Intersectional Feminism and Liberation for Beginners: It’s Time to Move Beyond White Feminism

Messy Liberation

In this episode, Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive deep into what it means to begin and sustain the journey of liberation. This rich conversation covers topics such as intersectional feminism, transformative justice, Afrofuturism, and fat liberation. Becky and Taina discuss the complexities of dismantling harmful systems like capitalism and patriarchy, while exploring how to foster liberated relationships both personally and professionally. The episode touches on the importance of community care, radical self-care, and how these efforts contribute to building a more just world.

Discussed in this Episode:

1. Liberation as a Messy Process: Liberation isn’t linear or perfect. Becky and Taina explore the messiness of unlearning oppressive systems like patriarchy and capitalism while embracing the complexity and emotional labor involved in growth.
2. Intersectionality and Power Structures: The episode delves into how intersectional feminism, based on Kimberlé Crenshaw’s work, helps unpack the layers of oppression that people experience due to overlapping identities such as race, gender, and body size.
3. Community and Relationships in Justice Work: Building liberated relationships through community care is central to dismantling harmful structures. The hosts discuss how transformative justice and intentional relationships are key to personal and collective liberation.
4. Reimagining the Future through Afrofuturism and Fat Liberation: The conversation highlights Afrofuturism as a tool for imagining just futures and fat liberation as a framework for deconstructing body oppression. Both are powerful ways to reclaim agency and envision worlds where all people can thrive.

Resources Mentioned:

• "Emergent Strategy" by adrienne maree brown
• “How We Show Up” by Mia Birdsong
• “All About Love” by bell hooks
• “The Will to Change” by bell hooks
• “Feminism is for Everybody” by bell hooks
• “You Belong” by Sebenie Selassie
• “White Feminism” by Koa Beck
• “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler
• Mapping the Margins by Kimberlé Crenshaw
• “The Urgency of Intersectionality,” Kimberlé Crenshaw’s TED Talk

This episode is packed with reflections, frameworks, and actionable insights for those at various stages of their liberation journey. Whether you are new to intersectional feminism or deep in the work of transformative justice, this conversation will provide you with both theoretical grounding and practical tools to keep pushing forward.

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LEARN MORE:

• Taina Brown WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | THREADS
• Becky Mollenkamp WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | THREADS | FEMINIST FOUNDERS