Black women have been organizers; trailblazers; and supporters and leaders of everything from community nonprofits and counseling services to free health clinics and advocacy for children, disabled people, and students. Still, modern feminist activism and discussion often focuses on white women, sometimes to the exclusion of women of color. This year, the Women’s March focused on the importance of making true progress for all women—and both celebrating and fighting for the rights of black women. Read on to learn how this movement is working to become more inclusive.
By Marie Solis
LAS VEGAS—Black women are the next powerhouse force in American politics—and the Women’s March wants to help them be front and center in 2018 and beyond.
Speakers at this year’s “Power to the Polls” event on Sunday in Las Vegas gave special attention to women of color and black women especially, whose contributions to the feminist movement they said have been ignored and pushed to the side for too long.
“This march is being led by women of color,” Nina Turner, the president of Our Revolution, a Democratic political action organization, told a roaring crowd. “But…let me put a special message out to black women: Don’t let anyone make you feel marginalized. If you feel you aren’t getting the respect you deserve, do what [Congresswoman] Shirley Chisholm did—don’t just bring your own seat, kick down the door.”
Women’s March co-chair Carmen Perez put out a similar call to action, focusing on white women’s responsibility to create space for people of color within the movement and in the political arena.
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