discourse does not include their perspective and their experience as women of color. Their gender issues can only be solved effectively if the solving of the racial divide is underway.
“Ignoring the treatment of the most marginalized women doesn't set a standard that can protect any woman.”
As a woman of color, Kendall understands the alienation that the movement poses on women that do not fit the mainstream dynamics. Therefore, observes a cycle of problems that are bound to arise if its ideologies remain centered on the privileged. She calls for a more progressive attitude to be incorporated and adopt a more intersectional approach. Consequently, marginalized women can feel included in the discourse regardless of their race, sexual orientation, culture, and class.
