Let’s Talk About White Women

We stand at a puzzling intersection of privilege and marginalization

Image compiled by author in Canva Pro.

It is somewhat ridiculous, of course, to talk about white women. We are as diverse as any other intersection of race and gender, representing a broad spectrum of political, professional, and personal identities.

That said, there are some things that white women in the United States have in common. To varying degrees, we have all been marginalized because of our gender. And to varying degrees, we have all enjoyed privileges because of our race.

Throughout most of recent human history, we have had to answer to white men, and throughout most of recent human history, we have also helped white men maintain the status quo.

We have been their adversaries and their sycophants. We have fought them for the right to vote, the right to participate in public life, the right to earn our own living, the right to make decisions about our own bodies.

We have also, when push comes to shove, helped them maintain power. For a recent reference point, see: the 2016 presidential election.

My partner, a Black man, has a complicated relationship with white women. Most of his supervisors have been white women. Most of the HR personnel he’s dealt with have been white women. Most of…